Becoming an international student can require a lot of personal adjustment. Depending on the new culture chosen to study in, the adjustments can be great, between new food, dress and everyday mannerism, adjusting to a new country can be difficult for an international student.
One adjustment that important to consider and accommodate to when moving to a new location is the weather. International students will most likely have different weather patterns around them than what was prevalent in their home country, especially if they are moving halfway around the world. Knowing what type of weather to expect in a new location is important to be able to prepare for whatever Mother Nature brings along.
Tornados, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes can all be disastrous and are important to know how to handle. But another natural hazard that is often overlooked is the sun. Individuals who are not familiar with harsh sunlight, yet move to a location where rays are intense will need to know how to protect themselves from irreversible damage that is caused by the sun. Those who are in the sun during midday can get sunburn within minutes, especially those who with fair skin. Here are a few tips for sun protection:
- Wear sunscreen and apply it often. This tip is a common one when it comes to sun protection because it is effective. This will not only help prevent individuals getting a sunburn, but also against premature aging that is caused by UV-A rays.
- UV rays are the strongest from 10am-4pm. Try to limit the time spent in the sun during these hours. If outside activities are required during these times, seek out shady areas when possible.
- Wear clothes that work to your advantage. Find loose-fitting clothes made of light colors and cloth. This will let air in while keeping the sun out. Also, skin is not the only thing that should be protected from the sun. Keep your eyes healthy with sunglasses that provide UV-A and UV-B protection.
Although sun protection might sound minor, overexposure to the sun can produce negative effects such as burns and blister that require hospital visits. International students from regions where the sun is less intense and are traveling to areas with harsh rays should be able to enjoy their fun in the sun. By adopting healthy sun habits, the worst can be avoided.
Category: Health & Safety Abroad
