For International Student Travel
All students are required to register any international travel that is sponsored by Vanderbilt. Examples of travel requiring registration include:
- Travel to international conferences
- Research related travel
- Trips organized by a student organization
- Trips undertaking using funds from a Vanderbilt-managed grant or fellowship
Full details regarding sponsored travel can be found in the Student International Travel Policy.
Basic Safety and Security Checklist
Students with upcoming international travel should plan well in advance and follow these basic guidelines. Travelers should educate themselves about their destination to avoid known hazards.
- Register with the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (U.S. citizens only)
- Determine if you're traveling to a country with
- U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4 on the State Department's travel advisory website
- Or a location currently under a CDC Warning Level 3, as noted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
- If yes to either, submit a Study Away Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) request for approval no later than 30 days prior to your trip
- Register your itinerary
- If travel was booked with World Travel/Concur, you will be automatically registered
- If not, contact the Global Safety and Security Manager for assistance
- Ensure you have coverage from Vanderbilt's international health insurance, GeoBlue (use group code KXP-37915)
- Read the CDC's list of recommendations and requirements for the destination country
- Visit a health care provider for a Travel Consultation and receive all recommended vaccines 4-6 weeks prior to travel
- Ensure you have the required visas for traveling to the destination country. CIBTvisas can assist you with questions
- Read and sign the Release of Liability Form and submit to your trip organizer or departmental administrative office
These guidelines are available as a PDF, and more resources about international travel are available on the main Global Safety website and Health and Safety page.
Vanderbilt Incident Response for Travel
The VIRT team provides safety-related guidance and assistance for members of the Vanderbilt University community who plan to be away from campus on VU-related travel, and ensures an effective and consistent response to any VU travel emergency. VIRT links VU community travelers to resources, and can help:
- Connect you with appropriate healthcare abroad
- Provide medical consultation to help you make informed decisions
- Guide you in using Vanderbilt-issued insurance
- Coordinate a medical or emergency evacuation from abroad
For an emergency, call +1 615-322-2745 and tell the dispatcher you want to report an issue to VIRT. For non emergency situations, send an email to VIRT@vanderbilt.edu.