Travel Safe

TRAVEL SAFE

The following is a brief checklist of considerations when traveling to ensure your safety. A more fuller briefing is given prior to going on exchange, etc. Information should be cross referenced with Foreign Affairs of Canada's booklet"Bon Voyage, but ..."

Information gathered for yourself should include all countries you intend to travel to. For example, if you are on exchange in France, you still may travel to Morocco, Israel, etc., Verify all documents and required information for all locations.

PASSPORTS

You must have a passport to travel to all countries including the United States (certain restrictions apply depending if you fly or drive to the USA). Your Canadian passport is your official identification as a citizen of Canada.Applications for Canadian Passports may be obtained at travel agencies, passport offices and Canadian embassies, consulates and high commissions. Allow at least three weeks for delivery. If you apply for a passport in person at a Passport Office, you can expect it within five working days. You could also ask your Member of Parliament to take your completed application form to Ottawa and then return your new passport to you.

If your passport will expire within six months of your departure, check with your destination's embassy or consulate in Canada for their rules regarding passport validity and expiration. Most countries will not admit you if your passport is close to its expiry date. 

Photocopy your passport's identification page and keep it separate from the original when you travel. For added security, leave a photocopy with a friend or relative at home. This will speed the replacement process should you lose your passport. When making a photocopy of your passport and have it notarized as a true copy. You can use this notarized copy as identification within the country that you are living in as an exchange student rather than carrying your passport on you. 

If your passport is lost or stolen, contact the nearest Canadian mission immediately for a replacement and report the theft to the police. Get a copy of the police report or the report number. To get a replacement, you need to complete an application form, produce written evidence of your Canadian citizenship (e.g., a birth or citizenship certificate), produce a copy of the police report or number, present new photographs and pay the required fee. Your passport is your most important legal document while traveling overseas - some countries require foreigners to carry passports at all times. Guard it and do not leave your study abroad site without it. 

VISAS

A visa gives official permission from foreign governments for you to enter their countries and to stay for a specified period of time. Visa formats vary, from a simple stamp in your passport at the time you enter the country, to an official document with your photograph attached. You will require a visa to travel to certain countries. Check with your travel agent or with the country's embassy or consulate in Canada to find out. Visas can take a few hours to a few weeks to obtain. If you are applying for your visa by mail, use registered mail or a courier, as you will have to send your passport in the package. Make sure you include all pertinent items. Forgetting to do so could delay your visa by weeks, which may cause problems for you (e.g., may not be received in time). Be aware of the in-country rules and restrictions governing visas and your length of stay. It can be exceedingly difficult if you stay after your visa expires. You could be fined, arrested, deported, or forced into a lengthy bureaucratic process. Take a few extra visa photos with you. They can be invaluable if you try to extend your visa, get a visa for a third country, or do other official business. You can obtain these at photography stores or mall photo-booths. 

For country specific information on obtaining visits, see Embassy World and forFrance specifically. Note that Embassies or High Commissions are always located in a nation's capital while Consulates are located in other cities within the host country. For a list of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates see here. 

 

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

"Dual citizenship" means that you are considered a citizen of both Canada and another country. Find out whether you or any family member are citizens of another country before you leave. Some countries may claim you as a citizen if you were born there, if one of your parents is a citizen, or if you are considered a citizen under that country's laws. There are privileges to having dual citizenship, such as being able to work in some countries without having to get a visa. 

However, when traveling abroad, you should always travel as a Canadian citizen and use your Canadian passport. Not doing so may put serious limitations on our ability to assist you if you encounter difficulties. Also, your Canadian passport guarantees your easy re-entry into Canada.

There may be unpleasant surprises. If you are considered a national, you may be compelled to do military service or pay special taxes. If you do run into problems because of your dual citizenship, contact the nearest Canadian mission immediately. 

Please review the Dual Citizenship booklet fully. 

MEDICAL CLEARANCE, HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS & PROOF OF VACCINATION

It is important to visit your doctor before traveling and to ensure you have copies of your prescriptions (including eye glasses), medical certificates, etc. Copies should be made and left with the person who has been given Power of Attorney for you. 

Also, give permission to your physician to disclose important medical history to the Department of Foreign Affairs in case of (medical) emergency. 

Because of specific health concerns and conditions in various countries, you may need to show proof that you've received certain immunizations. The record is usually asked for when you enter the country. Ask your health care provider for official records of your vaccinations. See the Centre for Disease Control for vaccinations that you may require. For an overview of health and safety concerns, see the annual World Health Organization guide. 

A website that you may find helpful is "The Travel Clinic". 

Veratect tracks global health issues. 

 

STUDENT LOANS

If you are currently on OSAP, they may continue your funding to study overseas, especially if you will be paying regular tuition and fees to UOIT. Check with the OSAP officeand the relative regulations. If you want someone to take care of your finances while you are overseas, make sure that you arrange for a Power of Attorney (see below).

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Will your OSAP forms or tax forms become due while you are overseas? What would happen if your

important documents were stolen, who would act on your behalf to replace them? It is very important that you arrange for a Power of Attorney. This gives your representative the authority to sign forms on your behalf. If you think that this is not important to you, please reconsider.

• OSAP has its own unique forms that should be completed: HRDSC form and MTCU form.

If your signature will be needed for any other official or legal document while you are away, you should make arrangements for a Power of Attorney. This gives a responsible person (your parents are usually the best option) to act on your behalf.

