Welcome
to DepartSmart. By working through the DepartSmart modules you can prepare
yourself for a safe and successful experience abroad. The modules cover
information on topics which are particularly relevant for those pursuing
academic travel. Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure you
are adequately prepared for your trip. Travelling is a test of your
self-reliance and organizational skills and putting those skills to use
begins now, before you leave.
Canadian Content
DepartSmart has been designed for the Canadian academic context. Wherever
possible information from Canadian sources has been used. If you are not
a Canadian citizen, DepartSmart still has considerable useful information
to offer and links to alternative sources are provided where appropriate.
How to use this course
Depending on your travel preparation needs it
should take you between 6 and 10 hours to complete the appropriate modules
in DepartSmart. Don't expect to cover everything in one sitting.
What you learn from DepartSmart will generate activities and tasks you
must accomplish to ensure you are well prepared for your trip so start
several months in advance and work at the course one step at a time. Work
through the modules listed on the table of contents to your left. Many
of the modules contain worksheets or activities which can help you prepare
and organize your trip.
General Instructions:
Complete the modules in a step-by-step fashion
using the left-hand navigation menu. The information is not country specific
so some items may be more applicable to your trip than others. Remember,
it is your responsibility to ensure you have reviewed all the information
relevant for your trip. DepartSmart is intended to assist you in discovering
what you need to learn more about, however, it is your job to follow through
and get the information you need.
- If you have a question and cannot find the answer, click on the Ask a Question button. This will enable you to send an e-mail to someone at your institution who can answer your question or direct you to other resources.
- To get a list of all the activities click on the Worksheets/Activities button at the top of the screen.
- For a comprehensive list of useful travel websites, click on the Resources button.
External links will open in a new window. To return to your DepartSmart module, simply close the browser window of the external website.
Travel to The U.S.A.
If you are travelling to the USA the module For
Those Travelling to the U.S. (under Travel Preparation on the left-hand
navigation menu) should provide you with all the information you need
for travel preparation to the USA. However, you should also use the left-hand
navigation menu to view the other DepartSmart modules on Site Specific
Risks, Safety, Health and Wellness, Cross-cultural Living, Leaving People
Behind, While You're Away, and When You Return.
