Go Global - Health and Safety

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with all Health and Safety regulations that apply to your place of work or study while you are abroad. For more information on your specific destination visit: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice  

SafeZone: Swansea University provides a free app service to help give around-the-clock safety reassurance to students both at home and abroad. SafeZone is a simple-to-use application that’s free to download. It’s designed to help students summon security or safety assistance via their mobile phones. This will also allow students to call the emergency services of the country they are visiting. 

1. Go to www.safezoneapp.com and follow  the instructions for your device.
2. Once you have downloaded the free app, enter your email address, select Swansea University, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Global Risk Manager: Before you travel you should download the GlobalRiskManager app for travel advice, security information and to receive alerts for any incidents occurring in your destination country or region. Alerts can be configured by country, proximity, severity and/or category to ensure that you receive the alerts that you need. Make sure that the app used is the black one.

• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dc.globalriskmanager&hl=en_GB
• https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/globalriskmanager/id1251926213?mt=8

Please ensure you read through all sections below!
Any international opportunity due to be undertaken by students is subject to Swansea University’s international travel approval process, which is defined in the University’s International Travel Policy (https://myuni.swansea.ac.uk/living-in-swansea/health-and-safety/undergraduates/policies-and-procedures/#international-travel=is-expanded). Ideally, students should not make any financial commitment to an international opportunity (for example, book any travel or accommodation) until your travel plans have been approved (please see further information above). Any financial commitments made prior to full approval of your time abroad will be at your own risk. You will be liable for these costs in the event you cannot participate. In order for your proposed travel to be reviewed, you will need to complete the following steps:

Documents to be completed and submitted by all students:

- Request to Travel Form (review Request to Travel form guidance here)
- International Travel Risk Assessment form (Green, Red or Amber form, depending on destination and transit countries) 
- Health Declaration Form
- Drum Cussac online training

All documents are available online: https://myuni.swansea.ac.uk/living-in-swansea/health-and-safety/undergraduates/policies-and-procedures/#international-travel=is-expanded 

Recordings to be viewed by all students:

- International Travel Approval Guidance session recording (Passcode: 1&x0.aQt).
- View a copy of the International Travel Approval Presentation

Important for all students:

Your placement abroad is not confirmed until the international travel approval process has been completed and travel approval given by the Faculty, in addition to confirmation from your Faculty that you have met the academic threshold following examination boards. Students applying for travel approval for a summer programme will have their documents reviewed by the Go Global team.

Due to circumstances beyond our control (for example, as was the case during the Covid-19 pandemic), some partner universities may cancel exchange programmes for Swansea University students. If this happens, we will not be able to offer students alternative options.

Useful sources of information include:

• FCDO guidance (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice)
• Drum Cussac- (https://www.drum-cussac.net/)  
• Download the Safezone app and register for an account (https://www.swansea.ac.uk/life-on-campus/security-and-safezone/)

Next steps for Summer programme students:

Watch the relevant recording for your programme/country, to assist with the completion of the risk assessment form:

• Green rated countries (Passcode: @!cOX*0q) - (in addition, download Green Risk Assessment guidance)
• Think Pacific programme (Passcode: f?KM5sxE)
• Pagoda Projects programme (Passcode: 6^$Yqs3q)
• Travelteer programme - Nepal & Sri Lanka
• Travelteer programme - Costa Rica (Passcode: y0X^Pd#g)

Submit all documents (Request to Travel Form, Health Declaration Form, Drum Cussac Training Certificate and completed Risk Assessment Form) to studyabroad@swansea.ac.uk

Next steps for year or semester abroad students:

For students going on a year or semester abroad in 2023/24, please ensure you attend the travel approval follow-up session via Zoom held by your Faculty after the Easter break, which will give guidance on the rsik assessment forms you will need to complete:

• FSE - Monday 24th April @ 12pm: https://swanseauniversity.zoom.us/j/95629986893?pwd=clAvcVdDandGUDJkNFdhd0VSdnJXdz09
• FMHLS - Monday 24th April @ 2pm: https://swanseauniversity.zoom.us/j/97686335543?pwd=TDFXY05vTXZ0ZmxhYy92SGZKVkJuQT09
• FHSS - Tuesday 25th April @ 2pm: https://swanseauniversity.zoom.us/j/96436015390?pwd=b1kvR3dSKzB5ZW8zeXp6STRqYUZzZz09

Swansea University has a Personal Accident and Travel Insurance Policy that provides cover for students during their Year Abroad, Semester Abroad or Summer/ Short Programme. There is no charge for this insurance cover. Details of the cover are available on the following webpage: Insurance Information - Swansea University 

It is your responsibility to check the above policy is suitable for your needs. Be prepared to purchase additional Health Care Cover as required by your host university. This is compulsory in the USA, Canada, Australia and increasingly in many other countries.

If you have a medical emergency whilst abroad and need assistance through the travel insurance described above, you or someone on your behalf must contact Global Response who will assist further. Contact information is provided in the travel insurance policy. Failure to do so may make the above Travel Insurance cover null and void. 

If you have an on-going medical condition make sure that you have a letter from your GP/hospital that states you are fit to travel, and also always take a list of the medication that you need with you. You will need to declare any health conditions and allergies as part of the travel approval process. In addition to discussing any conditions with your GP, useful information is available online https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/ 

Prescriptions and Medication: If you are prescribed any regular medication, discuss the process of continuing your prescription abroad with your GP before you depart. Remember that medication, trade names and dosage levels may vary abroad. Consider taking translated copies of any important health documentation. If you need to take a large amount of medication with you, you are advised to ask your GP to provide a description of the medication.

Vaccinations and Immunisations: You are responsible for ensuring you receive all the necessary vaccinations required for your destination. Your host university may also require you to have certain immunisations. More information is available via: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

Medical Certificate: This is a requirement for entry in some countries and may be necessary as part of the application to your host university or organisation. 

Additional support: If you require additional support to undertake your period abroad, please be sure to contact the relevant service here at Swansea University well in advance of your travels. You may wish to contact the Disability Service or Wellbeing Services on campus.