Staying Safe and Healthy While Traveling With Remote Year
24. May. 2022
Whether you’re about to log on in Lima, hop on safari in Cape Town, or hit the beach in Valencia, we’re sharing our favorite travel tips for staying safe and healthy while on the road with Remote Year. From travel insurance and emergency contacts to vaccines and prescriptions, our ultimate guide has you covered when it comes to navigating health and safety on our programs.
Disclaimer: Please do not use this guide as official medical advice. Remote Year cannot advise on personal medical needs, and we recommend speaking with a doctor, nurse, or insurance company before traveling.
Staying active on the road
Navigating travel insurance like a pro Investing in travel insurance gives you peace of mind as you venture to new destinations around the world. At Remote Year, we want your experience to be as seamless as it is unforgettable, which is why travel insurance is required for all Remote Year programs.
When it comes to picking out travel insurance, options vary depending on your travel plans, country of origin, and the level of coverage you’re comfortable with. It’s important to research which option(s) work best for you! If you have any travel credit cards, check the fine print. They may offer comprehensive travel insurance depending on purchases made using the card.
Here’s a few types of travel insurance to consider:
Travel health insurance: speaks to medical coverage and medical evacuation. Comprehensive trip coverage: handles trip cancellations, lost and damaged baggage, and missing items.
Property insurance: placed on expensive items such as laptops, headphones, and phones, in case of loss, damage, or theft.
Note: It’s extremely important to assess your health-related needs before traveling internationally, which is why travel insurance is required to take part in any Remote Year program. Each Remote Year traveler is responsible for researching and purchasing their own travel insurance before Remote Year begins.
You may also want to check out these resources, which Remote Year travelers find helpful:
Remote Year may receive commission for some travel insurance options purchased through these links. 100% of the proceeds Remote Year receives through these commissions are used for positive impact opportunities.
Group staring at a view
Getting the right vaccinations before you go
When traveling to new countries, it’s always a good idea to check which vaccinations (if any) are required for entry. Scroll through the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) "Complete List of Destinations" to find the destination(s) you'll be traveling to with Remote Year and discover if any vaccinations are needed before you depart.
Vaccine requirements on the CDC website may change before your departure date, so it’s best to book an appointment at a travel clinic before your adventure. Some vaccinations require multiple doctor visits, so you’ll want to make an appointment in advance so you’re ready for your adventure.
When it comes to vaccinations, Remote Year travelers head to these resources:
Passport Health: a travel clinic with 250+ locations throughout the US, provides in-depth information about particular vaccinations.
Travel Vaccination Guide: pro tips from the Expert Vagabond, Matthew Karsten.
This Vaccination Guide: includes thoughts and learnings from current and past Remote Year travelers.
Group hike
Traveling with prescriptions and handling refills while on the road
Traveling with prescriptions? Different immigration offices have different protocols, so you’ll want to learn how the destination(s) you’re heading to handle traveling with medication.
Need a prescription refilled? Be sure to research the destination(s) you're visiting to manage your prescription refills. Some countries issue prescription drugs through a pharmacist, without a doctor's issuing. Others are strict on what you can purchase or bring into the country.
Remote Year travelers find these resources helpful:
A 6-Step Checklist for Traveling with Medications: a licensed travel insurance agent lends his expertise.
Traveling with Medications: a long-term traveler breaks down what it's like to travel with medication.
How to Make Sure You Travel with Medication Legally: the New York Times drops some knowledge on the topic.
Medicine in Japan: a compilation of information that has been found regarding bringing medicine into Japan, as the country has strict rules about drugs allowed through customs (including over-the-counter medicine and prescriptions).
Living Remote Year with Diabetes: a Remote Year traveler with type 1 Diabetes discusses her journey.
Group experience
Getting medical help around the world
Remote Year partners withInternational SOS to provide our travelers with medical healthcare and security assistance while abroad. While not a travel insurance or a medical provider, ISOS is a security risk services company that cares for clients across the globe and is connected to 1,400 doctors and 200 security specialists. On Remote Year, you will have access to their services for your everyday assistance needs as well as any emergency assistance.
Note: You'll receive more detailed information about your ISOS coverage, like your membership ID, before your Arrival Day. At your program orientation, your Community Leader will ensure you are able to download the ISOS app so you have access to ISOS services throughout your Remote Year program. Maintaining your health while traveling
Between changing time zones, frequent air travel, and new adventures, it may be easy for your immune system to get a little sidetracked. Eating balanced meals, getting enough rest, and staying active are all great ways to practice healthy travel habits while on the road. You’ll also want to stay hydrated - it’s helpful to always have a water bottle on you. Be sure to check the quality of drinking water in your destination(s), and switch to bottled water when recommended. When hiking, hitting the beach, or exploring outdoors, be sure to load up on sunscreen throughout the day. Staying safe while you explore
Sometimes while traveling it’s easy to get swept up in the moment! And that’s great. But it’s always important to practice safety tips during your travels. Always remember to have an accountability buddy (you’ll have plenty within your Remote Year program), and be sure to check in when exploring the city.
When it comes to protecting important documents and personal possessions, be sure to invest in anti-theft baggage, and always carry personal belongings close when venturing out. In a case of theft, bring a spare credit card and always store important documents in your carry-on, as well as copies of your passport.
Covid traveling
Navigating travel with COVID-19 policies
Since 2020, traveling both domestically and abroad has been updated with COVID-19 pandemic policies. Under advice from the CDC, countries have taken different steps to promote safety for you and for their citizens. Here are three steps you’ll want to take when traveling:
Make sure you’re aware of what’s covered under COVID-19 expenses, such as changes to travel plans & unexpected accommodation costs for isolation.
Check on COVID-19 vaccination requirements, or negative PCR test requirements before leaving on Remote Year.
To stay healthy against contracting COVID-19, wear masks when advised, pack hand sanitizer, and practice social distancing when required.
Note: You can read Remote Year’s COVID-19 policyhere.
Whether you’re logging on in Lisbon, surfing in Bali, or climbing volcanoes in Antigua, our goal is to ensure that you have an incredible adventure. Your health and safety is important to us, and we hope these resources help to give you peace of mind before exploring with Remote Year. We can’t wait for you to join us on the road!
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