STUDENT TRAVEL ABROAD

FAU Education Abroad encourages all students to globalize their experience at FAU through on-campus activities and travel abroad.  FAU designates travel abroad as travel that occurs outside of the United States and its territories.  In conjunction with the FAU Global Travel Safety & Security Committee (formerly the FAU Education Abroad Safety & Security Committee), Education Abroad has developed a series of guidelines and procedures to support the safety and well-being of students engaging in academic and non-academic opportunities abroad.

More information regarding the following topics can be found below:


U.S. Department of State Consular Travel Advisory System

FAU considers the safety and security of its University travelers a top priority.  In January 2018, the U.S. Department of State revised its Consular Travel Advisory System to better support travelers in assessing the safety and security risks and considerations for international travel.  The new four-tiered system assigns each country a ranking from level 1-4:

  •  Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
  •  Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
  •  Level 3: Reconsider Travel
  •  Level 4: Do Not Travel

For countries ranked with Travel Advisories level 2-4, the U.S. Department of State provides the following risk indicators to clarify the reason for ranking: Crime (C), Terrorism (T), Civil Unrest (U), Health (H), Natural Disaster (N), Time-limited Event (E), and Other (O).  For one-time or temporary issues which may disrupt or impact travel abroad within a region, the U.S. Department of State issues Travel Alerts outlining potential risks and providing recommendations for action to take.

Additional information and international travel resources can be found on the U.S. Department of State international travel pages.


FAU Approved Travel Destinations

FAU Education Abroad and its university partners rely on a variety of governmental departments and non-governmental organizations to assess the safety and security of different regions throughout the world.  At present, FAU Education Abroad requires no additional approval processes for students groups or individuals traveling to countries designated Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) and Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).  Travel to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) countries may be considered on a case-by-case basis for faculty-led study abroad programs, approved university-related student group travel, Education Abroad exchange and direct enroll partnerships, and graduate students conducting research or study abroad. Countries with a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) designation are prohibited for all student travelers.

In order to petition for university-related student travel to a country designated Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), representatives must petition to the FAU Global Travel Safety & Security Committee (GTSSC), which will review the safety considerations for the region, activities to be conducted abroad, and provide an assessment and recommendations to the Provost regarding the proposed travel abroad.  The Provost will then decide if an exemption should be granted to allow travel with or without restrictions.  For more information on arranging a petition, please visit the FAU Global Travel Safety & Security Committee webpage. Please note, FAU reserves the right to suspend travel to any destination when world conditions alter the safety and security assessment of the country or region and travel could affect the physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being of student travelers.


Types of Student Travel Abroad

Study Abroad Student Travel

FAU Education Abroad organizes and approves credit-bearing study abroad programs for undergraduate and graduate students, including FAU faculty-led study abroad, exchange/direct enroll partner programs, and study abroad affiliate/U.S. based provider programs.  Prior to approving or offering a study abroad program, FAU Education Abroad assesses a variety of factors including geographic desirability, health and safety considerations, academic rigor and course options, and onsite and in-country support services.  All students are encouraged to consider participating in a study abroad program as part of their studies at FAU.  For more information on available options, please visit the study abroad program webpages.

University-Related Student Travel Abroad

FAU colleges, departments, centers, faculty/staff and Registered Student Organizations may endorse, fund, or organize undergraduate and graduate student travel abroad for individuals or groups.  This type of travel, known as university-related student travel abroad, includes but is not limited to:

  • Credit and non-credit bearing internships
  • Academic service learning
  • Practicum
  • Research
  • Volunteer service
  • Music or theatrical performances
  • Athletic events or competitions
  • Conference/symposia
  • Student teaching
  • Medical missions/training

University-related travel may be academic or non-academic in nature.  Students should speak with the appropriate individual(s) within the college, department, center, or organization, regarding travel policies and procedures as they may vary depending on the type of travel or programming conducted.  All non-study abroad travel must be approved through Student Affairs at their Student Travel website.  Once a student has completed these processes, they should refer to the information below regarding registering with the Education Abroad office for safety and security support services.


Insurance Requirements for Student Travel Abroad

All students who are participating in an FAU-approved study abroad program or university-related student travel abroad are required to purchase the FAU-approved international health and travel plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).  This mandatory insurance ensures that students are able to affordable access important medical and emergency support services while abroad.  Registration and billing for enrollment in the FAU-CISI plan is coordinated through the FAU Education Abroad Office.  For more information regarding costs and coverage, please visit the international insurance webpage.


Registering Student Travel Abroad

Any student participating in FAU study abroad programming or approved university-related travel abroad is required to register travel through the Education Abroad office. For FAU study abroad students, the travel registry is embedded in the study abroad application and admission process; no additional steps or materials are needed.

For students who are participating in academic or non-academic university-related travel abroad, details for registering individual and group travel can be found below.  Prior to registering, students should first speak with the appropriate individual(s) within the college, department, center, or \organization regarding travel policies and procedures, as they may vary depending on the type of travel or programming conducted.  Student are NOT eligible to complete the travel registration for support services through Education Abroad until they have an official letter of approval from Student Activities & Involvement.

Travel Abroad Registration for University-Related Individual Student Travel

The below process is for individual travelers only who are NOT traveling as part of an approved FAU study abroad program or any officially organized or recognized student group or organization:

  1. Once the student has been approved for travel by the FAU Director of Student Activities and Involvement, a letter of approval will be sent to both the student and the Education Abroad office.
  2. Once this has been received, Education Abroad will provide the student with the University-Related Travel document and the University-Related Travel Student Travel Abroad Registration form.
  3. Student will complete and submit the University-Related Travel Student Travel Abroad Registration form with a high-resolution color copy of the biographical information page passport and flight and/or travel itinerary to Education Abroad.
  4. Education Abroad will then invoice the student for the  FAU-approved international health and travel plan for the duration of the activity/programming abroad.
  5. Once payment is received and processed, Education Abroad will register students in the insurance plan (students should NOT purchase insurance directly from CISI).  CISI will then directly sent to the student’s FAU email account an electronic copy of their insurance card and additional information.
  6. Prior to departure and w hile abroad, students should inform Education Abroad about any changes to the travel itinerary.

 

Travel Abroad Registration for University-Related Group Student Travel


The below process is for officially approved FAU groups and registered student groups engaging in approved university-related travel that is not a study abroad program:

  1. Once the student has been approved for travel by the FAU Director of Student Activities and Involvement, they will be referred to Education Abroad.
  2. Upon receipt, Education Abroad will follow up with group leader to confirm the group travel itinerary and schedule a mandatory group Safety & Security Pre-Departure Orientation.
  3. Education Abroad will provide the University-Related Travel document and the University-Related Travel Student Travel Abroad Registry form to the group leader to disseminate to interested student travelers.
  4. Student will complete and submit the University-Related Travel Student Travel Abroad Registration form with a high-resolution color copy of the biographical information page passport and flight and/or travel itinerary to Education Abroad.
  5. Education Abroad will then invoice the students for the FAU-approved international health and travel plan for the duration of the activity/programming abroad.
  6. Once payment is received and processed, Education Abroad will register students in the insurance plan (students should NOT purchase insurance directly from CISI).  CISI will then directly sent to the student’s FAU email account an electronic copy of their insurance card and additional information.
  7. Education Abroad will confirm roster of participants who have completed all of the requirements for travel registry to group leader.
  8. Prior to departure and while abroad, the group leader should inform Education Abroad about any changes to travel itinerary or logistics.

For questions regarding registering travel abroad and to begin the process AFTER you have received your official Notification of Travel approval letter from Student Activities and Involvement office.