Health, Safety, and Travel
Pre-Internship
The Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) diligently collaborates with the on-campus Student Health Services (SHS) that employs certified international travel medical professionals. Some of the requirements for HNGR interns prior to departure include:
- Become educated about: 1) disease processes existing in their host countries; 2) pre-existing disease processes the student is experiencing; 3) bloodborne pathogens and prevention of exposure; 4) symptoms and self treatment for non-emergency illnesses (e.g., colds, diarrhea, etc.).
- Receive a health physical
- Obtain a list of required and recommended vaccinations and medications and the opportunity to receive the vaccinations through SHS.
Insurance
As a Wheaton College student participating in an international off-campus program, HNGR students are provided coverage by Wheaton College’s institutional insurance policies during the duration of their HNGR internship, including medevac insurance, liability insurance, and travel accident and sickness insurance. Students should carefully consider and discuss with their parent(s) regarding whether and what type of insurance should be acquired in addition to Wheaton College’s institutional insurance.
Immunizations
Immunizations should begin at least three months prior to departure. For those HNGR interns needing several vaccines, the process may be over the course of several weeks. The following immunizations, boosters, or medications are common: Antimalarial, Antidiarrheals, Hepatitis A/B, Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Rabies, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, Typhoid, Yellow Fever
During Internship
Health
During the internship, HNGR students following the program's triage protocol. Some of the interns' requirements during their internship include:
- Carry an up-to-date small First Aid kit with them at all times.
- Map their community's health resources (e.g. reputable physicians, clinics, hospitals and pharmacies).
- Regularly dialogue with the HNGR program's Student Support Coordinator, a licensed clinical professional counselor, our full time staff person designated to respond to health, safety, and travel concerns.
Safety
HNGR interns are required to send bi-weekly assessment letters to the office documenting their academic, spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being throughout the 6 months. Students are required to map their host community's health/safety resources. The HNGR program utilizes a 4-level incident reporting protocol for responding to certain events.
Post-Internship
Returned HNGR interns are expected to have a post-physical at SHS, a complete blood count drawn, and a Tuberculosis test 1-3 months following their return. In addition, all students are required to follow up with the HNGR program's Student Support Coordinator throughout their final semester on campus to debrief their safety, health, and travel issues that arose during the internship.