if you are working abroad as part of your work experience, there will be a number of additional factors you need to consider when it comes to Health & Safety, and planning
By the end of this section, you will:
Understand some of the additional risks associated with overseas travel and working in another country
Understand the additional research you will need to do to make sure you are ready for a placement abroad
Understand more about the University’s support available to you, e.g. travel insurance
Understand what to do if your placement becomes unsafe and you need to travel back to the UK
Depending on the country you are travelling to, you may be in a very different environment to that which you are used to; this is a potential risk. You may already have some experience of being in the country you will be working in, for example, you might already have experience from visiting previously.
For any overseas travel, you need to be aware of risks associated with:
Travel
Health & healthcare provision
Law & tax
Immigration, borders & Visas
Language
Culture & customs
Criminal activity
Terrorism
Accidents
This training won’t tell you everything you need to know about the above topics, but you will need to conduct your own research to make sure you have a full understanding of all types of risks associated with overseas travel and working in another country.
To help you to conduct your own research, we recommend using reputable sources, such as: The UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website and their Foreign Travel Advice pages.
On the Foreign Travel Advice pages, you will find an A-Z list of every country or territory, with detailed information and advice that you will need to make an informed decision about travelling to that country, and working there on your work placement.
In addition, you may also find advice on the Embassy website of the destination country you are travelling to. You should make a note of their contact details for use during the placement.
What is the advice for the country you are planning to work in?
What does it say about the likelihood of a terrorist incident?
What does it say about the local laws and customs? What are the key differences you can spot between that country and the UK?
What else do you think you might need to know before you travel?
In addition to the safety-related aspects of working outside the UK, there is also a requirement for you to check you have the appropriate right to work in your destination country. There is a distinction between being able to travel to a country, being able to study in that country and to be able to work in that country; and each country has different limitations and documentation requirements which you will need to take responsibility for checking and applying for, in good time. Do not assume you are able to work in the country you are planning to travel to without checking and where appropriate, applying for the correct type of visa or permit.
The key places to check are:
The consulate website of the destination country;
The UK Government website (E.g. for UK Nationals living & working in the EU); and
Any advice your placement provider is able to offer you
How much support will your placement provider be able to provide to help you transition into working in another country?
Has your placement provider had UK students working there before?
What would the impact on you be if you didn’t have the appropriate documentation to work there?
As a Sheffield Hallam student, you have access to a comprehensive range of support to help you undertake a work placement, including work placements abroad. The additional support you will have access to for working abroad includes:
Access to the online pre-departure course on Blackboard
Access to free Travel Insurance – with varying levels of cover depending on your destination country and this does not include personal possessions cover
Access to an academic buddy who will check-in with you more regularly than a UK-based placement
Access to additional funding from the Erasmus+ / Turing scheme
Access to the International Experience Team
We also recommend you sign up to WorldAware, a free service whereby you receive travel alert notifications direct to your mobile phone for your destination country (and any countries you may be transferring through). Details on how to access this are provided on your University insurance certificate when this is issued to you, and are also available here:
Visit WorldAware, go to “Register”, enter our code 7796 and click “proceed”
Enter your travel and contact information and click “save form”
What level of insurance cover can the University provide for the country you will be working in?
What additional insurance cover will you need to take out independently?
Does the University’s insurance cover repatriation costs?
Do you know what you should check for if you are not able to get insurance cover for cancellations? (E.g. if you need to travel to, or through, a Red listed country)
When your placement has been approved by the University, you will need to think about:
Your Visa application (if applicable)
Accommodation – book refundable accommodation where possible
Travel – booking flights – book refundable tickets where possible
Money – opening a bank account
Insurance – purchasing additional cover, e.g. for your Personal possessions
Health – apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance card (GHIC).
All of these could be potential risks if you do not plan carefully. For example, if you can’t find where you need to go on the first day of your placement, or if you book accommodation too far away from the workplace.
We recommend visiting the University’s Go Global pages on preparing to travel and reviewing the Bon Voyage guide, for a few quick tips on orienting yourself.
You can also book an appointment with the University’s International Experience Team for advice & guidance in relation to Visas via hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk.
Your placement provider will also be able to help you to plan and get started on work placement. They will be able to tell you about the local area, staff social networks, what to do about paying tax etc. Don’t forget to ask your placement provider if you are uncertain about anything.
Do you know of any other students from Sheffield Hallam going to the same country as you?
Do you know what kind of visa you need to work in your chosen country?
During your placement, it may be necessary to contact you in the case of an emergency incident. The University has a comprehensive emergency incident management plan which includes checking-in with students who we suspect may have been affected.
You should not wait to be contacted by the University. Depending on the type of incident, it may be appropriate for you to contact:
Your placement provider
Your Placement Academic Supervisor (or equivalent)
The Work Experience Team: workexperience@shu.ac.uk
British Embassy of your host country
University’s emergency assistance insurer (+44 (0)20 7173 7796) – save this number!
Your own insurer
If you have a genuine emergency outside normal university working hours, you can use the emergency central number on +44 (0)114 225 8888. This number is printed on the back of your shucard.
It may become necessary for the University to ask you to leave your placement, or continue your placement remotely from a safer location, such as by returning to the UK, or to a country of which you are a permanent resident. If this should happen, your situation and next steps will be discussed in detail, with assistance provided by the University’s insurers where appropriate and available depending on the level of cover we have been able to provide for you.
What should you do first in an emergency?
Would you be able to identify a safe place to get help?
What would you consider an emergency?
You will need to take responsibility for, and accept the following:
• Checking for any travel restrictions or requirements set by both the UK Government and the destination country in terms of travel access, testing, quarantine and vaccinations and that you will need to regularly monitor the UK Government’s travel advice and the FCDO advice for the host country (and any countries you may transit through) both pre-departure and in preparation for my return.
• That you are aware that the travel restrictions imposed by the UK Government and the destination country can change at any time before departure and during the mobility.
• That you understand that travel restrictions can change at any time and a short notice and there is a risk that my mobility may have to be cancelled in the event that on the day of travel if it no longer meets the conditions under which the University is permitting travel.
• That you understand that any costs for testing and quarantine will be at your own expense.
• That you understand that you need to adhere to any local regulations for managing the COVID-19 risk in the destination country, such as social distancing, wearing of face coverings, hand hygiene, ventilation etc.
• That you understand it is your responsibility to apply for the University’s travel insurance (a mandatory requirement), a UK Global Health Insurance card (GHIC) as well as personal possessions insurance.
• That you understand that you are responsible for responding to contact initiated by your Placement Academic Supervisor (or equivalent)
• In the event of an emergency situation and the potential need for repatriation, that you understand that you need to respond to the University when they contact you to confirm your status and agree the next course of action
• That you should sign-up to the free travel alerts messages available free-of-charge from WorldAware
• That you have a record of the local Embassy contact details for your home country in the destination country
What is the relationship between the Risk Assessment discussed in the Health & Safety training and your responsibilities highlighted here?
How are your responsibilities different to UK based placements?
You should now know which sources to use for your own research and what you should research, in order to ensure your placement is safe and that you fully understand the risks involved
You should now know your responsibilities in relation to placements abroad
You should now know what to do if your placement becomes unsafe and you need to return home