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Pre-departure orientation

Next dates

April 5, 2012
July 12, 2012
December 3, 2012

Location: DC, 1302
Time: 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Introduction

Student Pre-Departure Briefings are scheduled each term, (normally the first day after the term ends) by the International Programs Office and the department of Co-operative Education and Career Services. These briefings are mandatory, as endorsed by the Dean's Council effective November 1999, for any student confirmed to participate in an international exchange/work placement/internship/research or other study abroad program affiliated with the university.

Separate briefings are organized as follows:

Briefings

Pre-departure Orientation (pdf) provides an overview of information and issues related to safety, health, cross-cultural adaptation, host country research, risk management and other risks and responsibilities for a sojourn abroad. The Pre-Departure Briefing Agenda (pdf) outlines the topics and resources provided at the briefing.

Resources

Prior to the pre-departure briefing students are required to review the document DepartSmart. An information kit is provided at the briefing that includes a Pre-Departure Checklist (pdf), booklets from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade "Bon Voyage Information for the Canadian Traveller; Advise for the Women Traveller, Working Abroad and Crossing the 49th", an emergency contact card, Human Resources health information and other documents.

Other requirements prior to departure

All students must complete and send to the International Programs Office an Acknowledgement of Risk and Responsibility Form (pdf) and Emergency Information Form (pdf). In addition students are required to:

Emergency situations abroad

Students are required to follow any directive issued by the Canadian embassy, granting agency or the University of Waterloo while abroad.

Medical

All full-time Waterloo students are automatically covered by the Federation of Students (FEDS)/Graduate Student Association (GSA) Health & Dental Plan. For medical emergencies/assistance while traveling, please contact Student Care. Additional information on the Student Care health insurance plan is available here.

For medical and payment assistance call 1-866-369-8794. Canada's international country code is 011.

Travel

Emergency services are provided on an ongoing basis. For urgent assistance abroad call collect 1-613-996-8885, or email sos@international.gc.ca, or access online.

General

For immediate assistance at the University of Waterloo contact the University of Waterloo Police at 1-519-888-4911. Please inform the University of Waterloo Police of the specific details of your situation and the name of your supervisor/Faculty Exchange Representative/Study Abroad Manager. They will provide advice and contact appropriate individuals or departments on campus and provide a link for ongoing communication as required. Access is available 24 hours/day.

Please be assured that a number of support services are available to you at the University of Waterloo on an ongoing basis, including your time abroad.

Contacts

For additional information concerning pre-departure briefings contact:

International Programs Office
Drew Knight 519-888-4567 Ext. 32288
Maria Lango (Europe/Iceland/Israel/Scandinavia) 519-888-4567 Ext. 33999
Andreea Ciucurita (Americas/Asia/Australia/Turkey/UK) 519-888-4567 Ext. 35995

Co-Operative Education and Career Services
Merrirose Stone 519-888-4567 Ext. 38626

Co-op students can also access the University of Waterloo Global Co-op website for additional information prior to departure as well as useful contact information once they are abroad on work terms.

Students are encouraged to contact these offices to learn more about resources and support available for travel preparations. Students need to assume responsibility that they have adequately prepared themselves for a sojourn abroad.