2015 was a blast!

It was wonderful to travel with DAOM classmates and alumni this year! More pics to come!

Avian Flu

I often get questions regarding vaccinations for travel to China. While there is no vaccine in this case, avian flu is still present in China and there are simple things you can do to avoid catching it. Beyond avian flu, I do recommend travelers to China get an annual flu shot as well. The public should remain vigilant and take heed of the advice against avian influenza below: 

•  Do not visit live poultry markets and farms. 
• Avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings; - if contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap
•  Avoid entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered and contact with surfaces which might be contaminated by droppings of poultry or other animals
•  Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating
• Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating, after going to the toilet or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); and when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin
• Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients
• Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients

Schedule for In-Class Presentations

It's that time of year again! Info brochures should be showing up in intern mailboxes the first week of April and Beth Howlett will be dropping into all 3 sections of clinic seminar that week as well. Special guest, Kate Moksnes, will also drop by to share her experience as a 2011 alumni of the China Trip:

2013 OCOM Study Abroad Informational Video is Live on Youtube!

Hello future travelers!

 

It's time to start thinking about the future, the fall and if a trip to China is in your sights!  In class presentations, a Tuesday afternoon talk and flyers should make an appearance on campus in Spring Quarter.  For anyone interested, I encourage you to view the videos of last year's trip presentation, as seen on Youtube. Not that much has changed, except the trip to Bozhou.  For many photos of this new herbal excursion, please check out the "travel" tab on this blog.  It's going to be another great year of travel with co-leader Hong Jin, DAOM, LAc planning to spend the last two weeks of the trip in her hometown of Nanjing.  For those who want to mark their calendars, travel dates are looking like September  13th through October 21st.  That's four weeks of clinic with one week of travel in the middle, during Golden Week.

Thanks for checking out the blog!

Packing List

1)       You need a lab coat.  If you do not intend to pack one, please let me know, so I can have the school have one ready upon our arrival.  If I remember correctly they are less than $20.

2)       We are gone for 5 weeks and although the hotel has a small laundry guests can use (two machines) you may end up washing clothes in your room, or at least drying them there.  Clothes pins and rope and laundry hangers are cheap and easily available in China.  But remember this when choosing what items to bring, including possibly your own detergent if you have sensitive skin.

3)       I usually bring three outfits mix and matchable and 3 pairs of shoes (flip flops, one dress comfy and one walking/hiking comfy). I also usually bring a hoodie and a waterproof layer.

4)       6-8 small gifts for translators/supervisors. I have brought smoked salmon, small batch local OR liquor, emergen-c and rescue remedy in the past. Others have brought keychains, food products from their hometown, books, other kinds of supplements and tonics, mugs, etc.  Keep it within your means and referencing where you come form in America makes it more meaningful/personal.

5)       If you plan to get a bike, a helmet from home (none really available there) if you feel it’s necessary and especially a quality lock. There is a subway stop right across from campus and no one last year opted to buy a bicycle.  When I traveled, all of us bought bicycles.  They average $50-$75.

6)       Bring whatever portable electronics or books or handiwork you need for a couple of long road trips, plane travel, down time, etc.  But always remember you have to carry all your stuff at a couple of points.

7)       Medications and your basic toiletries in travel sizes.  I bring instant coffee and emergen-c, my Chinese go-to meds for diarrhea, feeling full, early onset of cold and constipation. If you have a particular pattern you fall into when immune compromised or eating strange foods, I recommend coming prepared ;)

8)       Anything you absolutely need to make your hotel room a bit of a home – family pic, a tapestry to cover the tv, favorite stuffed animal, treasured stone, specific incense, etc. It does become a home away from home and it be very comforting to somewhat personalize the space.

9) they outlawed plastic shopping bags in Chinese grocery stores awhile back.  Good to have some small re-usable bag for your shopping at the local store.

10)   A small pack which you could flexibly use for things such as – to carry a couple changes of clothes/toiletries for travel during the national holiday, use as your clinic bag or even a shopping bag. Some also bring an empty extra suitcase if planning to buy a lot of gifts.

11)   A couple of photocopies of your passport.

12)   A secure way to carry around your money. Debit card, copy of passport.

13)   Any travel guides or phrase books you might want when out-and-about on your own.

14)   Camera and laptop computer. The internet hookup is to a landline and requires that it be physically plugged into to whatever computer you might bring.  

15)   Sturdy travel mug/flask for water and tea.

      16)  If planning to get a lot of souvenirs ( I usually do all of my Christmas shopping there) consider not bringing a suitcase (or bring an empty one) and then fill it with gifts!

Here's the study abroad powerpoint presentation on Youtube!