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
Review Safety When Traveling Abroad Guide and University of Windsor Policies
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.
Attend a Pre-Departure Safety Orientation
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 Global Engagement 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 Global Engagement Coordinator to review your results before you are given clearance to travel.
Submit Required Documentation
The following documentation needed to be submitted to the Global Engagement Coordinator by the timeline specified below.
View Required Documents listPassports 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
- Travel sickness and stomach problems
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.
For more informations please visit: Student Health, Counselling and Wellness Services
