Meaningful civic and community engagement goes beyond hands-on work, challenging us to think critically and compassionately. Service trips provide students with transformative experiences where they learn and partner with a community beyond Washington University.
Through dialogue, critical thinking, collaborative partnership, and reflection, students engage, support, and empower communities. Service trips may or may not include direct volunteer service. Before and after each trip, students prepare themselves through workshops and discussions that help them to synthesize their experience with their academic work and aspirations. During their trip, students engage and dialogue with the community in order to understand the local culture, reduce the negative effects of the social issue, and empower the community.
As a result of their experiences, students can discover passions and develop skills to enhance their academic work and to positively impact communities.
Preparing for your Travel
Washington University has a number of resources to help you prepare for safe and impactful travel. Below you will find an outline of university expectations and deadlines for university approval, resources offered by various departments, and a flowchart to help you plan your preparation and travel effectively.
Requirements
What is asked?
- Traveler contact info, including student ID
- Emergency contact info
- Travel dates and locations –
- In country contact info –
- Travel companion (change to leader/organizer) info
- Travel purpose
- Flight plans
- In country transportation plans
- Housing plans
Who completes?
- All International trip student travelers
Access/Submit to
- Mytrips.wustl.edu, ITOC
Deadline
- 60 days prior to departure
Contact
- itoc@wustl.edu
What is asked?
- Trip Roster, including contact info
- Each traveler’s emergency contact info
- University adviser contact information
- Travel dates and locations –
- Determination
- Program student leader identification
- Travel purpose and qualifications
Who completes?
- Student trip leaders
Access/Submit to
- Grouporganizer.wustl.edu, WUGO Event Registration
Deadline
- 20 business days prior to departure
What is asked?
*This will look different for unique departments and programs.
**Academic programs should utilize Terra Dotta, and consult with Overseas Programs to develop and manage their forms
Who completes?
- All student travelers in applicable programs
Access/Submit to
- Sa.wustl.edu, Department/Terra Dotta
Deadline
- Varies by program and department
Contact
- overseas@wustl.edu
What is asked?
- Travel warning details
- Trip health, safety, and security risks
- Pre-trip programming – Risk management preparation
- In country resources, support systems, and partners
- Trip safety procedures – Trip emergency response procedures and resources –
- Traveler eligibility
Who completes?
- High or Medium Risk International trip student leaders
Access/Submit to
- https://global.wustl.edu/itoc -petition-exception-travel-suspension/
***this sends to the policy
***need additional or different link to the form
Deadline
- 60 days prior to departure
Contact
- itoc@wustl.edu
What is asked?
- Learn about safe travel
- Review travel policy, incident reporting form and procedures, and travel registration.
Who completes?
- Domestic trip student leaders
Access/Submit to
- https://grouporganizer.wustl. edu/event/1670157
- Campus Life
Deadline
- Must be completed prior to completing travel registration
What is asked?
- Workshop on health risks in locations traveled to
- Sign up for vaccinations
Who completes?
- All International trip student travelers – trip leader request training on behalf of the group
Contact
- britter@wustl.edu to schedule a training session
Campus Partners
The Office of Campus Life
The Office of Campus Life classifies student travel as any program or event that is more than 50 miles from Washington University or involves overnight stay off campus. Campus Life collects student travel information and offers mandatory training for student travel leadership, as well as referrals to other campus partners for additional consultation.
The International Travel Oversight Committee
The International Travel Oversight Committee reviews and approves all individual and group international travel. It collects individual traveler information through My Trips, and it reviews and approves travel through a Proposal and Supplemental Information process. ITOC plays an integral role in assessing risk and supporting communication and response infrastructure for students during their approved travel.
The Habif Student Wellness Center
The Habif Student Wellness Center offers guidance and administration of necessary vaccinations for international travel. They critically educate travelers on health risks and help students prepare and make informed decisions about their trip.
The Office of Overseas Programs
The Office of Overseas Programs partners with numerous school departments to support student travel affiliated with academic programs. They provide numerous resources for student academic travel programs. If you are part of an academic or departmental program, contact your organizer to determine your documentation requirements and how The Office of Overseas Programs can support you.
Additional campus resources
The Gephardt Institute
The Gephardt Institute serves as a consultant for community partnership, community entry and exit, and effective service.
The Washington University Police Department
The Washington University Police Department can provide consultation for safe travel and navigation during your trip.
The Office of Emergency Risk Management
The Office of Emergency Risk Management supports university risk mitigation and prevention, and emergency preparedness and response. They can help review your trip for safety and other risks and advise your plans to minimize, identify, and respond to risks.
The Insurance Office
The Insurance Office informs students of insurance options, coverage, enrollment, and utilization. This is applicable to international student travels.
Flowchart for Service Trip Travelers
