Health and Wellness

Making sure you stay healthy is essential to your success while you're a student. Health care in the U.S. can be quite different from health care in your home country, so be sure to use the resources here and through the Health and Counseling Center to learn about insurance, what to expect when you're sick, and healthcare facilities in the U.S. If you have questions, ask the international student advisor.

Healthcare in the U.S.

You can expect to receive good medical treatment should you become sick or injured in the U.S. The following basic advice about health care in the U.S. is very important for you to understand:

Cost of Health Care in the U.S.
Health care in the U.S. is very high quality, but also very expensive. For example, it can cost $125 or more to visit a doctor's office, and thousands of dollars to receive treatment at a hospital emergency room. The amount you pay for health care can be reduced by purchasing health insurance, visiting Knox College Health Services, and utilizing other cost-saving strategies.

Health Insurance
Most people in the U.S. depend on health insurance to help pay for their medical expenses. As an international student, you'll need to purchase a plan. Learn more about insurance.

Mental Health Care
Taking care of your mental and emotional wellbeing is as important as caring for your physical well being. Counselors are available at the Health and Counseling Center, and all meetings with counselors are private and confidential.

Culture Shock

Studying abroad is exciting, especially in your first year, but you'll likely experience culture shock while you're in the U.S. When you first arrive, you'll probably feel excited and ready to try out all the new things around you. After a few months, especially in the winter, it's not uncommon for students to feel homesick or discomforted by some of the things about U.S. culture that were initially exciting. These feelings are very normal and will often dissipate with strategies such as sharing your culture with others, listening to music from home, or trying something new here. There are many more strategies for coping with homesickness. Talk with the international student advisor or a counselor if you're experiencing culture shock.