Exploring U-M’s Opportunities Around the World

 

Safety & Security

These resources guide travelers in researching safety and security conditions at their destinations, developing risk mitigation strategies for personal well-being, and safeguarding data and electronic devices.

Safety Plan and Travel Health Plan Proposal and Worksheet

The University of Michigan safety plan process is designed to help international travelers develop mitigation strategies for health, safety, and security risks. Plans must be submitted for review at least three weeks before departure and before making non-refundable purchases towards a trip if travel is not approved or must be postponed. Travel to a Travel Health Low destination does not require a plan. 

Steps for completing requirements:

  1. Click on the continent on the U-M Travel Designations page where your travel destination/s is located and find your destination country.
  2. Determine the U-M designation for your travel destination/s: Travel Health Low Risk, Travel Health Medium Risk, Travel Health High Risk, a U-M Travel Warning, or a U-M Travel Restriction.
  3. Complete requirements depending on your status as an undergraduate student, graduate student, or faculty/staff.

Instructions for submitting travel safety plans for review:

  1. Launch the appropriate plan in M-Compass, depending on the risk designation of your travel destination/s:
    1. Travel Health Low Risk: No plan necessary.
    2. Travel Health Medium Risk: Travel Health Plan for international travel
    3. Travel Health High Risk: Travel Health Plan for international travel
    4. U-M Travel Warning: INDIVIDUAL Safety Plan for international travel
    5. U-M Travel Restriction: INDIVIDUAL Safety Plan for international travel
    6. Note: Students who are on “Group Travel Abroad” do not need to register their own travel or complete a safety/travel plan since their sponsoring U-M department or the program leader will complete a GROUP Safety Plan for international travel (for Program Leaders) on the student participants’ behalf. Details are on the Global Michigan Register Your Travel page
  2. A plan will be created for you in M-Compass, and M-Compass will send you email instructions for the next steps.
  3. Follow the instructions in the email, which include locating, completing, and submitting the plan in M-Compass.
  4. Once submitted, completed plans will automatically be forwarded to the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) for review. You do not need to email plans to ITOC. You may email umich-itoc@umich.edu to expedite the review if necessary.
  5. Need help? a Download M-Compass Help – Submit a Safety Plan for International Travel 

The following Safety Plan and Travel Health Plan examples are for reference and can help you gather the information needed to complete your Safety Plan in M-Compass. Plans must be completed in M-Compass. 

Example Safety Plan for Individual Travelers

Example Travel Health Plan

Example Safety Plan for Group Travel

Flowchart for U-M Travel Health Plan and Safety Plan for International Travel Process

Safety Abroad Orientation

Preparing to stay safe and healthy is key to a successful experience abroad. The U-M Safety Abroad orientation walks you through essential travel strategies, including risk assessment, situational awareness, and handling emergencies.  This online orientation is open to all members of the U-M community.

Safety Abroad Orientation Landing Page Screenshot

Safety Abroad Orientation Landing Page Screenshot

Visit safetyabroad.umich.edu to start the orientation.

Government Safety Resources

OSAC: The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides Country Security Reports, daily news, and U.S. consulate alerts and warnings. Visit OSAC to download the Country Security Report.

Smart Traveler Enrollment: Enrollment with STEP will enable U.S. citizens to receive information from the Embassy regarding new or updated State Department Travel Warnings and Alerts, as well as security and informational messages. In addition, the Embassy can reach out to travelers in the event of an emergency in-country and facilitate communication with the traveler should their family need to reach them in an emergency. Travelers who are not U.S. citizens should enroll in their country’s STEP equivalent. 

Students Abroad – U.S. Department of State: A user-friendly tool that consolidates multiple U.S. Department of State resources to assist travelers in learning about proper visas, Travel Warnings, recent embassy messages, important contact information, general safety, and security advice.

Travel Advisories and Alerts: To gain a better, holistic understanding of the travel risks in your intended travel destination, please view more than one government’s travel warning and alert information. A few to explore may include the United States Department of State, Australian Government Smart TravellerCanada Country Travel Advice, and the United Kingdom Foreign Travel Advice.

  • 115
    Countries

    U-M hosted students from 115 countries in Fall 2020

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    Volunteers

    U-M is the No. 4 all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers since the program was established in 1961