Note that two types of Power of Attorney exist and you should have both completed and notarized which can be done free of charge on campus with the Lawyer: w.a.reid(at)gmail.comwho works with the UOIT Student Association.

• The power of attorney for personal care empowers the person(s) you
  name to make decisions concerning your health if you are not mentally
  able to do so: Power of Attorney for Personal Care
• The continuing power of attorney empowers the person(s) you name to
  sign legal documents on your behalf, for example if you are not
  present or not in a physical condition to do so: Continuing Power of Attorney

When meeting with the lawyer mentioned above, have a copy of your passport notarized. 

INSURANCE

Travellers should consider trip cancellation, property insurance and health insurance to cover changed travel plans, and the loss of baggage or personal items and medical costs while abroad. Travellers should consider trip cancellation, property insurance and health insurance to cover changed travel plans, and the loss of baggage or personal items and medical costs while abroad.

Property Insurance

Some homeowner's insurance policies contain a clause about this coverage extending worldwide, so check your policy to see if you need any additional coverage. Normally a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss or theft will be needed before any claim will be considered. Taking preventive measures will decrease the likelihood of theft or property loss. When buying property insurance, ask:

• What does the insurance cover?
• What is the deductible (what amount will I be responsible for)?
• Is there a maximum amount I can claim?
• What items are not covered or get only limited coverage? (usually cash, jewellery, computers etc.)

If you can't bear to lose something, leave it at home. 

Supplemental Health Insurance

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. At best, your health plan will cover only a portion of the bill. It is your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary travel insurance policy. If you are currently covered by OHIP or another

provincial plan be sure to contact the closest office to find out what the limitations of your coverage may be while youýre away and after your return. OHIP and other provincial health plans also recommend that you purchase supplementary health coverage for traveling. See the Ontario Ministry of Healthwebpage. 

Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others require that you pay for your travel arrangements using that card. Verify the conditions, limitations and requirements before departure.

Be sure to ask whether your policy:

• Has an in-house, worldwide emergency hotline you can call if you are in trouble. Find out whether it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week; if the operators are multilingual; and whether nurses or physicians are on staff.
• Pays foreign hospital and related medical costs and, if so, whether it pays up front or expects you to pay and be reimbursed later.
• Provides for medical evacuation to Canada or the nearest location with appropriate medical care.
• Pays for a medical escort (doctor or nurse) to accompany you during evacuation. This service can cost as much as $100,000 if it is not included.
• Covers pre-existing medical conditions. Notify your insurance company and get an agreement in writing that you are covered for such conditions. Otherwise, you could find your claim "null and void" under a pre-existing condition clause.
• Covers premature births and related neonatal care.
• Allows for cash advances if a doctor or hospital requires immediate payment.
• Pays for the preparation and return of your remains to Canada if you die while abroad. Otherwise, this service can cost as much as $10,000.

Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or a relative at home and a traveling companion how to contact your insurer.

Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you leave the country. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Always remember to submit original receipts for medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. Keep a copy of the submitted documents for your files.

Review this sheet for questions to consider when purchasing supplemental health insurance.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDERED

As laws vary from country to county, students should review the information found on the Canadian Foreign Affairs website. As well the American organization CIEE has prepared "identity: sexual and gender identity abroad".

WOMEN

Review the Canadian Foreign Affairs guide for women on safe and successful travel. 

 

COUNTRY AND CULTURAL INFORMATION

Review:

• Country Travel Reports published by Foreign Affairs for travel warnings, travel advice, etc
• Cultural Insights also affiliated with Foreign Affairs provides cultural overviews for each country of the world
• the BBC also maintains a country profile page
• The Social Watch works with national groups and reports on the progress towards internationally agreed commitments and goals.
• Amnesty International maintains an annual report of human rights globally
• CafeAbroad is an American site developed for students on exchange/study abroad

REGISTER WITH A CANADIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE ABROAD

Register prior to traveling with Foreign Affairs your intentions of traveling. 

PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION

All students going on exchange must participate in an orientation facilitated by UOIT International. Dates and times will be sent to the student

 

RETURNING HOME

There are a number of excellent resources to review when you are returning home:

• Transitions Abroad
• Abroadview.com.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

For some parents having their son or daughter go abroad on exchange will mark the first time that their child leaves home. A useful resource has been developed by CIEE called "parents: pointers to prepare for the transformation". 


GUIDELINES FOR BLOGGING

• It is important to know that your blog experience is very public. Information should not be posted that alerts anyone to specific information of where you may be staying and/or living which may not have security available. Never offer any personal informationincluding your last name, contact information, home address, phone number, email address, last name of friends or relatives, instant messaging names, age, or birth date.
• Although we encourage students to document their new cultural experiences, students should not be overly critical of their host society.Keep blogs positive and do not use them for slander or to attack others.
• Never post provocative pictures of yourself or anyone else, and be sure any image you provide do not reveal any of the previously mentioned information. Always remember to look at the background of a picture too.
• Assume what you publish on the Web is permanent. Anyone on the Internet can easily print out a blog or save it to a computer.
• Use blogging provider sites with clearly stated terms of use, and make sure they can protect actual blogs, not just user accounts, with password protection. (Even so, it is better to assume anyone can see it.)
• Use blogging provider sites with clearly stated terms of use, and make sure they can protect the actual blogs, not just the user accounts, with password protection. (Even so, it is better to assume anyone can see it).
• Avoid trying to "outdo" or compete with other bloggers.
  An excellent resource for first timers and even those who are experienced can be found athttp://www.abroadview.org/stories/media/blogs/tips/