Graduate Student International Academic Travel
Graduate students at the University of Guelph have exciting opportunities to incorporate international experience into their programs, whether through travel, study, internships, field work or research abroad. These experiences not only enrich academic and professional development but also contribute to cross-border collaboration, global networks, and deeper insights in your field.
Academic Travel Abroad
Academic travel can include research placements, field work, conference attendance, internships, training, study abroad programs or other experiential learning outside of Canada (including the U.S.A.) Travelling as part of your academic experience requires planning and must be in keeping with the University's Safe International Travel Policy and travel preparation and pre-departure orientation requirements. Academic travel by students is not allowed if the destination country or region has a Global Affairs Canada travel advisory of Level 3 (avoid all non-essential travel) or Level 4 (avoid all travel). Check the status of your destination at travel.gc.ca
Graduate Students travelling on a University-related activity are required to:
- purchase GuardMe travel health insurance
- register with the Centre for International Programs and complete the DepartSmart online pre-departure orientation program
Research Abroad
Conducting your research abroad requires additional considerations including ethics and research agreements with collaborators abroad. The Office of Research offers a number of resources to researchers (faculty, staff and students) interested in conducting research internationally. The Office of Research will provide assistance to researchers in:
- Preparing international research proposals, seeking funding opportunities for international research projects and linking with international partners;
- Drafting/reviewing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and agreements with international partners provided the agreement contemplates research activity. MOUs and agreements which contemplate academic activity (such as exchange of personnel and/or students), will require input and review from the Centre for International Programs;
- Understanding how Research Ethics requirements are met when research involving human participants is conducted abroad; and
- Understanding roles and responsibilities regarding the supervision of students and other personnel engaged in research projects in the field (applies to faculty).
- Requests for funding for international research require Univeristy review and approval at the proposal stage. Student scholarships where funds are payable to and managed by students individually (and not payable to/managed by the University) do not require review.
- Researchers (faculty, staff, students) are NOT to sign agreements with international organizations or agencies for their research. Such agreements require review by the Office of Research Services and are signed on behalf of the University by appropriate signing officers.
- All research conducted by University researchers (faculty, staff, students) which involve human participants must receive approval from the Research Ethics Board (REB). Changes to REB protocols – even when they arise in the field – must be submitted to the REB for review. If a change must occur due to time pressures or difficulty in communicating from the field, the REB must be notified as soon as reasonably possible (reb@uoguelph.ca), using an Amendment Form.
International researchers must assess the safety and security situation for the research destination(s) in keeping with the Safe International Travel Policy.
- Faculty advisors to graduate students have responsibilities outlined in the University’s Graduate Calendar. In particular:
“Advising the student of regulations designed to provide him/her with a safe environment. These include relevant safety and/or workplace regulations as well as policies designed to protect individual rights and freedoms. Alerting the student to any personal risks that may be encountered in the course of the research and providing training, guidance and adequate equipment appropriate for those risks.”
- Faculty advisors are responsible for their students in the field to the extent that they must ensure that they have fully educated their students about the requirements (legal and administrative) for research both in Canada and in the foreign country(ies) to which their students will travel. Students must be made aware that they must follow the requirements – as outlined by their supervisor and pursuant to University policies. Any requests or demands to change these requirements must be referred to the faculty advisor, the Office of Research Services, or the Centre for International Programs.
Faculty advisors may also have responsibilities as Supervisors under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These responsibilities include ensuring that those individuals reporting to them are advised of potential or actual dangers to their health and safety and taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstance to protect the workers. These responsibilities are outlined further in the Competent Supervisor and Due Diligence training offered by Environmental Health and Safety
International Study Option
The international study option allows you to get an acknowledgement of your study abroad activities on your transcript.
Planning Resources for Studying Abroad
Safe Travel Information
Travel smart. Learn about safety while studying abroad.
Carbon Neutral Study Abroad
Explore how to reduce and offset your travel emissions.