Preparing for Travel and Education Abroad (Students)

Students working through an education abroad office

The education abroad offices work with students to complete all application, confirmation, and pre-departure requirements.

1. Register their travel with the University.

   Students will apply to their education abroad office. When a student is confirmed for their program or activity abroad, they are automatically registered for travel.

2. Submit a completed Student Release and Waiver acknowledging their academic, financial, behavioral, travel risk, and health-related responsibilities while abroad.

   Students complete the Student Release and Waiver. Once it's signed, it will be submitted to their education abroad office as part of the education abroad checklist. Students should keep a copy of the signed paperwork for their own records.

3. Obtain University-approved international medical and evacuation insurance.

   The education abroad offices will facilitate enrollment in a qualified insurance program as part of the pre-departure process.

4. Create an emergency communications plan.

   Students should work with program officials to obtain a copy of an existing plan or to develop documentation and procedures regarding safety, security, and evacuation. Review the Emergency Plan Guidelines for details that must be addressed in the plan.

5. Complete the mandatory online health and safety orientation.

   Students will complete a mandatory online health and safety orientation as part of their education abroad checklist. Students may also be required by their education abroad office to attend program- or unit-specific orientations.

6. Address any health and safety concerns prior to departure (e.g., check-ups, immunizations).

   Students complete a health disclosure process as part of their education abroad checklist and may receive follow up from trained education abroad professionals. All disclosures are confidential and honest disclosure assists the University in supporting student health needs abroad. The education abroad office will also register students for the USDOS Smart Traveler Program (STEP) or advise students to register themselves.

   Additionally, students are recommended to prepare for personal health and safety concerns by consulting with their health provider(s) to develop plans for ongoing healthcare needs. Students should consider visiting a specialized travel medicine provider for required or recommended preventive immunizations and medications, completing a dental check-up, and planning for other specific needs. Students can work closely with their education abroad office and insurance resources to address specific questions or needs.

Students NOT working through an education abroad office

All students traveling abroad for University purposes NOT working with an education abroad office must complete the steps below prior to participation in any travel abroad experience as a University student.

1. Register their travel officially with the University.

   Students register travel through the Student International Travel Registry. To initiate the registration process, students will need their University of Minnesota login information, travel location and dates, both a University and personal emergency contact (names, phone numbers, and emails), and the EFS number and name of budgetary contact in the unit, if the unit is paying for the mandatory University-approved international insurance.

   Before registration, any student planning to participate in a self-identified travel plan (something not promoted or organized by the University), should discuss their plans with an appropriate education abroad office, University faculty, and/or staff member to receive approval to travel for University purposes.

2. Submit a completed Student Release and Waiver acknowledging their academic, financial, behavioral, travel risk, and health-related responsibilities while abroad.

   Students will submit the Release and Waiver to the GPS Alliance through a process initiated by registering their travel. All students should keep a copy of the signed paperwork.

3. Obtain University-approved international medical and evacuation insurance.

   Students will complete the insurance application as part of the travel registry. The cost of the insurance can be billed to the student account or the designated EFS number.

4. Create an emergency communications plan.

   Students should work with program officials or international contacts to obtain a copy of an existing plan or to develop documentation and procedures regarding safety, security, and evacuation. A template for a Safety and Emergency Plan is provided that outlines details that should be addressed in the plan.

   An emergency contact in the office, unit, or college supporting/sponsoring the student's activity abroad will be entered as part of the travel registry. A 24 hours a day / 7 days a week emergency phone number will be required, and University office phone lines cannot be used for this purpose.

5. Complete the mandatory online health and safety orientation.

   After a student registers their travel, the GPS Alliance will facilitate enrollment in and track completion of the mandatory online health and safety pre-departure orientation. Students may also be required to attend program- or unit-specific orientations as communicated by their program, unit, faculty, or staff.

6. Address any health and safety concerns prior to departure (e.g., check-ups, immunizations).

   Additionally, students are recommended to prepare for personal health and safety concerns by consulting with the their health provider(s) to develop plans for ongoing healthcare needs. Students should consider visiting a specialized travel medicine provider for required or recommended preventive immunizations and medications, completing a dental check-up, and planning for other specific needs. Students should register with the USDOS Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) or, for citizens of countries other than the U.S., the foreign service office of their home country. Students may consult with the GPS Alliance, through the International Health, Safety, and Compliance team, who will serve as a resource to students who have health, safety, or security questions related to international travel.

   Students not working through an education abroad office will not complete a student health disclosure process.