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
My Trips Travel Registry
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
WUGO Travel Registration
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
Department Travel Registration Forms
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
Proposal/Petition
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
Travel Policy Training
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
SHS Consultation
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
Additional campus resources
Flowchart for Service Trip Travelers
