For many university students, May is the end of the spring term and the beginning of summer freedom. Many Canadian students may want to spend some the summer off exploring the world, and that’s a great idea. However, as you shop the internet for great flight and hotel deals, here are a few more things you should be keeping in mind.
Travel Health Insurance.
Whenever you leave your home province you may need travel health insurance. Travel health insurance is a private health care insurance that enables you to afford medical treatments in places where your provincial care doesn’t cover you. Most provinces have deals that allow their residents to travel to other parts of Canada, but even if you’re travelling nationally, it’s worth making sure that you have coverage. And, if you’re going abroad, you’ll definitely need insurance.
Young Canadians often feel as though they’re healthy enough to just risk traveling without insurance, but young adults and students are at an increased risk for injury compared to older Canadians when traveling. And, while your immune system may do an excellent job of fighting off the common diseases and biting insects in your home province, you may still react badly or get ill when exposed to new viruses and bugs.
Check in with your Health Practitioner.
Whether you’re heading for an adventure in the Amazon rainforest or want to traverse the great wall of China, it’s important to speak with your doctor before you leave. We’ve already mentioned that other countries may have diseases, viruses, and biting bugs that we don’t have in Canada. This means you need to know what recommendations exist in order to not get sick. Malaria affects over 100 countries, zika is a challenge for southern nations, including parts of the USA, and tap water may not be safe in some areas. Your health practitioner can offer you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about vaccines, medications, and your health.
We love to hear about Canadians who are leaving their home province to explore the rest of the world. But it’s important to use caution and plan ahead. If you’re thinking about taking an exciting trip to another country or province, talk to the experts at Health Risk. We can help you find the health insurance you need for your unique trip, and we can offer suggestions on what supplies and vaccinations will help to make your trip a success!
