Aerial view of a city port in the late evening
Global REACH: Pre-Departure Timeline

This Information is intended as a guideline to help students plan ahead for their international experience. Individual plans may differ depending on the destination, type of experience and other factors.

An in-depth graphic illustration of pre-departure travel timelines

Prior to departure. Six months: Begin required passport/Visa process; submit travel authorization request to Global REACH; Contact UMHS Travel Clinic for appointments. Two months: Complete required Canvass modules; review applicable traveler's health info from CDC; complete a travel safety plan including HIV/PEP. One month: Purchase travel insurance through U-M; register travel with Global Michigan. Two weeks: Finalize communications plans with family, friends and project mentors.

Guidelines

Contact the Michigan Medicine Overseas Travel Clinic to schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that some immunizations require multiple doses and/or must be administered separately from other vaccines.

Complete the International Travel Authorization form through Global REACH.

Begin any required Passport/Visa processes. Ensure that your passport does not expire until at least 6 months after the last day of your trip and that you have at least two blank visa pages available.

Make sure you have completed the required pre-departure modules in Canvass.

Review the Traveler's Health Information presented by the CDC and well as well as your destination's risk-level assessment through Global Michigan

Make any necessary safety plans, including a plan for inadvertent exposure to HIV, particularly in settings where HIV may be more endemic. Have a plan for access to a Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) regimen, especially if the intended destination is a setting where HIV PEP may not be readily available.

Purchase travel insurance coverage through the University.

Register your travel plans with Global Michigan.

Consider registering with the US Embassy STEP program, which provides assistance if your documents are lost or stolen.

Create an emergency contact card to carry. Consider including phone numbers for: U-M and in-country mentors, fellow student, the local US Embassy.

Make photocopies of important documents.

Make an emergency communications plan for family/friends while you are away.

International Travel Authorization

All UMMS medical students planning to engage in international travel for clinical electives and/or research field work must obtain authorization from Global REACH. Applications for student funding are submitted via the same form. Learn more about travel authorizations