Sending students abroad

• Check in on the latest travel risk policy to evaluate if the destination is feasible and/or what steps need to be taken to comply with MIT’s policy.
• Health and safety: Please review our sections on International SOS, what to do in an emergency, registering your students’ travel, and health care and insurance.
• Cultural awareness: GlobeSmart is an online resource available to the MIT community with information on more than 100 countries.
• Pre- and post-trip reflection for students: Help students make the most of their experience by articulating goals for the experience and reflecting on what was learned upon return.

Trip leaders have special responsibilities when traveling with students:

• Faculty and staff traveling with students on group trips should register their trip as part of the program registration process. Contact Todd Holmes for more information on program registration.
• Trip leaders should not leave a location if students are still present.
• Review the brief introductory video available below for more tips and resources.
• MISTI also periodically hosts information sessions for trip leaders. Here is a recent presentation.

Many MIT students travel abroad as a part of the MISTI program, which creates experiential learning opportunities abroad for undergraduate and graduate students. They have expertise and experience in supporting students going abroad and can help and advise you whether you are planning a program or small departmental or lab trip.

For country specific information and advice, please be in touch with one of MISTI’s country program managers. For general advice, you can review a brief presentation on sending students abroad (PDF) and/or take a course on general health and safety through Canvas. Contact misti@mit.edu for more information.

MISTI also created the following safety video to help trip leaders prepare for travel. The guidance applies to and can help other MIT travelers as well.