Health

Staying Healthy

**NOTE: In 2026-2027, FLTAs will be getting MSU Student Health Insurance. We are still figuring out all the details of how that will impact your experience.**

Take care of medical issues before arriving to the United States.

Medical care in the United States can be very expensive. It is best to address as much as possible ahead of your FLTA year.

Medical Records/Allergy List

Please bring a copy of your medical records, especially information on any chronic illness and treatment. A list of medications (the scientific name, not brand name) and any allergies will help greatly in the event of any problem.

EyeCare

Bring prescriptions for both glasses and contact lenses–It’s also a good idea to bring backup pairs of both in case one breaks or gets lost. Remember–eye exams and glasses are VERY expensive in the U.S.

Dental Health

Dentists in the United States are usually much more expensive than other countries. (For example, a cleaning can cost $80-90, a small filling can be $250 and more extensive procedures can easily go to $600-$2,000.) We highly recommend that you go to your dentist before you come here and fix any problems first. If you are already here and need a dentist, please see your supervisor who will help you find a reliable one. Please note that your insurance probably will not cover the costs.

Insurance–extremely important here!

Once you have your insurance information, print out your insurance card and carry it with you. If you don’t have your card with you, you may be stuck with a very large bill that you will have to pay on your own, or you may be denied service if it’s not an emergency.   Even with your insurance card, you will likely have a co-pay and you will likely have a bill for a portion of the cost.  This bill may arrive a month or two after the service. You are responsible for the bill.

Olin Health Center

Olin Health Center is the student health clinic on campus. Students can get 3 free visits before insurance is billed.

Urgent Care

When you need to be seen by a doctor quickly (fever, minor injury, etc…) you can go to an Urgent Care facility.  Lansing Urgent Care has 2 locations close to MSU: the Okemos and the Frandor locations. The copay at urgent care is MUCH less than what you will pay at the ER.

Emergency Care

Hopefully this won’t be necessary, but for major emergencies (accident, severe blood loss, suspected heart attack, etc..,) you should call 911 for ambulance service to McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital. If it’s not a major emergency, go to Urgent Care, or if possible, wait until you can go to Olin.  If it’s urgent but not life-threatening, please also call the FLTA Supervisor. 

How do I decide if I need the ER, Urgent Care, or a doctor visit?

This can be difficult for everyone–not only FLTAs.  Here is a guide that could help you decide.

Doctor Visits

**To be updated once I get more information on student health insurance, which is different than the FLTA insurance previous FLTAs had. You likely can go to Olin Health Center on campus**

Mental Health

In the US, we feel talking about problems is good for your mental health. If you are feeling any stress, loneliness, etc. you may always talk to any of your supervisors. As MSU students, you also have access to Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at the university. They are an excellent team that can help with anything from trying to quit smoking, to dealing with culture shock, to dealing with bigger issues.

Grief

Unfortunately, sometimes an FLTA learns of very bad news from home, such as a serious illness or death of a friend or family member.  If this happens, notify the coordinator immediately.  Grief is often magnified by being far from home.  The coordinator will help you identify what you need and put you in touch with many resources available in the community.

Basic Information and Prevention (Gyms and Sports)

Exercise facilities: MSU has great facilities and resources to get active, stay in shape and stay healthy. IM East is closest to Owen Hall. At the fitness facilities at MSU, there are group fitness classes, swimming (not at IM East, but at the other ones), and sports. The newest center, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, opened in 2026. Since the FLTAs do not pay student fees, if you want to access the gym, you must purchase a RecSports Membership if you want to use the facilities. It’s $170/semester.

I had a great experience using the gyms in MSU. There are three gyms on campus: IM East is very close to Owen. It is not very big, but it has everything necessary to work out. It has some basketball, squash, and volleyball courts. In the second floor there is a indoor running track. All of them are all well-equipped and there are many activities. I used the gyms more for weight-lifting and swimming, but there were some group activities like yoga and stretching. The schedule for these activities are available on their website: https://msu.dserec.com/online/cr/programs/1/program-classes-weekly-view

-Emmanuel (Brazil), 2025-2026

There are also intramural sports that you can participate in, that are designed recreational activities tailored specifically to the interests of students at MSU, where they can compete against other MSU students. It is very casual and friendly without a lot of time commitment.

Resources

MedicineNet is a website that is edited by licensed doctors. It has a lot of good information to stay healthy or to check your symptoms.

Vaccination Recommendations

The vaccine recommendations taken from the MSU website and more information about each vaccine can be found there.

  • Hepatitis B
  • Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis Booster (Tdap)
  • Meningococcus
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
  • Influenza
  • Hepatitis A
  • Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (for women and men)
  • Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV) (only for certain populations)