HAN
It was just a short getaway holiday to Australia that I gave myself after a quarter-life crisis in Taiwan, but then it turned into years long stay. As a travel enthusiast, I have visited more than 20 countries. I love the thrill when I arrive in a foreign realm with my big backpack and the excitement to explore the unknown. India, Iceland, Myanmar, Russia, Czech Republic … the exotic adventures all make me eager to see more of this world. However, there is something magical about sunny Brissy that just kept me here. Before long, I started pursuing my second degree in healthcare and decided to settle in the sunshine for good. Because, why not?
原本只是為了緩解我在台灣遭遇的青年危機 (quarter-life crisis) ，而送給自己的一個短期澳洲之旅，結果卻在這住了下來。作為一個旅行愛好者，我前前後後拜訪了20幾個國家。每當我背著大背包來到一個全然陌生的文化，最吸引我的總是那種探索未知的刺激感。印度、冰島、緬甸、俄羅斯、捷克共和國...這些異國的探險都使我渴求看到更多這個世界的樣貌。然而，布里斯本有一種神奇的力量把我留在了這裡。沒有多久，我就在這裡開始攻讀我的第二個學位，並決定定居在這個陽光城市。因為….為什麼不呢？
I was lucky to have been born and grown up in Taiwan, where LGBT rights are considered the most progressive in Asia. Though I still had my struggles with self-identity in gender and sexuality, it did not take me too long to live the lifestyle I felt comfortable with. The transition from self-denial to sex positivity is one treasure I found in the self-exploring journey. I started allowing positive attitudes about sex and feeling to sink in, and at the same time learning the best way to protect myself. This was when I came to know about PrEP and used it as a preventive measure.
我很幸運能在台灣出生和成長，在那裡LGBT的權利被認為是亞洲最進步的。儘管在性別和性取向方面我仍然有過自我認同上的掙扎，但這條尋找真我樣貌的道路並不漫長。從自我否定，到對“性正向”的態度轉變，是我在自我探索的旅程中發現的寶藏。我開始允許自己正面的看待性，同時學會用最好的方式來保護自己。與此同時，我認識到了PrEP，並開始把它用作預防措施之一。
At first, I was a little concerned about finding the sources for PrEP in here, as I was previously a year deep in a fully subsidised PrEP program in Taiwan. However, soon after I started searching, I discovered a student-friendly PrEP scheme by PAN (www.panhttp://www.pan.org.au/assistance-coupons.org.au), which is entirely FREE of charge, even for the delivery. All I needed to do was just following through few easy steps to get a three-month supply each time. Here is how:
起初，我對在澳洲找尋取得PrEP的管道有些擔心，因為在此之前，我是透過台灣一項一年期的免費計劃取得PrEP。然而，在我開始搜尋相關資源後不久，發現了一個由PAN提供的學生PrEP計劃（網址：www.pan.org.au），而且完全免費，甚至免運。我只需要按照幾個簡單的步驟就可以每次獲得三個月的供應。以下是具體步驟：
1. Get a doctor prescription for PrEP, and yes it does not need to cost a penny either
As a foreign student with no Medicare, I have been using the free healthcare service from Metro North Sexual Health and HIV Service. The clinic provides free confidential appointment-based services, including sampling, testing, doctor consultation, and prescription, with locations in Brisbane CBD, Redcliffe and Caboolture. The tests cover HIV and other STIs through oral swabbing, rectal swabbing, urine and blood samples. The clinic also provides free treatment to STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.
You will need to make two appointments with two weeks apart. The first one is with a nurse to provide your samples for the laboratory and the second one is with a doctor to see your test results and get your PrEP prescription. The clinic is usually busy so please do not be late and arrive early for your appointment. From my experience as a gay Asian man, the clinicians and staff are very welcoming and LGBTI friendly.
*Make sure you book in early as they could be very busy
1. 獲取PrEP的處方籤，對的，這不需要花一分錢
作為一名沒有澳洲 Medicare 保險的外國學生，我一直使用Metro North診所針對性健康提供的免費醫療服務。該診所提供免費且保密的預約制看診，包括採樣、檢測、專業諮詢和處方開立，地點分別位於布里斯本CBD、Redcliffe和Caboolture。測試範圍包括通過口腔、直腸、尿液和血液樣本的採樣，進行愛滋病毒和其他性傳播感染（STIs）的檢測。該診所也提供免費治療，針對像是披衣菌感染、淋病和梅毒等性傳染病。
你將需要預約兩次會診，且兩次預約之間間隔約兩週。第一次預約是與護士見面，提供檢體樣本進行實驗室檢測，第二次預約則是與醫生見面，查看你的檢測結果並獲得PrEP處方。診所通常很忙，所以請記得準時赴約，提前抵達診所等待。根據我個人的經驗，醫護人員和工作人員對LGBTI族群非常友善。
*請確保你提前預約，因為他們可能非常忙碌
2. Have your prescription, photo ID, and student ID ready
As soon as you get the prescription, go on PAN (www.pan.org.au/free-prep) to fill in the coupon application form and upload your prescription, photo ID, and student ID. You will just need to simply take a clear photo of the mentioned documents and upload them accordingly. Once approved, you will receive the coupon code via email within a week.
