International Field Experience Requirements

The University encourages any international educational or research experience to enrich the educational experience of students. However, these opportunities require careful planning to minimize health and safety risks.

Students Requirements

Faculty Requirements

Student Requirements

In addition to the general field experience requirements, students participating in international educational or research experience must meet the requirements outlined below:

A. Stay informed about State Department and governmental health organization travel warnings, and other indicators of health/safety risks in the country/region or area where an education abroad opportunity is planned.

For countries currently on the State Department warning list go to:
U.S. Department of State's travel warning list.

For current travel public announcements go to:
The Travel.State.Gov Web site

Before participating in an opportunity in a location subject to a travel warning, contact the Education Abroad Suspension Committee, through the Office of International Programs, to request permission to do so.
Get more information on request procedures

For questions contact Jodi Malmgren, Learning Abroad Center, at 612-626-7678 or jodim@umn.edu

B. Complete an online University of Minnesota Release and Waiver for students participating in education abroad opportunities. The Release and Waiver is part of the online contract. Access the Field Experience contract

C. Obtain international health insurance covering the time you are studying abroad. (This coverage is in addition to regular health insurance coverage, needed to cover items such as pre-existing conditions prior to international travel and medical treatment for illness or injury occurring during international travel and requiring continuing attention upon return to the United States.) Note: if you have Academic Health Center AHC insurance, international health insurance already is provided and included. Students who do not have insurance through the Academic Health Center will need to purchase international health insurance directly from the Learning Abroad Center on campus and provide proof of insurance to their faculty advisor.

D. Make sure you obtain the specific immunizations required by your destination country as well as the proper immunization documentation required. To Learn more about immunization requirements and where to obtain the immunizations click here.

“Student International Field Experience Checklist.”

Return to top

---

Faculty Requirements

Faculty/Staff who offer or advise any international educational or research experience opportunities must follow the steps outlined below.  

A. Stay informed about State Department and governmental health organization travel warnings, and other indicators of health/safety risks in the country/region or area where an education abroad opportunity is planned.

For countries currently on the State Department warning list go to:

U.S. Department of State's travel warning list.                                    

For current travel public announcements go to:
The travel.State.Gov Web site

Before offering or supervising an opportunity in a location subject to a travel warning, it is necessary to request permission from the Education Abroad Suspension Committee through the Office of International Programs.   Detailed information on request procedures can be found at the  Office of International Programs site.

For questions contact Kathleen Sellew, Office of International Programs, at 612-626-8834 or k-sell@umn.edu.

B. Ensure that the student completes the online release and waiver prior to travel.  A copy of these waivers will be kept in the Learning Abroad Center, so the students can be identified and located quickly if necessary for evacuation or other emergency purposes.

C. Ensure that participating students obtain the required international health insurance before participating in an educational opportunity abroad.   Note: if the student has Academic Health Center AHC insurance, international health insurance already is provided and included. Students who do not have insurance through the Academic Health Center will need to purchase international health insurance directly from the Learning Abroad Center on campus and provide proof of insurance to you, their faculty advisor.

If a program or course is offered for a group of students, make arrangements with the Learning Abroad Center to obtain health insurance coverage for students and include the cost of the insurance in the program or course fee. For more information click here

Faculty Advisors need to verify that students have obtained the required international health insurance coverage.

D. Advise the students to obtain the immunizations that are required by their destination country. To obtain the recommended immunizations for specific countries, please go to
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/internationalclinic.htm

 “International Field Experience Checklist.”

Return to top