Faculty and Staff Leading or Sending Students Abroad

Co-op students hiking through the Andes in Peru while visiting the world's highest wind turbine.
Co-op students hiking through the Andes in Peru while visiting the world's highest wind turbine. Photo: Nicholas Graham

International travel: Data security and access

Please be aware there are specific countries or regions where online services such as Duo Mobile for UVic MFA, Zoom, UVic VPN, or Microsoft 365 are currently blocked due to economic and trade sanctions enforced by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control

A list of affected countries or regions can be found on the the University Systems website

If you are traveling to one of the affected countries or regions, please contact the Computer Help Desk for assistance prior to departure to discuss if there are any available options to access UVic information systems from your destination.

For further information and advice on data security as it pertains to international travel: University System's International travel and data security

International travel during the COVID-19 pandemic

For the latest updates and information on travel during COVID, please visit the COVID-19 Travel Website

If you are UVic faculty or staff responsible for organizing or supervising student trips abroad please follow the guidelines outlined below which are based on UVic's off-campus activity risk management policy. It is understood that the faculty, department or supervisor may have additional pre-departure requirements for their students.

Programs under this policy include, but are not limited to: exchange programs, co-op programs, practicums, outbound study abroad programs, field schools, fieldwork, sending students to conferences, research study trips and other educational events where the supervisor is not present. 

Things to consider when planning trips with students abroad:

  • Is it a one-time or an ongoing program? How does it fit your department’s needs and address student interest?
  • What are the details: dates, length, destination(s); course numbers and descriptions, number of and type of credit, evaluation method, and course pre-requisites; minimum/maximum number of participants, contact(s) at overseas academic sites and facilities, accommodation.
  • What are possible health/safety issues? 
  • Draft a budget outline.
  • How will this program positively or negatively affect the enrollment for your department’s other study abroad programs; etc.?
  • Will this include current UVic students, non-UVic students, undergraduates and/or graduates, students in a specific year, students in other departments, etc.?

The Office of Global Engagement offers support to Field School Leaders in the development and operations of a field school, including up-to-date waivers and consent forms. Even if you are not running an international field school these resources may be useful for you.

Please refer to the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment site to engage in the Field Safety Planning and Risk Assessment process.

If you have any questions, please contact Global Engagement.