All students participating in an FSU-related international experience must comply with the FSU Policy #3-17 Student International Travel Policy.
For the purpose of the FSU policy, international is defined as any travel outside of the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii. Therefore, travel to U.S. territories like American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is considered international.
Examples of FSU-related international experiences include:
- Part of a study abroad or international exchange program organized or supported by the Center for Global Engagement or International Programs*;
- Research, field work, internship, and/or service-learning opportunities that are supported and/or organized by university units;
- Organized by or on behalf of an FSU-affiliated student organization, including but not limited to recognized student organizations, religious groups, sports clubs, varsity athletic teams, civic engagement organizations, academic departments or administrative offices;
- Supported through FSU funding or an FSU account is used to hold and disburse funding, including travel funded by fellowships, grants and scholarships;
- Student(s) traveling internationally to attend a conference, present research, or participate in an activity because of their affiliation with FSU;
- Independent travel (defined as situations where the student is leaving their primary travel location during the set FSU dates for their University-related experience);
- Any other international travel in which a student participates because of their affiliation with FSU.
*Please note if you are working with the Center for Global Engagement (Beyond Borders or Global Exchanges) or International Programs, you do not need to take any additional steps to register your travel with FSU.
Student travelers must:
- Receive approval and register their travel (see the steps detailed below) and complete a pre-departure orientation prior to departure.
- Remain in compliance with the insurance requirement for enrollment at FSU.
- Enroll in CISI international health and security coverage through FSU.
- Follow all recommendations provided by FSU regarding health and safety, as well as the FSU Student Code of Conduct while abroad.
- Have access to a working means of communication (e.g. cell phone, landline, computer) while abroad, so that FSU can be in contact with them in the event of an emergency.
- Monitor their official FSU email (recommended on a daily basis, but at least every two to three days at a minimum) while abroad, and keep up to date on news/travel updates for their destination.
- Register personal side travel if leaving their primary location during their set FSU travel dates.
Student International Travel Request:
The FSU Travel Registry is designed to capture our global footprint (in one centralized database) to facilitate our risk management and incident response for FSU-related international experiences. Please note this process must be completed at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to any proposed travel date and/or before making any financial commitments (i.e. pay deposits, book airfare, arrange accommodation).
Step 1: Start/complete a travel request in the Student International Travel Request system. To do so, use your FSU credentials to login to the online portal. You will then be prompted to "+ Start New Travel Request" and enter some basic information (i.e. dates of travel, location, etc.). The portal will automatically populate required forms for you to complete.
Step 2: Before you proceed, please review safety and security information for your travel destination(s) from the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory (US DOS) and CDC Travel Health Notices (CDC).
- US DOS:
- If the travel destination is designated as a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel" it is considered a high-risk travel location.*
- FSU does not sponsor or approve student travel to locations with a “Level 4: Do Not Travel”.
- CDC Travel Health Notice:
- If the travel destination is designated as a “Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel" it is considered a high-risk travel location.*
- FSU does not sponsor or approve student travel to locations with a "Warning Level 4 - Avoid All Travel".
*For high-risk locations, you will be required to articulate why the travel is essential. Each travel request will then undergo additional risk review by the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC). If the travel is approved, a specific high-risk waiver will be issued. Due to the process, you must submit high-risk travel requests at least six weeks in advance. Read more about guidelines and procedures for high-risk travel.
Step 3: If no high-risk approval is needed, you must complete and submit all required materials to register travel at least four weeks in advance.
The process includes:
- Travel Questionnaire
- Assessment of Location/Travel Risk
Once submitted, the travel request will be reviewed for risk.
Step 5: If approved, you will be required to complete pre-departure materials. These must be completed before departure, and include:
- Complete a Pre-Departure Orientation & Quiz online through Canvas
- Register for STEP (or the equivalent for non-US citizens)
- Register for the FSU international health and safety insurance plan with CISI (link provided upon approval, coverage is at no cost to travelers)
- Acknowledgement of Risk and General Release
Step 6: Upon completion of requirements, approved student travel will be automatically imported into FSU's Travel Registry (operated by Crisis24). The registry is designed to inform travelers when an emerging issue/concern may affect them or their travel destination(s), and to allow FSU to quickly respond in the event of an emergency.
FSU International Health/Safety Insurance:
For approved student travel, FSU will provide international health, safety, and security insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Please note that this coverage is paid for by the Provost, and offered at no cost to travelers.
CISI provides comprehensive international coverage which includes:
- International medical coverage ($250,000)
- Accidental death and dismemberment ($15,000)
- Emergency medical evacuation ($250,000)
- Emergency medical reunion ($5,000)
- Repatriation of mortal remains ($100,000)
- Comprehensive security evacuation- for various types of non-medical international evacuations including natural disasters, political unrest, and security concerns ($100,000)
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Krutz the Director of International Travel, Safety, and Risk.