Travel Planning: Early Stages

Task 1: Determine U-M Travel Requirements

• To determine U-M travel requirements, you must locate your host country’s travel designation on Global Michigan Country Risk Ratings page. Once you have found your host country’s travel designation, use the U-M Travel Health Plan and Safety Plan Process Flowchart to determine what documentation must be submitted and to submit it accordingly.
• For a full list of requirements, review the requirements page.

Task 2: Determine travel regulations and public health-specific entry requirements for your destination

• To determine travel regulations and public health-specific entry requirements for international locations, visit the “Entry, Exit, and Visa Requirements” section of the U.S. Department of State’s Country Information pages and the CDC’s Travelers’ Health Destinations pages for your destination/s.

Remember:

• Entry requirements are subject to change without notice, so students need to stay up-to-date to verify they are able to enter that country before making any non-refundable purchases for travel. Meeting entry requirements is the responsibility of the student traveler.
• Before departure, students need to make sure that they understand and have a plan to meet all of the steps for entering that country. Without having everything in order, the host country will not let an individual into the country.

Task 3: Download and review the Additional Considerations for International Travel and the Travel Tips: Packing List, Travel Advice, and Arrival Plan Resource

Task 4: Review the U-M Travel FAQs page to learn more 

Task 1: Review the U-M Travel Health Preparation Guide

This tool helps students identify and plan for healthcare needs during international travel. Travelers are encouraged to answer the questions in the Travel Health Preparation Guide and consult with a health care provider, University Health Services (UHS), and/or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) where appropriate.

For additional Travel Health preparation, see the Global Michigan Health & Insurance Resources page.

Task 2: Review the U-M Safety Abroad Orientation

This program walks you through important travel strategies, including risk assessment, situational awareness, and handling emergency situations.

Some overseas programs provide housing. In other cases, students are responsible for finding accommodations. These resources can help students select safe housing abroad.

Task 1: Review the U.S. Department of State’s Lodging Safety website and complete a housing checklist

Task 2: Determine housing priorities

Many U-M students choose to create independent or group travel experiences abroad by working with a non-governmental organization (NGO). Complete these tasks to ensure you have found the right fit.

Task 1: Review the self-assessment guide

Task 2: Rank your priorities by using this priority guide

Task 3: Develop an NGO profile and understand how to evaluate a potential NGO partnership

Task 4: Review the Community Engagement Collaborating for Change Online Minicourse (MOOC)

• Developed by an interdisciplinary team of content experts from U-M, the Collaborating for Change MOOC is designed to help both novices and seasoned practitioners of community engagement work more effectively with communities and organizations, both domestically and abroad.

In partnership with the Department of Anthropology, the Global Engagement Team has developed the Safety Considerations for Independent Study & Field Research Abroad to support faculty, staff, and students on independent study or field research abroad.

The goals of the resource include:

• To direct travelers to existing travel safety and travel health resources and benefit all U-M independent travelers / field researchers
• To organize international research and fieldwork safety considerations by travel phases of Early Logistical Planning (4-12 months pre-departure), Pre-Departure Preparations (final 4 months before departure), and While Abroad.
• To provide suggested protocols for various emergency situations abroad

All independent travelers and field researchers are encouraged to download the resource and review when preparing travel.