COVID-19
The information listed below has been temporarily replaced by the Interim Policy for International Travel.
Learn more about the Interim Policy for International Travel >>
The information listed below has been temporarily replaced by the Interim Policy for International Travel.
Learn more about the Interim Policy for International Travel >>
There are a variety of ways GW students can explore the world while furthering their education:
If you have questions about the International Travel Approval Process, please contact the International Operations Administrator at [email protected].
Students traveling outside of a GW Office for Study Abroad program must complete the International Travel Approval Process before leaving the United States:
The university's main concern is the safety and well-being of its students. As such, GW reserves the right to withdraw its approval of your international travel at any time and for any reason.
If you are a student who is planning to accept an internship abroad, your host country may require a three-way contract between your internship provider, you (the student), and GW. To facilitate this process, GW has developed a standardized international internship agreement.
GW International Internship Agreement Template (PDF)
If your host country requires this agreement, please complete the following steps:
Alterations to the document may not be accepted. If your internship provider requests alterations or the use of a different agreement, the GW review and negotiation timeline can take up to eight weeks. Please plan accordingly.
Turnaround time may vary by school. Please contact your Dean’s office directly for more information. You must give your school at least two week's notice to sign the document.
GW cannot sign your internship agreement if you are not a registered GW student for the entire duration of the internship. Therefore, we cannot issue an agreement after the completion date of your studies.
After completing the appropriate online application through GeoBlue, students must print out an emergency contact card (PDF), which provides GeoBlue’s emergency contact information. This card must be carried at all times while abroad.
Before traveling abroad, consult the U.S. Department of State to review your destination's Travel Advisory, alerts, and destination-specific health and safety information. Enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Program to receive email notifications and alerts while abroad.
GW requires students to secure sufficient health insurance coverage for the duration of their travel abroad. To satisfy this requirement, students must purchase health insurance through GW’s partner, GeoBlue. This will give you access to GeoBlue’s vast network of doctors and hospitals abroad, as well as medical referrals and country-specific health and safety information. Once a student’s international travel proposal is approved, the student will have access to the GeoBlue insurance enrollment website.
GW students are not allowed to rent a car while abroad on GW-related travel.
GW students interested in peer-to-peer housing (Airbnb, etc.) should review the Risk Management policy.