Aarhus School of Business
International Office
April 2009
HEALTH AND SAFETY
GUIDE
Health and Safety Guide
Introduction
This Health and Safety Guide is meant to help you stay safe while you are studying abroad
and contains advice from the International Office and International Student Counsellor as
well
as
relevant
information
from
the
Study
Abroad
web
site
at
http://www.asb.dk/studyabroad. This guide is also available for download from the
Study Abroad web site.
The Health and Safety guide is relevant for all students both exchange and freemover
students who will spend a semester studying abroad. However, as it is virtually impossible
for us to maintain the relevant information for non-Danish students, you are advised to
check with your national authorities about the specific rules that apply to non-Danish
citizens.
2
Health and Safety Guide
HEALTH MEASURES
Medical Insurance
Before you leave it is very important that you check up on your insurance agreements -it
is of utmost importance to be insured and to have the right insurance when spending a
study period abroad! Hopefully, you will never have to use the insurance, but please save
yourself and your family any bad experiences and take out the necessary insurance before
you leave.
During your study period abroad you are NOT covered by your yellow National Health
Insurance card (sygesikringsbevis), not even in the EU!
Within the Nordic Countries
If you travel to a Nordic country and you are a Nordic citizen you are covered by the
medical insurance of the visiting country if you bring an Internordic certificate of change
of address available at the Civil Registration Office (Folkeregistret).
Be aware that the certificate does not cover self-payment for treatment or prescriptions at
the local physician’s, home transport in case of serious illness, accidents or death. Nor
does the certificate give the possibility for close relatives to travel to the country you are
in and accompany you home. In order to be insured against such matters within the
Nordic countries you must take out a separate, private insurance.
If you travel to a Nordic country and you are not a Nordic citizen, you should check with
your national authorities which rules apply for you and you will most likely have to take
out personal insurance.
Within the EU
Mistakenly, people think that if they study in Europe it is not necessary to be insured
beyond the “yellow card”. However, you do need to be further insured !!!
If you are an EU citizen and travel to another EU country, you need to bring the European
Health Insurance Card. The European Health Insurance Card was introduced in Denmark
and 13 other European countries on the 1st of June 2004 and will be introduced in the
remaining European countries by end 2005. The European Health Insurance card replaces
the E128/E111 forms and makes the procedures concerning medical treatment abroad
easier.
3
Health and Safety Guide
The European Health Insurance card now covers emergency treatment (such as sudden
accidents and illnesses) and general medical treatment on terms equal to the country's
own citizens. The European Health Insurance Card is available from the Social Security
Office in the municipality you live in (in Aarhus available at “socialforvaltningens
områdekontor”) However, these are NOT necessarily the same conditions that you are
used to in Denmark. In order for the form to be valid, you must also remember to register
with the local authorities.
Please be aware that the European Health Insurance Card does not cover self-payment for
treatment or prescriptions at the local physician’s, home transport in case of serious
illness, accidents or death. Nor does the European Health Insurance Card give the
possibility for close relatives to travel to the country you are in and accompany you home.
In order to be insured against such matters within the EU you must take out a separate,
private insurance.
If you travel to an EU country and you are not an EU citizen, you should check with your
national authorities which rules apply for you and you will most likely have to take out
personal insurance.
Outside the EU
For students going overseas it is EXTREMELY important that you take out insurance before
you leave. This should also include home transportation and self-payment.
Your host institution may in some cases require that you buy a specific health insurance.
However, this will often not be enough to also cover e.g. home transportation or the
travelling period before or after your studies abroad.
Do make a specific and additional insurance for your study period abroad!!!
This is NOT an area where you should try to save money when thinking about spending a
semester studying abroad.
For further information on tailored student insurance at a reasonable price please go to:
www.studenterforsikring.dk. This is a new offer of insurance for study periods abroad
which has been developed in cooperation with the universities. There is also an English
version available at the bottom of the page.
You can contact [email protected] or call (+45) 33 15 30 99 Monday till Friday
from 8-22 for assistance.

