Congratulations! You picked a program, and you are almost ready to take part in an international adventure. However, before you jump on a plane there is still much you need to do in order to be as prepared as possible.
Safety Abroad
It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to the policies in place for work and study abroad students at the University of Windsor.
Review the Safety When Traveling Abroad Guide, as well as the documents listed below before traveling.
- Student International Travellers: Study Abroad
- Student Code of Conduct
- Sexual Misconduct Policy
- Letters of Permission Policy (For students taking an international course at another institution and transferring the credit back to the University of Windsor.
Whether a in person or virtual session, it is mandatory that you attend a pre-departure safety orientation and review the Safety When Traveling Abroad Guide prior to your trip.
If you are going on a faculty-led study abroad course, your professor will schedule this orientation for your entire class. If you are doing an individual international experience (e.g., Mitacs, field work, co-op, research placement, etc.) please reach out to the Go Global Coordinator to find out when you can receive this training.
You will be administered a quiz following this training and must receive 80% or higher to pass. If you do not pass, you will have to meet with the Go Global Coordinator to review your results before you are given clearance to travel.
The following documentation needed to be submitted to the Go Global Coordinator by the timeline specified below. Any additional documentation that needs to be submitted for other applications, to faculty leaders, or other institutions is your responsibility to know and adhere to the due dates.
Waiver
Review and sign the Go Global International Education Waiver and submit it three (3) months before leaving or earlier if requested.
Passport
Submit a copy of the photo page of your passport one (1) month before leaving.
Travel Registry & Emergency Contact Information
The Travel Registry Form will be completed online. You will need your passport information, flight information, and travel insurance information on hand to complete this form. The Emergecy Contact Information Form will be submitted over email and in person if requested. Complete both forms one (1) month before leaving. If you do not have all the information needed to complete the form one month before leaving, contact the Go Global Coordinator to request an extension.
Personal Safety Plan
Download and save a copy of the Personal Safety Plan specific to the type of international mobility you will be participating in. Submit the completed plan two (2) months before leaving.
Student Safety Plan for Individual Travel
Student Safety Plan for Group Travel
Complete with reference to the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories.
Registration of Canadians Abroad
Visit the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad site to register for your trip and submit confirmation one (1) month before travel.
Timeline to Submit Required Documentation
| 3 Months Before Leaving | 2 Months Before Leaving | 1 Month Before Leaving |
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Passports and Visas
Valid passports are required for all international travel outside of Canada (including the United States). Passports must be valid for at least 6 months following your return date to Canada. For example, if you are returning from an international experience in May, your passport needs to be valid until November of that year. If it is to expire before then you need to renew it as soon as possible to ensure it arrives in time for your trip. Please note that the Government of Canada cannot guarantee your entry or transit through another country of your passport or other Canadian travel document that includes the “x” designation for gender. Lost passports should be reported to the nearest embassy or consulate.
A visa is an official document, usually stamped or glued inside a passport, giving permission from a foreign authority to enter a country. Visas are issued by foreign government offices in Canada. Requirements, fees, and processing times vary depending on the country and type of visa you need. It is your responsibility to successfully obtain the proper visa prior to travel. For non-Canadians, visit the appropriate embassy to consulate website for more information.
Health
Students should prepare carefully when traveling abroad to help mitigate health risks. The Safety When Traveling Abroad Guide also has useful information regarding health and medical emergencies for students to review. However, some common health considerations to prepare for include:
Allergies
Heartburn
Infection and inflammation
Insect bites
Students should plan ahead and pack some over-the-counter medication and first aid supplies for unexpected health events. Students are also responsible for knowing the entry requirements for their destination. This could include specific immunizations received prior to travel. These often need to be administered well in advance, so plan accordingly.
While deciding to take part in an international opportunity can be an exciting and enriching experience it is important to evaluate the potential impact the experience may have on your mental health. Even under the most optimal conditions, adjusting to life in a different culture can be a stressful transition. On occasion, this stress may trigger or exacerbate more serious emotional conditions. Nevertheless, with careful and early planning, you will be able to manage the stresses of going abroad successfully.
For your safety and well-being, it is vital that you inform your program provider of any physical, emotional or psychological difficulties or needs you have or may have experienced in the past. It is important for you to know in advance what mental health services are available in your host country and how you can access these services if the need should arise.
Remember that typical reactions to cultural transitions may include homesickness, boredom or fatigue, physical complaints, feeling of depression or helplessness and/or hostility toward the host culture. However, these reactions are usually short-lived and completely normal. If you are experiencing more than typical reactions, long-lasting feelings of the above, or if you would benefit from assistance with these feeling, please seek assistance with either local professionals, home support networks, your study or work abroad program, or the Go Global office.
Different situations will call for different types of health insurance when traveling abroad. This mostly pertains to the length of stay. If you are going on a short-term international experience, you may only need travel medical insurance as you will only be a traveler or tourist in the country. For students who have coverage under their student association (i.e., UWSA, OPUS, GSS) there is some travel medical insurance included that in most cases is ideal for short-term travel, but you’ll need to research if this fits your specific trip needs. Students who have opted out because they have parental coverage will need to research if their current coverage has any travel medical insurance or if supplementary medical insurance will need to be purchased.
If you are going for a longer duration, you will need different health insurance as you are no longer deemed a traveler or tourist but a temporary resident. If you have coverage under one of the student associations, you may have the opportunity for your health insurance to be extended to cover you while you are abroad, but you will need to check with your student association and the associated insurance provider. If you are under your parent’s coverage you will also want to look into having the benefits extended to cover your time abroad or purchase supplemental insurance as standard issue travel medical insurance will not be sufficient when you are considered a temporary resident. Depending on your destination and the purpose of your trip you may need a specific amount of insurance coverage or to purchase insurance specifically from your destination country. It is also important to note for longer duration travel if you are going to be away for more than seven months you must notify your provincial health plan that you will be out of the province. If you fail to do so it may result in you not being covered under the provincial plan for up to three months when you return.