Making the Most of Your Internship: How to Navigate Travel with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
By Karen Mancera
Imagine this: you've just landed in a new city, ready to start your dream internship. For many college students, traveling for an internship is an exciting opportunity to gain new skills, network with professionals, and explore a new city. But for those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the thought of traveling to an unfamiliar place can be daunting and also presents unique challenges.
Thankfully, with the right preparation and planning, it's possible to manage your symptoms and make the most of your experience.
Planning ahead and preparing for the trip can begin as soon as you decide to begin applying for internships. I remember when I was contemplating whether or not to accept a research internship after my diagnosis. I felt overwhelmed and afraid about the uncertainty on how I would manage my health while I was away. Because I had just been diagnosed a few months prior, I didn’t have an established treatment yet which made me even more nervous about the process. Like in most Hispanic families, my parents were also hesitant about me going across the country for several months by myself. I still remember my mom’s main concern, ‘¿Y si te pasa algo y estamos aquí tan lejos?’ (What if something happens to you and we are here so far away).
After overcoming the initial fears and concerns about managing your health while away for an internship, it's important to take practical steps to ensure that your health needs are still being met.
Connect with your healthcare team.
I discussed my plans to travel with my gastroenterologist and he gave me useful information to move forward. He assured me that I could still pick up my prescriptions in a different state as long as I informed them which pharmacy was closest to me. I chose to use the same pharmacy company I was using at home so my information was already in their system and picking up my prescriptions was quick. I was also able to schedule a virtual appointment with him while I was away. Keep in mind the time zone you will be in when requesting an appointment, or you might accidentally schedule one at 6 am like me.
Communicate and advocate for yourself while navigating your internship.
You could share your diagnosis or simply some of your challenges that pertain to your role with your supervisor if you feel comfortable. Otherwise, you can discuss these details with the human resources office or research program coordinator. This can ensure that you receive the accommodations that you need. For example, for me this meant that the research coordinator prioritized finding 4-bedroom apartments with two bathrooms instead of one. She also took care of dietary needs for program-sponsored meals.
Maintain your self-care during your time away.
There were times when other students in my program planned to explore the city and I opted to stay back because I was not feeling well. I also tried to prioritize my diet by cooking my meals most of the time. Cooking can be tricky because you will need to get cookware if you don’t bring it with you. My roommates and I decided to purchase some of the basics and shared them. Shopping for groceries can also be challenging if you don’t have transportation, but look for alternatives in the area like store deliveries, public transportation, ridesharing options, and local stores. Another priority for me was exercise. Since my research internship was affiliated with a university, I had access to their recreational facilities, but you could find local gyms or safe areas to go for a walk.
Stay positive.
Remember that having IBD doesn't have to hold you back from achieving your career goals. With the right planning and preparation, you can successfully complete your internship and gain valuable experience for your future career.