Please also see the section about insurance under Practical Measures !
4
Health and Safety Guide
Medical Help
Upon arrival at your study destination it is a good idea to find out how the hospital system
works and how you go to the doctor’s so you do not need to spend time and energy
finding out when you need them.
At the local pharmacies in Denmark you can pick up a “holiday dictionary” that contains
translations of most common illnesses and medications in the main languages.
If you should be in need of medical help abroad and are asked to pay for it immediately,
make sure to keep all receipts for a later refund through your insurance company.
Vaccinations
It is always a good idea to keep yourself informed of special diseases or other that may
exist in the country you are going to, especially if you plan on going to more “exotic”
places! You may need a number of vaccinations before you go. Contact you own physician
or the Serum Institute (+45 70 22 07 02) for further information. Check also
www.vaccination.dk.
Assault Incidents
It is always a good idea upon arrival to find and write down the most common emergency
numbers such as the local emergency “112”/”911” number, the number of the local police
station, fire station, embassy, etc. for easy reference.
Should you unluckily be put in a situation where you have been exposed to brutal violence
or rape, you should contact the local police immediately and also the International Office
at the host institution, which can be of assistance to you.
As soon as you are able to escape from the scene you should seek help immediately –
from the nearest surroundings or the police. It is best to contact the police straight away.
Furthermore, you should also contact the nearest embassy in order to receive help about
your legal rights etc. You should also contact the International Office at the host
institution so they can be of assistance in this difficult and unfortunate situation.
In connection with rape it is very important to go to the nearest rape centre (or hospital)
to be examined. Do not clean up/wash before going. Remember that it is not a shame and
not something you need to hide. It is not your fault and it does help to talk about it.
5
Health and Safety Guide
How to prevent assault incidents
Assaults often happen when people are intoxicated or agitated. Therefore, it is important
to keep your cool and not lose your temper. If possible, step away from the situation.
The following precautions may help to get you out of a possible violent situation:
- Do not show that you are afraid.
- Do not lose your temper

Use a kind but assertive voice

Apologise if you have been a part of an incident

Avoid further discussion

Do not talk back

Leave the spot quietly and unnoticed if at all possible

If there are other people present communicate to them what is happening

If all else fails - run to safety
Arrests
Should you be arrested in connection with theft, accidents, violent incidents, vandalism,
possession and/or use of drugs, demonstration or other, remember to ask for permission
to contact the nearest embassy or consulate and you host institution.
Do not resist arrest! It is much easier to get help if you have behaved “properly”.
Remember that the police and the juridical system in your host country may be very
different from that of Denmark or of your home country and the penalties may be much
more severe.
Arrest may also result in deportation. This not only means that you will not be able to
complete your study period abroad but also that you may be prohibited from entering the
country in question for a longer period of time.
6
Health and Safety Guide
EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS - CULTURE CHANGES
Studying in another country and culture can create emotional problems and anxiety, often
due to a mild degree of homesickness or culture shock.
Culture Shock
Culture shock is the name given to a feeling of disorientation or confusion that often
occurs when a person leaves a familiar place for another, unfamiliar place.
When you go to live and study in another country you will without doubt encounter a
multitude of new things; You can not really find your way around. The food is not the
same as it is at home and the water tastes different. People speak in a strange language
and look and dress differently. University rules are different and the way of studying is
strange and difficult. Your family and friends are very far away and the people you live
with are weird.
As a result of all this you may feel confused, unsure of yourself and doubt whether your
decision to go abroad was the right for you.
Culture shock is said to develop over 5 different stages:
Stage 1: “Honeymoon” stage where everything is new and exciting
Stage 2: You start to experience difficulties with everyday things as they are different from
home, such as language barrier, getting the right food etc.
Stage 3: You slowly start to understand the new culture you are in and feel more in
balance. You feel an urge to belong
Stage 4: You start to discover that there are both good and bad sides to this new culture
and can maybe even see this new culture in comparison to your own
Stage 5: “Re-entry -shock”. This stage takes place when you return to your home country
and suddenly find out that you have brought back something with you, namely something
that suddenly makes you see your own culture with more critical eyes. This can be difficult
to come to terms with
Typical symptoms of culture shock (especially in stage 2)

Boredom, loneliness

Allergies, pain

Obsession with own health
7
Health and Safety Guide

Sleeplessness, excessive need of sleep

Mood changes, depression, powerlessness

Anger, animosity against other people

Identification and idealisation of old culture

Trying to absorb everything within the new culture too fast

Incapable of solving even the simplest problems

Loss of selfconfidence

Insecurity

Developing stereotypes of the new culture

Strong longing for family and friends back home

Feeling of being ignored, not appreciated
If you should experience the above and have a sudden feeling of loneliness or sadness,
talking to a friend or your contact person at the university abroad or at ASB might help.
In case you are experiencing a very strong feeling of sadness and cannot see your way
out of it, you should seek professional help!
Things that may be helpful in dealing with culture shock:

Maintain your perspective – Many people have been in a situation like yours and
survived.

Evaluate your experiences – your reactions to the country, the university, the
people. If you find yourself feeling confused or disappointed about something, ask
yourself, “What did I expect?”, “Why?”, “Was my expectation reasonable?”. If you
determine that your expectations were unreasonable you can do much to reduce
the amount of dissatisfaction you feel.

