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Pre-Departure Resources

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"DepartSmart"

Step by step modules to guide you through pre-departure preparation, cultural adaptation and life abroad. eb.viu.ca/studyabroad/departsmart

"What's Up with Culture?"

An excellent site developed by the University of the Pacific. The focus is on the concept of culture and how it impacts one's ability to understand and function in a new and unfamiliar environment. It concentrates on the skills, attitudes, and behaviors which all education abroad students, regardless of their specific destination, will find useful. http://www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/

Watch this fun YouTube video on addresses and other opposites http://sivers.org/jaddr

Medical Insurance for out-of-country travel

You are required to provide proof that you have of out-of-country medical insurance for the duration of your time abroad. Options:

  • VIUSU Health and Dental Plan (Green Shield) - VIU's health and dental plan covers you for 60 days of out-of-country travel (Administrator is ETFS and the Underwriter is Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Co of Canada). Coverage maximum is $5,000,000 and the plan pays for hospital and physician fees, diagnostic services, emergency air transportation, interpretation services and direct claims payment capabilities. IMPORTANT: Ppick up an ETFS card from the Education Abroad office before you travel since Green Shield is not the provider for out-of-country travel.
  • The information is on the last 2 pages of the benefits booklet (pg 23 & 24). The booklet can be accessed at greenshield.ca/studentcentre. Click on VIU on the drop down list of universities, then click on Learn About Your Benefits Plan and last Take A Look At Your Benefits Booklet.
  • Purchase out-of-country coverage through BCAA, an insurance company or your travel agent and provide proof of purchase to Education Abroad. If you are travelling to or through the USA, your plan must cover you for that destination.
  • You may be covered if your parents have extended medical through their work. Provide proof that their plan will cover you for out-of-country travel.

Foreign Affairs Travel Websites

Visit the Government of Canada website for Canadians travelling or living abroad to find information on destination safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, health conditions, and emergency contact information for Canadian offices around the world. http://travel.gc.ca/

Check the Travel Advice and Advisories when you start to plan your trip, and again before you leave. If the region or the country you will be visiting becomes subject to a Travel Advisory, it may affect your travel health insurance or your trip cancellation insurance.

Country Insights- If you're planning to work or volunteer abroad, you need to have a good understanding of local culture and how it influences behaviour in the workplace and in relations between people. Country Insights go beyond the "dos and don'ts".

Travel Health Advice

Immunizations? Need travel health advise?

Registration of Canadians Abroad

Whether you're planning a short vacation or a long-term stay abroad, sign up with Registration of Canadians Abroad. This free, confidential service will keep you connected to Canada in case of an emergency abroad, such as an earthquake or civil unrest, or informed about an emergency at home. http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration

Learning Off Campus Brochure

On VIU's study abroad programs, you are required to meet the standards of conductas set out in VIU's Student Code of Conduct and the Learning Off Campus brochure.

Other Travel Information

  • Passport? You must have a valid passport good for six months after your return. Applications for Canadian passports are available at Canada Post offices or on-line (www.ppt.gc.ca).  Don't delay in applying for or renewing your passport once your participate in the field school has been confirmed. If you are not be travelling on a Canadian passport, please talk with Audrey Hansen in the Education Abroad office.
  • A useful site aimed specially at women travelers: www.journeywoman.com
  • Lonely planet: www.lonelyplanet.com
  • Travel cuts: www.travelcuts.com

What to Pack

Refer to this list as you start to pack (from www.onebag.com).

Learning Other Languages

Fun Geography Quizzes

Welcome Home! Resources for Re-Entry

  • Students returning from their Study Abroad programs often experience difficulties in re-entry adjustment, also known as Reverse Culture Shock. Follow this link for more resources on how to make your Re-Entry as positive as possible: http://www.viu.ca/educationabroad/reentry.asp