"Sakura"- Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree

Say goodbye to the cold and dark winter and celebrate spring by taking off! Spring is a time for families to travel and spend time with one another warming up in the sun and relaxing in a beautiful climate. No matter where you plan on going, it is most important to plan a safe and healthy trip with your family.

Before you travel, make sure you are prepared for the climate of your destination and the climate of any places where you may have a layover. If you are traveling with young ones, plan your adventures around their nap times to avoid meltdowns as much as possible. Always have some bottled water with you, especially if you are out in the sun and be sure to wear sunscreen. If you are fortunate enough that your spring vacation involves a trip abroad and you do not speak the native language, have a common phrases book handy to make communication easier.

Of course, with any travel to a new place you may encounter some things for which you are not prepared. You certainly want to take every precaution necessary with your health and the health of your family by visiting a Travel Medicine Specialist. Passport Health will help lessen the risk of getting sick and injured by ensuring you and your family are properly immunized and educated about your destination so you can have the most memorable vacation yet.

Rest, relax, explore and enjoy your Spring travels.

Are you on Facebook? Of course you are! So are we! Stop by, like our page and share with us your travel stories and photos.

As the busy holiday season surrounded me, I hurriedly called my hair stylist, Susan, for an appointment only to find out that she was out sick. Her assistant advised that I call back in a couple of days. Days later, her assistant reported that Susan was extremely sick and still not able to return to work. Alarm bells began ringing in my head because Susan is a healthy woman in her mid 30’s. In the 10 years that I have known her, she has only had a couple of minor colds.

Weeks later when I finally sat in Susan’s chair, she explained that she had coughing spells that caused her to vomit and that she was coughing so much that she couldn’t sleep. One day while briskly walking with her daughter, she had begun coughing and almost fainted, so she then decided to visit her doctor.

This would seem like a rare occurrence but unfortunately it was an all too common conversation in California in the year 2010. This was the worst epidemic of Pertussis in California in over 60 years. There were 8,383 cases of Pertussis reported in California and 10 infants lost their lives. Due to this epidemic, Pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough, was making a resurgence in the minds of Californians. By September, people were calling with all types of questions.

What is Pertussis and how does it affect the body?
Pertussis bacteria are transmitted by direct contact with airborne discharges from infected persons. Once ingested, the bacteria enter the lungs and release a toxin onto the respiratory cilia. The Pertussis toxin paralyzes the respiratory cilia and causes inflammation, which decreases the lungs’ ability to move secretions out of the lungs.

What are the signs and symptoms?
People can be infected with Pertussis and have no symptoms, have allergy-like symptoms or have intense coughing spells, like Susan. Please note that Pertussis frequently goes undiagnosed as it often mimics a severe cold. The coughing associated with it can last up to 6 weeks with prolonged recovery.

Why is there an epidemic now? Pertussis is one of the most contagious human diseases and because symptoms vary, people who have Pertussis may not realize it and pass it on to others. It is theorized that the major catalysts for the epidemic in California are due to under vaccination of children and the waning antibodies of adults who were vaccinated many years ago. By vaccinating ourselves, we help protect others (like babies and others with compromised immune systems) who don’t have protection from Pertussis. Why are babies dying and how do I keep my family safe? Babies do not receive antibodies from their mothers and it may take up to 18 months for babies to build antibodies through their vaccinations. A simple vaccination of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) for everyone who may come into contact with you and your baby will help to protect your family.

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Spending a summer term studying abroad is one of the best ways to expand your horizons and get a taste of life outside of the US. Ranging from four to eight weeks, The Education Abroad Network’s programs in Australia, China, and Thailand offer unique ways to earn credits and learn about a new world. Here we’ve highlighted just three of our many summer opportunities for students.

Picture yourself in Australia, visiting Darwin, Kakadu, The Outback, Sydney and Cairns while learning about wildlife and conservation from a variety of Australian environmentalists.

From exploring the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to visiting the ‘red centre’, the spiritual heart of Australia, your program here will highlight the significance of Australia’s natural heritage to its indigenous people and provide an Aboriginal perspective on conservation management.