Keep an open mind – people might not say or do things that people at home would
do or say. People act according to their own set of values, not yours. Try not to
evaluate their behaviour using the standards you would use in your own country.

Learn from experience - moving to a new culture can be the most fascinating and
educational experience of your life. There is no better way to become aware of
your own values and attitudes than to broaden your point of view

Visit the International Office or Counselling Office at the host university if there is
one. Talking with one of the advisors can help you get a perspective on culture
shock and the learning oppotunities it implies
8
Health and Safety Guide
PRACTICAL MEASURES
Visa and Residence Permit
As a general rule, a visa or residence permit is required for studying in the countries with
which ASB has entered exchange agreements. It is your own responsibility to find out
whether a visa or a residence permit is required for studying in the country you have
chosen as your study abroad destination.
For more about the general rules about visa and residence permits, please go to
www.asb.dk/studyabroad.
BUT remember to register with the relevant local authorities upon arrival!!!
Insurance
Insurance is not only a matter of covering your health – it is also necessary in connection
with theft, robbery, loss of personal belongings or public liability. To leave without
insurance is not illegal, but we STRONGLY recommend against it.
Most likely, the main part of your personal insurance agreements (household furniture
insurance/public liability insurance) only provides you coverage during short study periods
abroad (less than 3 months). We therefore advise you to get in contact with your
insurance company in order to get the relevant information, but in most cases it will be
necessary to take out additional insurance. Travel goods may, however, be covered by
some travel insurances.
For further information regarding the insurance of property and public liability, it is also a
good idea to check www.studenterforsikring.dk.
Theft/Robbery
Should you be exposed to theft or robbery, you need to contact the local police
immediately.
It is always a good idea to keep a copy of your important papers such as passport, drivers
licence and insurance policy apart from the originals, in case they are stolen or lost.
Advice for students with special needs
It is a good idea to ensure that the facilities you may need are present at the foreign
institution. Please contact the International Office at ASB for specific information on this
subject.
9
Health and Safety Guide
THINGS TO REMEMBER
.. while you are abroad
Remember to check your ASB e-mail and CampusNet on a regular basis to
get important information from ASB and the International Office.
You should contact the International Student Counsellor if your study
programme is going to differ considerably from the approval of courses
obtained before departure or if you are in doubt concerning any academic
matter at your host institution.
When you send an e-mail to ASB it is VERY IMPORTANT that your e-mail
contains the following information:
- your name
- your programme at ASB, e.g. BA (eng/fr.)
- your host institution abroad, e.g. University of Maastricht, Universidad de
Carlos III
Ask your host institution how and when you will receive your transcript.
Act as a good ambassador of ASB - participate in public related campaigns to
promote exchange to ASB.
Gather information about the foreign institution, especially new course
catalogues, and hand it in to the International Office Front Desk when you
return, for the benefit of new exchange students.
During your stay you must remember to register for any courses/electives or
exams at ASB if you need to do so:
The Central Registry
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 89 48 62 04
Fax: 86 15 01 88
Remember: Check CampusNet for information on deadlines!!!
10
Health and Safety Guide
THINGS TO REMEMBER
..when you return
Inform the International Office if you have changed your postal address on
arrival as we do not get this from the Central Registry. We will need your
address for forwarding your confirmation of credit transfer and possibly also
your transcript of records from your host institution.
Bring home any relevant material from the foreign institution, especially new
course catalogues, and hand it in to the International Office Front Desk when
you return for the benefit of new exchange students.
Complete and return the evaluation form right after you return and/or before
the given deadline.
20th of September / 15th of March are deadlines for handing in the form for
incorporation of courses that you attended at your host institution.
Help prepare new exchange and freemover students for a study period
abroad by participating in the Study Abroad meetings and sharing your
experiences.
Furthermore, we would be happy to receive any individual report you might write
about your stay abroad. Future exchange students are always very interested in getting
hold of all the relevant information about e.g. courses, the city, housing conditions,
interesting places to visit etc.
We would also like to know if you have any comments to this pocket edition or the Study
Abroad site, e.g. if you have been missing some kind of information before, during or after
your stay abroad.
11
Health and Safety Guide
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES …

Carefully read and consider the material handed out.

Make sure that you obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage.

Become familiar with how to get emergency help.

Provide your host university with emergency contact information and check in with
them on a regular basis.

Be aware of and respect local conditions and customs.

Accept responsibility of own actions and decisions.
Have a great study period abroad !!!
If you have any comments to this Health and Safety Guide, please send an e-mail to
[email protected]. Thank you!
12