• University of California Travel Policy and Process 
  If you are new or planning to travel soon, use this checklist to navigate the travel pre-authorization, booking, and reconciliation process at UC San Diego. 
• Concur Travel and Policy 
  UC San Diego highly recommends the use of Concur—the official booking site for all business travel including employees and traveling companion. Booking via Concur automatically enrolls you in UC travel insurance program. 
• Field Operational Planner 
  Required for all travel involving undergraduate students and strongly recommended for all other University-related travel. For Global Seminars programs, please contact Study Abroad regarding their 56 Point Memo for program proposal requirements. 
• Export Control Considerations 
  Before making travel arrangements for UC San Diego business or personal travel with UC San Diego equipment or material, contact UC San Diego Export Control Office. Export Control will determine if your travel to a country subject to U.S. sanctions requires a license. 
• Travel Safety Considerations 
  Consult with UC San Diego Risk Management for further consultation about travel safety considerations in regarding certain destination locations or activities. 

Pre-Planning: Steps for preparing to travel abroad 

• Review the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories related to your destination(s) prior to making travel plans. 
• Register your travel with the U.S. State Department’s STEP Program to receive timely notifications of safety and security concerns. 
• Register your travel with the UC Travel Insurance Program 
  NOTE: This is done automatically when booking travel via Concur. 
• Review WorldCue travel intelligence planning tools and sign up for the travel alerts. 
• Download UC’s WorldCue Mobile App for information, access and alerts.
• Confirm what vaccines may be required and get them. 
  Consult with UC San Diego Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM). They may be able to provide vaccines. Consult with them early in your planning to confirm availability of vaccine at the clinic. 

Pre-planning tips and considerations while abroad 

• Register for UC Travel insurance Program. 
  UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) students are automatically registered in the UC Travel Insurance Program. Other study abroad students should register at UC Away travel registration. This is free travel insurance which includes international health coverage, emergency alerts from Crisis 24, as well as other emergency services such as emergency evacuation in a crisis situation. 
• Follow country specific travel advice at the U.S. State Department web site. 
  Countries with Level 3 indicate that travelers should “Reconsider Travel.” Consult your study abroad adviser to determine if the program will continue. Level 4 countries are designated “Do not travel” locations. Travel advisories and traveler information can be updated at a moment's notice, so check frequently during an emergency. 
• Register for the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). 
  This will notify the local U.S. Embassy that you are in the country and will allow them to better assist you if needed. 
• Review the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for communicable diseases and/or public health issues abroad. The website has a country level scale similar to the State Department‘s travel advisories site. Consult with UC San Diego Student Health Services Travel Clinic regarding vaccination needs and availability. 
• Have a communication plan with your family/friends. Stay in regular contact with them. Agree to use several methods of communication (e-mail, zoom, phone, Chat App, etc...) in case one is not working during an emergency. 
• Check the local country’s laws regarding which medications and/or drugs are illegal in any country where you will be traveling. Note that medications and/or drugs that are legal in the US might be illegal abroad.  
• Always bring enough prescription medication for the entire duration of the study abroad program. 
• Make copies of all important documents such as your passport, credit cards, medical prescriptions, and visa. 
• Inform the local study center staff as well as family/friends if you will be traveling outside of the host city for your study abroad program. Indicate where you are going and for how long.  
• Do not travel alone. Whether traveling in your host city or more widely, always go with at least one other person. This is called the buddy system. 
• Follow current events with local media and maintain situational awareness of your surroundings. Global news websites can also be a good source of information. A few examples include: CNN and BBC.  
• Avoid political demonstrations which could turn violent. 
• Consult up-to-date listings of security events happening in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. 
• Attend all orientations offered for your study abroad program. These include valuable information about health, safety, cultural adjustment, and many logistical issues. It is also an opportunity to meet the local on-site staff who can be important resources for you, especially in an emergency. 
• Reach out to the study center staff for a referral to local counseling/medical services if you are experiencing stress, anxiety, and/or depression. Do not suffer in silence.  
• Keep a small amount of cash in your money belt since some ATM’s may not be operating during an emergency. 
• Avoid wearing clothing or jewelry that stands out in a crowd, especially anything with identifying information such as place names that could mark you are a visitor.  
• Keep your mobile devices fully charged at all times.