Ryerson International

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Resources: Preparing for your trip

Planning for an overseas experience takes a lot of work and organization. Many students equate the workload to taking an extra course during their school year.  Here are some of the more important considerations to get you started:

 

Register with Ryerson International

Going on an international experience? Be sure to register with us before you leave!

Travel Documents

1. Passports

Everyone travelling overseas must get a passport well in advance of their departure date. Passports are also required before applying for visas. New security measures have resulted in updated regulations for passports. Be sure to visit the Passport Office early on to find out what is required for your trip. As a general rule, your passport should expire at least six months after your date of return to Canada.

If you hold citizenship in your destination country, carefully consider which passport to use when entering your host country. Using a local passport can save you visa hassles or tuition costs, but it may open you up to certain national requirements (such as military service).

Remember – never carry money with your passport! While it may be convenient to stash your newly acquired foreign currency with your passport before leaving, money tucked away here can easily be misinterpreted by border security.

2. Visas

Whether travelling for study, work, or pleasure, chances are you will need a visa. Visa applications can take a long time to process and may require a lot of information, so research your requirements well in advance of your trip.

To find out more details, contact the consulate or embassy of your destination country (find them on the web or find local branches in the Yellow Pages). The Department of Foreign Affairs can also be helpful. 

3. Other documents

  • Acceptance Letters: It is always advisable to carry any letters that explain the purpose of your stay in your host country along with your passport. If you are travelling on exchange, carry the acceptance letter from your host university and a letter from your Ryerson exchange advisor confirming your participation. If you are a study abroad student, carry the acceptance letter from your host institution. If you are planning to work abroad, carry an invitation letter from your future employer if possible.

  • Passport Photos: Passport photos often come in handy during your travels. Some countries or host institutions will require one for an ID card; occasionally countries will request a photo for a visa issued at the border point.

  • Documentation for Prescription Medication: if you plan to carry any medications or medical equipment (syringes, testing kits, etc…) be sure to carry documentation from your doctor. (See Medical, below.)

 

Medical / Health

1. Insurance

It is essential to purchase health insurance for your time abroad, from the day of your departure until at least one week past your expected return, in case your return home is delayed. Canadian provincial health care plans do not provide sufficient coverage to meet medical expenses abroad. The RYESAC health insurance plan provides some out-of-country coverage, but is also not sufficient on its own.

There are a wide variety of health insurance products on the market. If you have any questions about what insurance policy will meet your needs, talk to the experts in the Ryerson Health Centre. Some less expensive plans require you to pay for treatment upfront and then apply for reimbursement.

Some countries, provinces/states, or universities may have compulsory health insurance registration, so check with your Ryerson contact prior to purchasing insurance. Review the policy with your family physician to ensure your needs will be covered.

2. OHIP/Other provincial health plans

You must notify OHIP / your provincial health plan if you will be leaving Canada for more than 7 months. Information for residents of Ontario can be found here.  Residents of other provinces should contact their provincial Ministry of Health.

3. Other medical considerations

  • Find out the health situation at your destination: It is important to be aware of current health advisories and general health information for your destination. The Travel Medicine Centre can advise on vaccinations required for your host country. More information about the health situation at your destination can be found on the The health section of the Foreign Affairs Travel Reports or on the American Center for Disease Control.

  • Get checked before leaving: Be sure to get a complete physical examination done prior to your departure. Discuss any ongoing medical concerns with your physician to make sure you have a plan in place for medical complications overseas. If you wear glasses, pick up a second pair to bring along. And don’t forget to visit the dentist as well!

  • Medications: Fill any required medications to last you for your trip. Always leave medicines in their original containers, with clear labels indicating the nature of the contents. Pack a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor to confirm that these are required (especially if you will be carrying syringes or other medical equipment). Note that some medications that are legal in Canada may not be legal in other countries.

  • Sexual health: If you may be sexually active during your time abroad, be smart and pack a supply of condoms. Devices to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases/pregnancy may not be readily available in your host country and your health plan may not cover treatment for the consequences.

 

Finances

1. Student loans

Exchange and Study Abroad Students: If you receive student loans, speak with an advisor at the Students Financial Assistance as soon as possible to find out how this will affect your payments.

  • Exchange Students: participating in an exchange may result in longer free periods between semesters – this can affect your loan payment amounts. Make sure that your travel budget can accommodate this.

  • Study Abroad Students: When you go overseas as a study abroad student you are no longer registered as a Ryerson student. This may affect your loan amount and/or may require you to start repaying your loan.
    Before you leave, be sure to fill in power of attorney forms to allow someone at home to access student loan information on your behalf

2. Awards and bursaries

If you receive Ryerson awards or bursaries, check with Students Financial Assistance to find out if your overseas experience is compatible with your award.

Looking for awards to help supplement your travel budget? Visit our Financial Aid page for advice.

 

Other Preparations

1. Prepare for emergencies

  • Emergencies overseas: Photocopy all important documents and leave a copy at home with someone you trust.  During your pre-departure orientation you will learn more about carrying important numbers in a safe place while you travel. Remember to register with Foreign Affairs Canada before you leave - this will help the Canadian government to help you in case of emergency.

  • Emergencies at home: Talk to your family and/or friends about how to contact you in case of emergency. Also make sure to keep family, friends, and the international office up to date on how to contact you while you are overseas.

  • See the Emergency Guidelines for more information

2. Power of attorney forms

During your pre-departure orientation session you will learn more about power of attorney forms. It is important to designate someone you trust to handle anything that may come up at home while you are away - be it financial, health related, or Ryerson related.

3.  Finding Accommodations Overseas

Most students participating in exchange can expect to receive a comprehensive pre-arrival package (either on paper or electronically) from their prospective host institution.  This package almost always contains detailed information on either applying to stay in on-campus dormitories or finding short-term off-campus rental accommodation.  The local university's knowledge of the living arrangements in their city should be considered your main resource.

For those living abroad for other reasons, or who want more help with their housing search, there are a number of private companies that provide this service.  For example www.goliveit.net provides listings of student accommodations all over Europe, and a fee-based apartment-hunting service.  Other companies offer similar services within smaller geographic areas.

 

Risk Management: Health, Safety and Security

As a student participating in study abroad programs, it is your responsibility to obtain health, safety and security information of the host country prior to your departure from Canada. 

Before Leaving Canada:

Risk assessment is a way of identifying the risks involved in an activity, therefore enabling control measures to be taken in order to reduce these risks.

Ryerson’s Due Diligence Policies, including a Travel Risk Assessment Form can be reviewed online at the Centre for Environmental, Health & Safety Management website (http://www.ryerson.ca/cehsm).

Risk Assessment Resources:

Before leaving Canada, we strongly recommend that you register with Foreign Affairs Canada.  This will help the Canadian government to help you in case of emergency.

Emergencies While Abroad:

What is an emergency?

An emergency is a sudden or an unforeseen occurrence or crisis, usually involving danger, that happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action.

In case of Emergency

Contact the Study Abroad Office at the host institution and ask for assistance

Carry these numbers with you at all times. Both numbers can be called collect, 24 hours a day:

Unable to make a collect call from your current location? Dial the Canada Direct access number for your location to be connected with a Canadian operator.

Health and Safety Incident Report

Health and Safety Incident Report can be completed within two weeks of the end of your program and submitted to Suhair Deeb at Ryerson International.

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