Maintaining good health while traveling requires at least a minimum of forethought. Air travel and living away home disrupt patterns of sleep, exercise, and eating. Water bottles, comfortable footwear, and snacks can make the difference between happy and unhappy travel experiences. Medications and medical insurance cards should be kept in carry-on luggage in the event that checked baggage goes astray.

Students are urged to inform their instructors of any significant medical conditions. Some instructors, in fact, will require students to complete an Informed Consent that provides space for information of this kind. A visit to Student Health or to the family physician may help travelers anticipate individual difficulties and provide valuable information about travel to certain parts of the world. If immunizations are necessary, doctor's visits should be scheduled six to eight weeks in advance of departure. General advice and information about specific destinations are available at cdc.gov under "Travelers' Health."

In case of illness or injury, trip leaders will make sure that tour members receive medical care. However, in order to avoid unnecessary expenses students should make sure their coverage is adequate and complete the program's required Medical Insurance Waiver.