Staying Healthy

Like all college students, you will need a few months to acclimate to your new surroundings. As an international student, moreover, you will probably experience a form of “culture shock” when you suddenly find yourself immersed in a new environment with a different schedule, different customs, and different foods than you are used to. Moving overseas can produce feelings of disorientation and transition to varying degrees in almost everyone. It can be especially difficult to move from a familiar setting where you may have many friends and family to a large city such as New York, which is busy, fast-paced and at times impersonal. During the first few months, if you feel isolated, “different” or as though you don’t “fit in,” don’t worry—this is a completely normal reaction which will pass as you adjust to living in a new country. It is important to be able to communicate the way you’re feeling; talk to your international student advisor or college mentor, or get involved with other international students who will probably have experienced similar feelings at some stage. Metro International runs many programs that bring international students together for different activities— why not join a Metro program and make friends with others who understand how you are feeling!

At times the stress of a new environment may also take a toll on your body. It is extremely important to eat well (limit your intake of fatty fast foods and be sure to add fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily diet), to exercise, and to sleep for a reasonable number of hours per night. You should also know how to seek help in the event that you require medical attention.

Medical Insurance

Medical service in the United States is not nationalized and is therefore very expensive. Many U.S. residents participate in private health insurance plans that cover their hospital, doctor, and dentist fees up to a specified maximum cost. The terms of your U.S. visa require that you and any accompanying family members are adequately covered by health insurance. Most academic institutions have either a compulsory or an optional insurance plan, with coverage available for their students’ families at an additional cost. See your international student advisor for policy information and referrals to appropriate insurance companies.

Once you are enrolled with a health insurance provider, you will receive a card with an ID number. You should carry this with you at all times in case of an emergency.

Physicians

Many universities and colleges have a campus health service with nurses and doctors who provide medical treatment free or for a reduced fee. Often these centers treat only general, common complaints such as colds or the flu, but if you require specialized attention, they are prepared to refer you to an outside specialist. It’s always a good idea to consult your campus health service first before deciding whether or not to see a physician outside of school, which can cost several hundred dollars.

If you do choose to use a non-campus health service physician, it makes sense to establish contact before you become ill so that you will know where to turn when you have a medical problem. To find a personal physician, ask for referrals from people you know or from your school’s health service. Other options include contacting the hospital in your neighborhood or your local county medical society. New York physicians’ schedules tend to be full, and they may only accept appointments for two or three weeks in advance. If you are sick and need an appointment right away, you should make this clear when you call and be firm about your urgent need to see the doctor.

Hospitals

All New York City hospitals, both private and public (city and/or state operated), offer short-term, long-term, and emergency treatment.

“Out-Patient” clinics provide short-term care. These clinics provide services similar to those of private doctors when you are ill but do not need to stay in the hospital. They are usually staffed by interns and residents (doctors who have recently completed medical school and are pursuing further training) who are supervised by more senior attending physicians. As a rule, there can be a long wait before you get to see a medical attendant in an out-patient clinic, but these clinics often provide access to specialists who would be much more expensive if seen privately. This is particularly true in teaching hospitals (those affiliated with medical schools).

“In-Patient” treatment is the longer-term care that you receive when you are admitted into the hospital. The hospital where you are treated is determined by your doctor’s hospital affiliation; every doctor is required to affiliate with a specific hospital in order to be able to admit patients.

If you have a serious emergency and do not know a doctor, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are too ill to get to the hospital, call an ambulance by dialing 911 on the telephone (but note that there will be a substantial charge for ambulance service if this is not covered by your health insurance). Emergency rooms always give priority to the most seriously ill patients, so if your problem is not life-threatening, you can expect to wait a long time before you receive treatment.

Dental Care

Like physicians, dentists with private practices can be expensive. The health service at your school may be able to recommend a dentist in your neighborhood. Both Columbia and New York University offer dental clinics that are open to the general public for fees that are much lower than those charged by private dentists. The work is performed by dental students under the supervision of trained dentists.

Call for hours and appointments:

Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery

Information on all six Columbia University dental locations: www.dental.columbia.edu/patients/index
    Dental Center of New York University
345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010
(212) 998-9870 www.nyu.edu/dental

If you are unable to reach your dentist and require immediate attention, call the Emergency Dental Service at (212) 573-9502 for a referral to a dentist in your area who can see you right away.

Pharmacies

Medication that has been prescribed by your physician can be purchased at a pharmacy or drugstore. You must present the slip of paper on which your doctor has written your prescription and wait (usually 15–60 minutes) to obtain your medication. Pharmacists are medical professionals and can answer many questions about the medication you have been prescribed. Check out the pharmacies in your area to find one that is convenient and that accepts your medical insurance. Most neighborhoods have a drugstore that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mental Health Care

It is not uncommon for college students to undergo periods of stress related to schoolwork, career decisions, and personal or social issues. Should anxieties or negative feelings persist or begin to interfere with your everyday well-being, you may wish to discuss them with a professional. Try to remember that feeling under stress or unable to cope, or suffering from a condition such as depression, is not embarrassing or something to be ashamed of. Most likely your university health service has a confidential mental health/counseling division that is free of charge or partially subsidized for a limited number of visits. If you feel more comfortable seeking independent help, your campus health service should be able to make a confidential referral to a reliable counselor. Otherwise you may contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Referral Service at (800) 543-3638 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).

Women’s Health Care

New York City offers a full range of health services for women. For general information and specific doctor referrals, call 311 and ask for Women’s Health Services. Planned Parenthood clinics offer reliable and inexpensive gynecological services, including birth control. For an appointment or information call (212) 965-7000 or (800) 230-PLAN (800-230-7526), or go to www.ppnyc.org.

In addition to these services, there are many toll-free crisis “hotline” telephone numbers you can call in the event of a mental health emergency. Hotline calls are handled confidentially by counselors trained in specific issues.