Perhaps you’re more intrigued by the financial centers of Sydney and South East Asia? Our course “International Business: Australia and South East Asia,” coordinated through The University of New South Wales’ Australian School of Business, provides extensive experience in business relations throughout South East Asia. Through on-site lectures, workshops, consulate presentations and guest presentations from representatives of South East Asian countries you will learn how Australian businesses, and indeed the world, are working with emerging economies.

If you’d like to explore Asia first-hand, spending a summer in Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of Thailand, famous for its temples, enduring traditions, jungle-covered mountains complete with hill-tribe villages and elephants, might be the option for you. Chiang Mai combines the best of Thailand as a modern city with great shopping and nightlife but also a place that has kept alive the traditions and customs of this diverse and fascinating culture. This intensive multi-disciplinary summer program is of interest to students in Asian studies as well as those interested in globalization, democratization, gender and sexual identity, fine arts, human rights, migration and economic development. It allows students to gain a deeper understanding of Thai and Southeast Asian culture and how their own academic interests play out in the region. An Adventure in Mind awaits you on a summer of discovery and learning with The Education Abroad Network.

About The Education Abroad Network
At The Education Abroad Network, we love helping students make studying abroad a reality. We thrive on providing personalized attention, quick answers, and our trademark preparation. We've been running study-based programs specializing in the South Pacific and Pacific Rim with our partner universities since 1995. Beginning in Australia with our program Study Australia, expanding to Study New Zealand and now Study Asia, The Education Abroad Network offers more overseas opportunities for study than ever before. With that kind of experience behind us and passion driving us, we know how to design, deliver, and service simply the best educational opportunities abroad.

About the Author Stephen Ferst joined The Education Abroad Network in 2009 as the first Director of Institutional Relations and Development after serving as the Director of Study Abroad at Rutgers University since 1997. Steve's first foray into international education was studying abroad in Haifa, Israel during 1987 and 1988. Upon graduating he immediately began working in the field and has held positions in recruiting, marketing, finance, and advising. In 2002 he was fortunate to serve as a Resident Director in England while living in the UK with his family. His extensive travels have taken him around the world many times.

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A medical examination is a common experience for immigrants. Many may wonder why the examination is needed. The medical exam is required for those applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence (often referred to as “green card” status). Applicants for adjustment of status are treated as if they are trying to obtain admission to the United States. The reason for the medical examination is to determine if applicants have any health concerns that would make them ineligible for permanent residence.

There are four categories of medical grounds that could deem an individual inadmissable: communicable diseases of public health significance, lack of required vaccinations, physical or mental disorders with harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction.

Communicable Diseases
Communicable diseases that prevent individuals from being granted the green card include Tuberculosis (TB), Syphilis, and Hansen’s disease (Leprosy). Civil surgeons administer one of two TB tests - the tuberculin skin test or a blood test known as an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test - and may require the green card applicant to undergo a chest x-ray if a diagnosis of TB is a possibility based on initial test results. The examination does not include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, as HIV is no longer a bar to admission.

Lack of Vaccinations
Green card applicants must show that they have been vaccinated against a range of diseases. Recent changes eliminated the need for vaccination for Human Papillomavirus(HPV) and Herpes Zoster(virus that causes Shingles). The doctor will review vaccination records to determine which vaccinations are needed and applicants should take these records with them to avoid unnecessary vaccinations. If vaccinations are not medically appropriate for an individual, the physician will note this on the medical form. This is common for pregnant women. Passport Health carries all recommended and required vaccinations nationwide.

Physical or Mental Disorders and Drug Use / Abuse
Civil surgeons must determine if an applicant has any diagnosable physical or mental disorder that is associated with behavior that is dangerous to the applicant or others. The diagnosis of a mental disorder, by itself, generally does not prevent one from qualifying for permanent residence. The existence of mental disorder/s combined with an applicant’s history of harmful or dangerous behavior may result in a referral to a specialist for further evaluation and assessment.

The medical examination is a necessary part of the green card process. For most green card applicants the immigration physical is a routine matter. Individuals who may suffer from a possible ground of ineligibility should discuss this with an immigration attorney. Attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are available to consult regarding a broad range of immigration matters.

This article was provided by the Murthy Law Firm, a nationally recognized immigration law firm in Owings Mills, Maryland. Individuals who have immigration questions may visit www.murthy.com.

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