Travel Logistics
Required Travel Documents
Passport
All participants will require a valid passport for international travel and it is recommended that it be valid for at least 6 months past your expected date of return from your international destination(s). Each country has specific entry/exit requirements including how long your passport must be valid. To confirm these entry/exit details for Canadian passport holders for your intended country of travel please visit www.travel.gc.ca
Visa
Whether or not a field school participant will require a travel/entry visa will depend on the country of destination as well as the participant's country of citizenship. Where possible, guidance and information on the visa application process will be given by the Field School Instructor or Coordinator however legally they cannot formally advise on visas. It is ultimately each participant's responsibility to apply for and obtain the necessary visa in advance of travel, if required.
Participants requiring visas for field school travel will be required to provide a copy of the visa or proof that the visa has been approved/received to the Field School Coordinator once it has been obtained. Failure to obtain the required visa in time for field school travel will result in the participant not being able to continue with the program and having to withdraw from the field school. See Withdrawals and Refunds for information on the refund policy that will be in effect.
Additional Required Travel Documents
Some countries have additional requirements in order to gain entry to the country. This may include proof of vaccinations (i.e. Yellow Fever), proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your time in that country, proof of purchase of a return air ticket, etc. These additional requirements will be discussed by the various field schools but participants are ultimately responsible for ensuring they have all necessary documentation and meet all necessary requirements to enter a given country. Participants can familiarize themselves in advance with these requirements at www.travel.gc.ca or by visiting the website of the given country's Embassy or Consulate.
Note: Any participant who plans to travel before or after the field school is responsible for ensuring that the necessary entry/exit documents for all countries being visited are in place.
Travel Arrangements (Flights)
In most cases, field school participants will be responsible for purchasing their flights and making their own travel arrangements to and from the field school destination. It is rare that group bookings will be made in order to allow participants to make travel arrangements that meet their personal needs and wants. In some cases, if there are students wishing to travel together, the International Education Coordinator may liaise with travel providers on behalf of the group to assist with finding suitable flights.
Advice on travel arrangements will be communicated to field school participants, including suggested travel routes, dates they are to arrive and earliest date/time they can depart from the field school location.
Participants must not purchase flights or formally book travel arrangements until they have been given the go ahead by the Field School Instructor.
Participants must purchase appropriate insurance for their travel arrangements as per the Insurance section of this manual.
Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA)
Registration of Canadians Abroad is a free service provided by the Government of Canada that will notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important updates and information before or during an emergency such as a natural disaster or civil unrest abroad.
All field school participants with Canadian Citizenship are required to complete the Registration of Canadians Abroad which can be accessed at www.travel.gc.ca before travelling on the field school.
Non-Canadian citizens participating in field schools should check with the services offered by the government of their country of citizenship to see if a similar service exits.