*Don’t do away your prescription yet, you will need it to place your order
2. 準備好你的處方籤、身份證明照片和學生證明
一旦你獲得處方，請在PAN網站（www.pan.org.au/assistance-coupons）上填寫優惠券申請表，並上傳你的處方、身份證明文件和學生證。你只需要簡單地拍下上述文件的清晰照片並上傳。一旦審核通過，你將在一週內通過電子郵件收到優惠券碼。
*請勿丟棄你的處方籤，你需要它來完成網路下單
3. Use the coupon code to place your order
In the email along with the coupon code, you will be guided through step by step on how to place your order. Don’t sweat, it is easy!
3. 使用優惠券碼下單
收到包含優惠券碼的電子郵件後，你將可以按照信中的交易步驟說明與優惠券碼使用方法完成下單。不用擔心，這很簡單！
4. All done! three-month PrEP supply is on its way
Three bottles of PrEP will arrive in 10-21 business days. But keep in mind that the shipping time could sometimes take longer than expected during the pandemic as the parcel comes from overseas.
Tips: for daily PrEP users, once you open the second bottle of PrEP, remember to re-start running through the process above. This can avoid gaps between your PrEP dosage and help you stay protected.
4. 完成！三個月的PrEP供應即將送到
三瓶PrEP將在10-21個工作日內到達。但請記住，由於疫情的原因，運送時間有時可能比預期的要長，因為包裹是從海外出貨的。
提示：對於每天使用PrEP的人，在打開第二瓶PrEP時，請記得重新開始上述流程取得 PrEP。這可以避免你PrEP劑量之間的空窗，幫助你保持體內的劑量濃度。
I have been on PrEP for about 4 years now and it has been a positive personal journey. The best thing about it is I get to have my health controlled in my own hands instead of letting others. It empowers me to better take care of myself even when others do not. On top of other safety measures like condom, PrEP no doubt strengthens my safety net and reduces my anxiety about getting HIV. Plus, there are barely any side effects, except that when I take it with an empty stomach, I get slightly nauseated (so take it after a meal will be a good idea). A pill-following-meal routine also helps me not to forget my dose if I am taking it daily. For on-demand users, phone alarm can be a useful tool to remind you.
我已經使用PrEP大約4年了，對我而言這是一段正面的經驗。最好的一點是，我可以掌控自己的健康，而不是被動地交由他人決定。這使我能夠更好地照顧自己。除了像保險套這樣的安全措施外，PrEP無疑加強了我的安全網，減少了我對感染愛滋病的焦慮。而且，幾乎沒有什麼副作用，除了我空腹服用時，會稍微產生噁心感（所以在餐後服用是個好方法）。養成餐後服用的習慣，也有助於我記得每天的劑量。對於按需求 (on demand) 的使用者來說，手機鬧鈴可以是一個有用的提醒工具。
Thanks to the healthcare support in Australia, it is very friendly for international students to enjoy cost-efficient protection from PrEP simply by following the steps mentioned previously. PrEP is for anyone who looks to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. How you choose to use it is highly pertained to your personal needs, either daily, on-demand or even alternately. Remember to consult your doctor for the correct usage and dosage to make sure you stay fully protected. As for any other STIs, the more you know about HIV, the more capable you are to defend it. So … let’s start from learning more about PrEP today!
由於澳洲對健康照護的支持，國際學生可以容易地通過上述步驟獲得 PrEP 的保護。PrEP適用於任何希望降低愛滋病感染風險的人。你如何使用它將取決於你的個人需求，你可以每天使用，按需求使用，甚至是兩種方法交替使用。請記得諮詢你的醫生，確定正確的使用方法和劑量，以確保你完全受到保護。就像任何其他的性傳染疾病，你對於愛滋病的瞭解越多，就越能保護自己。所以...讓我們今天從學習更多有關PrEP的知識開始吧！
Medicare ineligible & want PrEP? Click HERE to find links to online pharmacies ($20 per bottle) and Click HERE for Free PAN coupons if you can't afford PrEP.
