Pre-Travel Considerations

One year to 6 months before your international field experience:

  • Educate yourself about the host country concerning: safety, health, legal, political, cultural, religious, gender, etiquette and environmental matters. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/
  • Arrange travel after consultation with your Faculty Advisor and IFE Counselor. Many students use the Student  Travel Agency (STA) in the Marshall Center. Their national website is http://www.statravel.com/
  • Arrange for medical and evacuation insurance. Proof of this is needed before departure. The State of Florida requires that all students studying abroad maintain adequate medical insurance for illness and injury. Students must show proof of existing health insurance coverage, which is also valid outside the US, or they will be charged for the USF policy.  Cultural Insurance Services (CISI) is available through USF.  Individual coverage price is $31/month for age 25 and under. CISI detailed coverage information may be found at http://www.culturalinsurance.com/ 

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International Field Experience Travel Award

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/requirements.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.

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Passports, Visas and Immunizations

  • Passport – A passport is required for an International Field Experience. You should have a current an up to date passport at least a year in advance of your planned IFE.  Maintain a If you have a current passport, keep in mind that some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the dates of your trip). Photocopy the vital information from the front of your passport and keep separately from your passport. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages. For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
  • Visa -- Visas are not the same as passports. Not all countries require visas but when needed it may be a long process and should be started early--at least 3 months prior to your departure. When you apply for your visa be sure it covers a period longer than your stay in the host country. A natural disaster, an illness, a missed train or plane connection could cause over-stay on one’s visa, with possible severe consequences, even in “friendly” countries.
  • Immunizations -- Immunizations are another consideration that may be put off until too late by students who don't realize that they must have certificates of vaccination to visit many countries. Some vaccines, such as yellow fever, are not readily available, and some vaccines are given in series, sometimes months apart.  The Pinellas and Hillsborough County Health Departments offer foreign travel services.  Check on and fulfill host country’s entry requirements for required and recommended immunizations, medications and HIV/AIDS and other testing). http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

Detailed Local Health Department information can be found at:

Pinellas County: http://www.pinellashealth.com/ImmuShotsTravel.asp
Hillsborough County: http://www.hillscountyhealth.org/immunizations/travel.htm

Health Insurance -- All students are required to have health insurance through the Student Health Insurance Plan or private insurance. Evacuation insurance is required.

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