Welcome to the Get ready to go! page for the 2024 McGill Barbados Field Study Semester. This website is designed to help you get ready for our departure in September. Please read through all the information carefully.
You will find here the 
2024 MBFSS Handbook with tons of information about how to pack and what to expect in Barbados. This is the main document to prepare for your departure. Please read it carefully as this is where you will find information, guidelines, lists...
If you have any questions about preparations, please do not hesitate to ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca (subject: AFSS%20question) (contact us).
It is time to start getting excited about spending this fall in Barbados!
Preparing for the MBFSS Program
Please respect all the deadlines. There will be no exceptions made. Documents can be dropped off in person, emailed as PDF forms or sent via regular mail to the Internships and Field Studies office. PDF sent by email should be saved under this format: Last name, first name - document type (ex: Tremblay, Sophie - physician form)
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Action to be taken |
Due dates |
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Deposit due ($1,500)* |
May 3rd |
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Make sure that your passport is valid for the duration of your travels. Some airlines might require that your passport be valid for 6 months upon your return as transport company are sometimes more stringent than the country's entry rules. Information about the visa application process will be sent to you. |
May 3rd |
| Submit all visa paperwork | June 3rd |
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Information session to prepare for departure (online) |
June 10, 10am |
| Fill and Sign the 2024 Student Acceptance Form |
July 15 |
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Fill out the Emergency Contact, Passport & Dietary Restriction Form. |
July 15th |
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Register and complete the McGill Pre-Departure Orientation via MyCourse. Registration is done through McGill Abroad. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS ONLY OPENED AT THE START OF EACH MONTH. YOU SHOULD THEREFORE REGISTER EARLY. Please send us the certificate for completion of the course. |
Certificate due on July 15th |
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Final payment due (Reminder of the fees : $10,767.45 (the $2,000 bursary will be processed shortly after and do not need to be paid)* |
July 15th |
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Fill out the Medical and Vaccine Form online, Print and Sign, and bring it with you when you meet with your Physician. After review, your physician will need to fill and sign the |
July 15th |
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Fill the Flight information form |
July 15th |
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Fill the Insurance information Form (more information on insurance required below) - make sure to start this process early as it sometimes takes more time than expected to get a confirmation from your insurer! Please send your proof of insurance (contract) to fsio.science [at] mcgill.ca. |
July 15th |
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Course registration in Minerva |
When courses are opened (we will let you know) |
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Fill up the McGill Student Travel Registry and register for Global Affairs Canada (see below) |
July 15th |
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Pre-Departure meeting (Online) |
Monday August 2nd, 10am |
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Pay your McGill tuition |
Before official due date |
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Arrive in Barbados for the start of the MBFSS |
Starting September 9th |
*Fees must be paid through Minerva the same way you usually pay your student fees. Once the payment has been completed, it is important to send an email to Student.accounts [at] mcgill.ca. In your email, please include your student ID, payment amount, payment date, and mention that it has to be applied to the MBFSS. Please cc ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca when you send your email.
Insurances General requirements
Personal travel medical insurance with a minimum $1,000,000.00 CAD coverage is required to participate in the McGill Barbados Field Study Semester (MBFSS).
Things to make sure that your travel health insurance includes:
- Emergency health coverage
- Medical evacuation coverage; pay for a medical escort to accompany you during evacuation.
Insurances for Canadian Students - McGill degree students
If you are a Canadian McGill student, you can use your student McGill health coverage (unless you have opted out of this plan). This plan covers students' travel insurance for academic study abroad programs. The insurance provided meets the above requirements. For details, visit I have a plan. Print your Travel Health Passport, available in the download centre, to keep with you at all times. Please note that you must notify Studentcare to advise them of your travel to Barbados. They will provide you with a confirmation letter that should be sent to IFSO. Please note that it sometimes takes weeks to get the confirmation letter, so please start this process early.
Insurances for International Students - McGill degree students
McGill has a compulsory group sickness and accident plan for all international students. This fee is automatically charged to international students. To request the extended health insurance while participating in the MBFSS, contact International Student Services.
Please send us of your proof of insurance. Even if you are covered through McGill, we must still receive a copy of the official letter confirming your coverage.
Other insurances
Students using other insurance company will be requested to provide a proof of insurance, and might be requested to provide more information if necessary.
McGill Travel registry form and Global Affairs Canada
You will need to fill out the McGill Travel Registry Form. Personal information, emergency contact, travel document, insurance information and immunizations must be provided.
To access and complete the form, you must download the app on your personal Android or iOS device.
Make sure to have the following information in hand:
- Passport, and travel visa information
- Travel insurance coverage and policy details
- Vaccinations/immunizations
- E-ticket and itinerary
You can complete the form in more than one sitting, saving your changes and come back to it later.
To finalize and submit the form, you will be asked to accept the terms of the Travel Guidelines.
Until you accept the terms and submit the form, the status of your form will remain incomplete and you will receive monthly email reminders asking you to complete it.
Register with Global Affairs Canada
The Government of Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home.
If you need to update your vaccinations, you may want to visit a Travel Clinic in Montreal
The Pre-Travel and Vaccination Clinic, located at the McGill University Health Centre’s (MUHC) Glen
Site:
Vaccination Clinic, Local D02.3312, Room 27
1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal (Québec) H4A 3J1
Phone: 514-934-8049
Website: https://www.mcgill.ca/tropmed/pre-travel-clinic-0
Clinique Sante Voyage St-Luc
1029, rue Saint-Denis, 4th floor, Montréal (Québec) H2X 3H9
Phone: 514-890-8332
Website: https://fondationduchum.com/clinique/