Erasmus in Seoul (South Korea) with type 1 diabetes: doubts about insulin, healthcare and travel

Hello everyone,

I am a type 1 diabetic and I am going on Erasmus to Seoul (South Korea) from August to January.I would like to know if anyone has been there or done an Erasmus/exchange in another country as a diabetic.

I have several doubts:

• How does the medical system work in South Korea for someone who is going on an exchange for a few months?
• Did you bring all the insulin from Spain or did you get it there?
• If you bought it there, did you need a prescription from your endocrinologist in Spain or a prescription from a Korean doctor?
• What was the process like to get insulin and material (sensors, needles, etc.)?
• Has anyone used the public system (NHIS) or any international hospitals like SNUH?What experience did you have?

I'm also worried about the trip:

• Did they give you any trouble at the airport for carrying insulin, sensors, pumps, needles, glucagon or other material?
• Did you bring any certificate or medical report in English?
• How did you transport all the material for several months?

Any experience or advice, whether about South Korea or about an Erasmus in any other country, would help me a lot.

Thank you so much!

Hello!

I have no idea about the first questions, maybe the nurses or the endocrinologist can ask you about it, send them an email.Or if not, through your university perhaps.

Regarding the trip, my first tripintercontinentalI took a crappy report that the family doctor gave me (I never had to show it), and at no airport have they even made me show me needles, etc., I imagine they are more than used to it.I carried it all in a toiletry bag in my suitcase (as it was the first time, I took a lot of pens, for months in fact, in case I lost them or something), plus another pair of pens, a sensor and the glucometer in my carry-on backpack in case I lost my suitcase.The sensor doesn't beep or anything either.

I don't know how to tell you almost anything, but bring a certificate in English that includes all the material you need.

And, if you can, take everything with you for those months and in a personal bag.

It is a country with good public health, you will not lack attention if you have a problem.

Regina said:
@Regina said:

I don't know how to tell you almost anything, but bring a certificate in English that includes all the material you need.

And, if you can, take everything with you for those months and in a personal bag.

It is a country with good public health, you will not lack attention if you have a problem.

Name said:
@Name said:

Hello!
I have no idea about the first questions, maybe the nurses or the endocrinologist can ask you about it, send them an email.Or if not, through your university perhaps.

Regarding the trip, my first tripintercontinentalI took a crappy report that the family doctor gave me (I never had to show it), and at no airport have they even made me show me needles, etc., I imagine they are more than used to it.I carried it all in a toiletry bag in my suitcase (as it was the first time, I took a lot of pens, for months in fact, in case I lost them or something), plus another pair of pens, a sensor and the glucometer in my carry-on backpack in case I lost my suitcase.The sensor doesn't beep or anything either.

Hello!!

I have no idea about South Korea and its health system, but I think it's good advice to ask through your university, even if you weren't diabetic you would have to know how everything works there in case you need a doctor.I can also tell you that surely with the Spanish prescription for insulin etc. you will not be able to do anything there, it is not valid even within Europe.

My experience is the other way around: Spain started out as my "other country", I came to study at the university here (and now 22 years have passed and I'm still here hehehehehe).At the beginning I brought all the material from my country, and my advice is that if you are only going to stay 6 months it will be much easier for you to take everything from here.You have to ask the endocrinologist for a report in English for the security check, just in case, but I really think I only had to show it once and it was in the United States when leaving, I'm tired of traveling by plane and they never ask for it.Take everything you usually use (sensors, insulins, etc.) in hand luggage, since they can be damaged in the hold of the plane.Insulin and glucagon in a refrigerator to keep it cold.

Greetings,

Insulin is transported in a cold wallet, it lasts for days.

The report in English is made for you by the endocrinologist.I have never taught it.I also have it in Chinese because of a work trip I took, they have never asked me for it.

Like that short stay, bringing all the material.The Spanish SS has health agreements in the EU, and many South American countries, but with Korea I doubt it.My nephew went there with the Scouts and carried private insurance.

Outside of the EU I carry private insurance.