Suspension Extended for Student and Staff University-Sanctioned International Travel

While the global climate remains uncertain, and with the Government of Canada’s Global Travel advisory (external link)  still in place, it’s hard to predict the future of international travel and in-person activities abroad. The world continues to be challenged by the spread of COVID-19, and Ryerson must continue to prioritize the health and safety of our community, as well as our partners, in Canada and abroad.

After careful consideration, we have decided to extend the suspension of all university sanctioned international travel and in-person activities abroad for students and staff through the end of the winter 2021 term (April 30, 2021). This includes, but is not limited to, university-sanctioned international travel and in-person activity abroad connected to faculty-led trips, study tours, academic exchanges, internships, placements, co-op, student research, conferences, competitions, student group travel and Letters of Permission (LOPs).

Travel suspension does not currently apply to faculty members and instructors. Please see Ryerson International's International Risk Management website for faculty and staff for more information, and for future international travel updates.

When Travel is Not Required

Remote and virtual international activities that do not require travel are not affected by the above suspensions. This includes, for example, remote/virtual student activity with international partners and international students who are currently residing outside of Canada while completing their academic semester virtually.

Activities fulfilled remotely may require additional documentation. Each opportunity should be assessed based on any criteria developed by each Faculty, and in consultation with Ryerson International to determine any additional processes for allowing students to engage in remote international experiential learning activities. All considerations and decisions for experiential learning activities must align with the broader directives under  (PDF file) Senate Policy 169 and from the Experiential Learning Office. 

Further, please note the following:

• The international travel suspension does not apply to full-degree seeking international students who may be travelling to Canada for their studies, however the Government of Canada travel restrictions (external link)  remain in place. Students seeking to travel to Canada at this time should review the COVID-19 information and updates page for international students, or connect directly with International Student Support.
• Ryerson will not host in-person activities for short-term, visiting international students. This includes, for example, the inbound semester-based exchange program and visiting research students. A virtual exchange semester for both inbound and outbound students will be supported where possible.

Internationalization at Home and Virtual Global Learning

I’m pleased to share that Ryerson International has launched a new Internationalization at Home (I@H) Fund to continue advancing the university’s Internationalization Strategy. The I@H fund will prioritize initiatives that explicitly intersect with the mandates of equity and community inclusion, and that seek to prepare students to face today’s global challenges, to engage with diverse perspectives and to develop collaborative skills. As Global Learning is one of Ryerson’s five internationalization priorities, this allows for safe connection with our global community here at home, as well as virtual engagement with students and collaborators abroad. 

Students can access the I@H fund as an add-on component to Ryerson’s Student Initiatives Fund (see the  (PDF file) SIF Handbook for full details), while faculty and staff members can apply for the I@H through Ryerson International.

For More Information

Ryerson International is available to work with faculty and staff members to support the transition of in-person global learning student activities to remote options, and is available to support initiatives for virtual semester-based academic exchange. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Emma Wright, Manager of Global Learning and Engagement. For faculty and staff international activities, please connect with Sara Berman, Director of Ryerson International. For information about experiential learning, please contact Anita Abraham, Director of Experiential Learning.

We trust that all units, departments and faculties will share this information with students as relevant or appropriate. Please see Ryerson International’s student travel risk management website for more information. Thank you for your ongoing patience and flexibility as we continue to monitor this situation and to make adjustments to our programming.

Saeed Zolfaghari
Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic