Safety Abroad
The University recognizes that there are risks associated with all travel, and unique risks when travelling to, and within, international destinations. The personal safety of travellers is a priority for the University, but the responsibility for assessing and managing the risk of international travel is shared by all. All members of the University community must appropriately manage risk while planning, and during travel outside of Canada for university-related activities. The University provides current information, guidance, and support for travel outside of Canada. Travellers are responsible for availing of this information while planning, and during travel outside of Canada for university-related activities.
The Memorial Go Abroad Team supports all university travellers (student, staff, and faculty) in managing risks associated with international travel and coordinates with service providers to assist travellers in emergency situations when needed. Please contact goabroad@mun.ca for further assistance.
All student travellers are required to assess the risks associated with the University-related activities and the specific destination(s) by consulting the Government of Canada’s Department of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) travel advisories. GAC provides regularly updated travel reports and warnings for most international destinations. All student travellers are required to monitor the GAC travel advisories for their destination(s) until their departure and while travelling for University-related activities.
There are four risk levels:
- Level 1: Exercise normal security precautions
- Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
- Level 3: Avoid non-essential travel
- Level 4: Avoid all travel
*Levels 3 & 4 destinations are considered high risk destinations.
Travel to Level 3 “Avoid non-essential travel” destination(s) requires review by the University’s Travel Outside of Canada (TOC) Committee.
- Each traveler needs to complete a personal safety plan (or/and other required documents) to the TOC Committee.
- The TOC Committee exams the plan and supports the travel to ensure they are adequately prepared to undertake the risks of the travel.
- The TOC Committee provides the Provost and Vice-President Academic (or delegate) with guidance on each request to travel to a high risk destination.
- The Provost and Vice-President Academic (or delegate) communicates a decision to the traveler based on their preparedness to undertake the travel.
- A positive decision allows the traveler to commit funds (purchase airline tickets, etc.) and embark on the travel.
- A negative decision means the traveler should suspend plans to travel until such time as their travel destination becomes less risky.
Travel to Level 4 “Avoid All Travel” destinations normally are not authorized. Requests for authorization of planned travel to Level 4 destinations must be made in writing to the Traveler’s respective Vice- President.
**Please contact Memorial’s Go Abroad Team at goabroad@mun.ca as soon as possible for questions about the above process and for guidance on risk mitigation.
All students going on university-related travel outside of Canada are required to complete a Pre-Departure Session before leaving the country. Whether it's for a full year of exchange/research or for a week-long conference, it's important that student travellers receive Pre-Departure Preparation so the planning is in line with Memorial's Travel Outside Canada Policy. The Go Abroad team will support travelers in understanding the risk associated with travel to their destination(s) and work with travellers to develop risk mitigation strategies.
Topics covered in pre-departure sessions will include:
- Health insurance coverage;
- Risk management while travelling abroad;
- Personal health, safety, and well-being while abroad;
- Memorial's requirements for students travelling abroad (Travel Outside Canada Policy);
- Travel Safety Resources
Please check out the pre-departure sessions page to find out how to register for the appropriate pre-departure session for your university-related travel. For independent travel outside of Canada, please contact Go Abroad Team at goabroad@mun.ca for further assistance.
**information will be available shortly.
MOBI 1000
It is a set of self-directed pre-departure modules for students to support their preparation for study, work or research for Travel Outside of Canada. All student travelers must register individually and complete the modules. MOBI 1000 includes links to important travel resources and topics covered in pre-departure sessions. Student travelers are encouraged to refer back to the modules as needed before & during their time abroad.
MOBI 1000 is NOT a replacement for the mandatory pre-departure session, please register for the online module using the following self-enrollment link after completion of the mandatory pre-departure session. https://lmsservices.citl.mun.ca/studenttools /CourseEnrollments/enroll/191
Memorial Travel Registry
All students travelling on university-related activities are required to register on the Memorial Travel Registry. This registry is used to ensure that travellers have the support and services needed in order to safely travel outside of Canada. Travellers' contact and location information while outside of Canada on a Memorial University program is of vital importance for effective and timely communications in the event of an international incident or emergency.
Please complete the Memorial Travel Registry at least 3 weeks prior to departure.
All student travellers should take initiative to learn more about the destination country and implement necessary precautions to ensure personal safety and well-being. It is highly recommended to 1. consult with a medical expert, inquiring about any preventative measures that can be taken to ensure optimal health; 2. to visit a travel clinic for vaccination advice at least six to eight weeks prior to travelling. Additionally, it is important to ensure that all necessary preparations, such as acquiring the required documentation and vaccinations, are in place before embarking on the journey.
For example:
- official immunization record
- medical permission letter if travelling with specialized medical equipment
- prescription if travelling with medications
When travelling to certain countries, it may be necessary to provide proof of specific immunizations. To ensure that you meet the specific entry requirements of the destination country, please seek guidance from the destination countries embassy.
The Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify Canadians in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest. Please register here.
International students and non-Canadian passport holders should check with individual consular services of their home country.
All university travellers are required to assess the risks associated with University-related activities and the specific destination(s) by consulting the Government of Canada’s Department of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) travel advisories. GAC provides regularly updated travel reports and warnings for most international destinations. Review and monitor the GAC travel advice and advisories for your destination(s) prior to and while travelling for University-related activities.
Travel to “Avoid non-essential travel” destination(s) requires review by the University’s Travel Outside of Canada (TOC) Committee.
- Each traveler needs to complete a personal safety plan (or/and other required documents) to the TOC Committee.
- The TOC Committee exams the plan and supports the travel to ensure they are adequately prepared to undertake the risks of the travel.
- The TOC Committee provides the Provost and Vice-President Academic (or delegate) with guidance on each request to travel to a high risk destination.
- The Provost and Vice-President Academic (or delegate) communicates a decision to the traveler based on their preparedness to undertake the travel.
- A positive decision allows the traveler to commit funds (purchase airline tickets, etc.) and embark on the travel.
- A negative decision means the traveler should suspend plans to travel until such time as their travel destination becomes less risky.
Travel to “Avoid All Travel” destinations normally are not authorized. Requests for authorization of planned travel to Level 4 destinations must be made in writing to the Traveler’s respective Vice- President.
**Please contact Memorial’s Go Abroad Team at goabroad@mun.ca as soon as possible for questions about the above process and for guidance on risk mitigation.
Please consult your academic unit/department for the process of travel requests and continue to step 3 once you receive approval from the academic unit/department.
If seeking authorization to a destination with a GAC level 3 or 4 advisory, please consult section 2 of the Travel Outside Canada policy. For further guidance contact Dayna Vey at dayna.vey@mun.ca.
Insurance Coverage
Travelling faculty and staff at Memorial have a comprehensive program of travel health insurance included in their employee insurance benefits. For more information on your coverage, please refer to The Department of Human Resources.
Regardless of your insurance plan, it is critical to review and familiar with plan coverage, duration & location of the coverage, and how to submit a claim when needed. Check if the plan covers pre-existing medical conditions. Inquire about the definition, limitations, and restrictions of any pre-existing medical conditions, tests, and treatments you've had.
MCP holders or residents of other Canadian provinces should review their Provincial health plans and check if there is coverage & requirements while abroad. Information on the NL MCP out-of-province coverage can be found here.
Vaccinations
When travelling to certain countries, it may be necessary to provide proof of specific immunizations. To ensure that you meet the specific entry requirements of the destination country, please seek guidance from the destination countries embassy. For vaccination recommendations, please visit an international travel clinic for advice.
Memorial Travel Registry
All faculty and staff travelling on university-related activities are required to register on the Memorial Travel Registry. This registry is used to ensure that travellers have the support and services needed in order to safely travel outside of Canada. Travellers' contact and location information while outside of Canada on a Memorial University program is of vital importance for effective and timely communications in the event of an international incident or emergency.
Please complete the Memorial Travel Registry at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure.
Registration of Canadians Abroad is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify Canadians in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest. Please register here.
Non-Canadian passport holders should check with individual consular services of their home country.
Memorial has partnered with International SOS, an international travel medical and security service. All Memorial University members (students, staff, faculty) on university sponsored trips are eligible for International SOS coverage. We encourage you to review the content and services detailed here.