The idea of Responsible Global Citizenship is about how decisions and actions in one part of the planet can affect people living in a different part. It’s about how we all share a common humanity and are of equal worth. It means being open to engaging positively with other identities and cultures and being able to recognize and challenge stereotypes. Traveling provides us with an opportunity to tackle this idea face on, in a way that our daily life here in Switzerland may not.

Traveling offers us chance to expand our horizons and better understand the world that others live in each day. However, it is important to remember that having the ability to travel is a privilege, and we should always keep in mind the impact that this privilege may have.

1. Keep Your Vaccinations Up to Date

Proper preparation before your trip and careful precautions during your trip can help you be a responsible world citizen. Getting all necessary vaccines before traveling is two-fold; it protects you from disease and also lessens the chance of you bringing infection to those you encounter while traveling.

Especially important to remember is that the diseases that are rare or completely eradicated in certain places, such as mumps, polio, or measles, may be a serious concern in certain areas where vaccination rates are low. Unfortunately there have already been outbreaks in the global south caused by travelers, i. ex. a measles outbreak in Colombia caused by Swiss travelers.

By being vaccinated, you help to keep not only yourself, but also those who live in the country you are visiting, safe.

Additionally, when you are vaccinated, you lessen the chance of contracting a disease while abroad and bringing it back to your home, where you may then pass it along to others.

It is always best to visit your healthcare provider before traveling to check your vaccination status and see if any vaccinations need to be updated or administered. In addition to being up to date on the vaccinations for your home country, you should also receive any recommended vaccinations based on your travel destination.

2. Travel Consultation

For those unsure of the health concerns to be aware of before traveling, a travel consultation can help sort out these uncertainties.

When you meet with a travel consultant, they will provide a list of recommended immunizations or steps needed to protect oneself while abroad that is specific to your travel location.

The travel consultant also makes sure that you are physically fit to travel by looking at any health conditions you have and the itinerary you have planned for your trip.

To give your travel consultant enough time to monitor your health risks and schedule any necessary vaccinations, try to schedule your appointment for at least four weeks before you depart.

3. Monitor Your Health Before Traveling

When you have a trip planned, the last thing you want to do is cancel it because of being sick. However, to be a responsible traveler, this is what you must do to protect the health of other travelers and those living at your destination.

Besides, not only does it keep everyone else healthy when you postpone your trip because of illness, it ensures that you can truly enjoy your trip since you won’t be spending it feeling ill.

When planning your trip, opt for trip cancellation insurance so that, should you get sick, it isn’t as much of a financial strain to cancel. Some airlines and hotels may even offer reimbursements for those sick with viruses such as the flu or COVID-19, so check their policies before booking.

4. Consider the Environmental Impact of Your Travel

Another factor in our health is the environment in which we live, which is why a responsible traveler will consider the environmental impact of their traveling.

For instance, try to avoid single-use plastics such as plastic straws, bags, and containers. This helps to lessen waste, which can be huge in countries that have difficulties with waste management. The more waste there is, the more likely the locals are to become sick due to poor waste management. So, minimizing waste when possible can go a long way in keeping their community healthy.

Different methods of transportation can also influence environmental impact. You may need to fly to your destination, but try to take direct flights and carry less luggage. Once at your travel destination, opt for public transportation when possible, or even try walking or cycling. All of these actions help to lessen your carbon footprint, which lowers your environmental impact and keeps the communities that you visit healthy.

5. Consider Making a Lasting Difference

When we travel, it’s common to only be concerned about our health risks while there. For example, when traveling to a location with a high risk of malaria, you only need to protect yourself against mosquito bites for the duration of your trip. Once you are home, you no longer need to worry about impregnating your clothes and protecting your skin from potential bites at all hours of the day.

You’re in the clear once your trip is over, but what about the people who live in these destinations permanently? What about the thousands of children exposed to malaria annually?

While traveling offers the ability to expand our horizons and better understand other cultures, the health concerns the locals deal with every single day are commonly overlooked. However, you have the opportunity to make a difference in their health by supporting the communities through non-profits.

We are working on creating a comprehensive list of vetted non-profits that you can support, but until then, you can look for a non-profit on your own that supports the travel location of your choice! Supporting a non-profit means that your help has an even greater impact, and offers a way for you to repay the community you visit by promoting their healthier future.

 The International Society for Travel Medicine have created their own list for traveling responsibily, which adds other important food for thought to that which we`ve written here.

Referenzen

Chen, L. & Hochberg, N., (2019). The Pretravel Consultation.  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/the-pretravel-consultation

Vaccines. (2023). https://www.who.int/travel-advice/vaccines