Step 4: When Abroad

Safe travels! Your international experience has begun! On top of all the preparation you have done up to this point, here is some more information to take into consideration and be aware of while abroad.

Be Safe

Once again we ask you to be familiar with the University of Windsor’s policies and procedures as it relates to travel and safety (To review see Step 3: Preparing to Go – Safety Abroad).

In case of emergency overseas you should be aware of the local emergency numbers and be aware of what procedures to follow. Information about the Government of Canada’s Emergency Assistance procedures can be found here: Request emergency assistance - Travel.gc.ca

Here are some other key points to keep in mind in case of emergencies abroad:

In an emergency situation, call the police, fire, or ambulance, the nearest embassy or consulate, or local connections as warranted by the situation.
In order to request emergency assistance from the Canadian government email sos@international.gc.ca, call the nearest embassy or consulate, or phone +1.613.996.8885. This information can also be found on the Emergency Abroad wallet cards provided by Go Global. It is also critical to know the contact information for the closest consular services and the closest Canadian Embassy (in some areas Australian or the offices of other countries provide services to Canadians). Information can be found here: Embassies and consulates by destination - Travel.gc.ca

Stay Connected

When travelling abroad, you will want to plan ahead for different modes of communication. Some countries will differ in how and where the internet can be accessed. You will also want to look in into SIM cards and e-SIM cards if you want to still use mobile data while traveling abroad. Depending on where you are traveling to certain apps and social media accounts may not be accessible and you will want to research an effective form of communication that allows you to stay in touch with family and friends.

If you are traveling independently you should remain in contact with the Go Global office, the Exchange Office, your co-op advisor, or your departmental supervisor at the University of Windsor. If there are any changes in your itinerary, please notify the necessary office or advisor.

Accessing Money Abroad

Before you travel abroad, it is good practice to notify your credit card companies and bank accounts that you will be using your cards outside of the country. This will prevent the credit card company or bank from putting a hold on your accounts for suspicious activity. If you plan to exchange currency prior to travel, it is good practice to do so at least a month in advance, in case the type of currency you need must be ordered in. If you are exchanging currency once you arrive at your destination, make sure that they will accept Canadian dollars. In some countries, American dollars are more widely accepted to exchange for local currency.

While traveling it is recommended to keep cash on hand to a minimum, having $100 Canadian dollar equivalency of local currency on hand in case of emergencies or cash expenses is recommended. In most places, credit cards are widely accepted, though small businesses, especially restaurants or within markets, are more likely to accept cash only.

Most bank/debit cards are accepted at ATMs worldwide, but withdrawal fees will apply. Take precaution when withdrawing cash in public. Make sure to safeguard your pin number and to keep an out for pickpockets.

Be An Ambassador

When you are traveling abroad remember that you represent yourself, your family, the University of Windsor, your community, and Canada. Many international experiences only work when partners in other countries are receptive to receiving University of Windsor students. If your actions are negative, it could discourage institutions from continuing partnerships or building opportunities for future students. However, when your actions are positive it helps to continue to strengthen the relationships between the University of Windsor and our partners. It also presents the opportunity for students you meet abroad to want to come to the University of Windsor on exchange.

It can be helpful before you leave to prepare a fact sheet about the University of Windsor, the City of Windsor, and Canada as a whole. Think of what your highlights are for living and studying in Windsor and be prepared to share these with students you meet abroad.

Share Your Experience – Pictures, Videos & Social Media

Please share your pictures of you and/or your group during the experience with the Go Global Office, as well as the Exchange Office if you went on exchange, the co-op office if you went on work placement, or your faculty/department. If you have it, please bring University of Windsor gear to take pictures with while working or studying abroad. We would love to share your experience on University of Windsor social media and websites. There are even opportunities to take part in social media account takeovers or create fun videos about your experiences to be shared as well. If this is something you are interested in, please let the Global Engage Office know. During your experience, please feel free to tag us in any relevant social media posts as well. Here are some social media handles and hashtags for you to include, along with those of your faculty or department:

Photography While Abroad

While we want you to take lots of photos to commemorate your time abroad, it is necessary that you do so ethically and respectfully. Keep in mind the following four principles in order to take thoughtful and creative photos while traveling abroad.

Principle 1: Gain Informed Consent

Respect privacy and ask for permission
Explain how you will use your photos
Learn local laws and customs
Avoid photographing those in vulnerable situations (i.e., healthcare settings, photos with children, etc.)
Interact and develop relationships that inform your photos and stories they tell

Principle 2: Promote Dignity

Ask yourself, would you be comfortable with the same picture taken in your community?
Learn about ideas like ‘white saviour complex’ and other ways power informs the images, reinforcing harmful power imbalances and stereotypes
Who and what is the centre of the photo? Is it always you? Are you simply using the other people and places as your props?
Don’t fall into the stereotypical tropes of “poverty” that demoralize and deprive dignity of others

Principle 3: Questions Your Intentions

Understand your own intentions and reflect on how those shape the way you present your experience
Are you sharing photos that accurately capture your experience, or consumable touristic images that reinforce dominant perceptions of a place?
While your intentions might be good, that doesn’t mean that the photos you share automatically are

Principle 4: Bring Down Stereotypes

Elevate the voices and experiences of locals that they want you to share
Respect someone’s decision to not be photographed or enter into conversation with you. Are there reasons communities might be unwelcoming of your gaze?
How can photography be an opportunity for you to learn and develop relationships?

For more information on ethical photography check out the following resources: