Depending on the location, students traveling abroad for their field experience are eligible to be reimbursed up to $1200 for air travel to their international site. For destinations that are far away from Florida or that incur higher air travel costs-like India and Africa -the full $1200 may be awarded. For other destinations, a lesser award may be given.

With the exception of up to $1200 reimbursement for travel expenses, living expenses and the cost of all field placement activities are the responsibility of the student, and should be considered in financial planning. Students are strongly advised to seek departmental and grant monies to support their international field placement.

In order to apply for the International Field Experience Air Travel Award, students must do the following before embarking on their international field placement:

1. Review the instructions for participating in an international field placement located at http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/ife/stepstimeline.html.
2. Secure an international field placement.
3. Submit an application and plan for field experience to your faculty advisor. Once approved, submit the documents to the International Field Experience Coordinator.
4. Complete the USF Travel Authorization Form. This form should be completed in Microsoft Excel so that the tabulations are automatically calculated. Print out and sign the form, submit it along with a copy of the original air travel receipt to the International Field Experience Coordinator. Note that air fare should be secured at least eight weeks in advance to ensure a good rate.

Immediately after the successful completion of field experience, students must submit a USF Travel Expense Form along with the original air travel receipt and boarding passes to the International Field Experience Coordinator.

Students will be informed of their travel award within two weeks after the end of the semester in which their field experience was conducted. Note that applying for the travel award does not guarantee reimbursement. Students should be prepared to assume financial responsibility for all international field experience expenses.

For more information please contact the International Field Placement Coordinator at (813) 974-4247 or ife@health.usf.edu