Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Who do I contact about my international activity?
The table below explains who to contact based on the nature of your question. To ensure a prompt reply, please direct your inquiry to the proper contact. If applicable, please send your questions using your McGill email address, and include your McGill ID number.
| You are a... | You should... |
|---|---|
| McGill student with a question about what your exchange options are | Contact an advisor from your faculty |
| McGill student with a question about transfer credit or course equivalencies | Contact an advisor from your faculty |
| McGill student with a question about an exchange you're applying for or going on | Email the Student Exchange Office at studentexchanges [at] mcgill.ca |
| McGill student with a question about predeparture or safety while abroad | Email the Safety Abroad Officer at safetyabroad [at] mcgill.ca |
| Representative of a current or prospective exchange partner | Email McGill Abroad directly at mcgillabroad [at] mcgill.ca |
| Incoming exchange student in need of course syllabi or with questions about your program of study | Contact your host Faculty or Department directly |
| Student from a university that does not have a Student Exchange Agreement with McGill | Consult McGill's admissions website and apply directly to them as a visiting student. If you have any questions, contact the faculty you're interested in directly. |
What do I do in an emergency situation or crisis while abroad?
If you need to contact McGill in an emergency or crisis while abroad, call McGill Campus Security at +1-514-398-3000, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
International toll-free numbers: http://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-assistance/toll-free-numbers
Action to take if in an emergency situation or crisis abroad: https://www.mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad/safety-abroad/emergencies
What if I want to go abroad but do not meet the eligibility criteria for an exchange program?
You can apply for an independent study away program. Unlike an exchange, participating in an Independent Study Away means that you apply, and pay tuition, to your host university independently as a visiting student. This program is an opportunity to go abroad to a destination not covered by McGill's already existing global learning opportunities.
Click here for more information on Independent Study Away or contact your Student Advisor to explore your possibilities!
Who do I contact for questions regarding doing an internship abroad?
To do an internship abroad, contact your Student Advisor for more information!
Do you offer services to international students coming to McGill from abroad?
Our focus is mostly on providing services to outgoing McGill students. For students coming to McGill from abroad, refer to the information here or contact International Student Services for more information.
Two-factor authentication
Students travelling abroad are advised to download the two-factor authentication (2FA) on their mobile device prior to their scheduled departure. This will allow students to sign into their McGill affiliated email address while travelling which is required for safety purposes.
In the event that a student will be using a different physical phone and telephone number while travelling, please contact the IT Service Desk for support: 514-398-3398. Please note that a WIFI connection is needed to connect through the 2FA system.
Exchange Programs
How do I contact the McGill Student Exchange Office?
Please contact the exchange office by filling out the Student Exchange Office help center form. If you do not have a McGill Email Address, you can email studentexchanges [at] mcgill.ca.
Where can I go on exchange?
You can explore the list of McGill exchange partners with our “Where Can I Go on Exchange” tool. During your application, you will be asked to select and rank by preference, up to 4 different host universities on your application.
I am interested in going on exchange! How do I start the process?
What are the application deadlines?
The application deadlines can be found on Step 2 of the 7 Steps to Going on Exchange.
What are the eligibility criteria needed for exchange trips?
To participate in an exchange program you must:
- Have a minimum CGPA 3.0 (If your CGPA is under 3.0 due to extenuating circumstances, please contact your faculty advisor to determine your eligibility)
- Have completed at least 24 graded McGill credits by the start of your term abroad
- Meet your Faculty’s participation criteria. For more information, consult your faculty-specific exchange page or book an appointment with your Faculty Advisor for exchange program processes and degree requirements
How do I transfer my credits back to McGill?
Transfer credit processes and criteria vary by Faculty. Contact your Faculty Advisor for transfer credit support by following the link below for your respective faculty.
I need to cancel my exchange. How do I do that?
To cancel your exchange, please fill out the Exchange Cancellation Webform.
McGill Student Travel Registry
What is the McGill Student Travel Registry app and why do I need to register?
The McGill Student Travel Registry is an app that allows McGill to keep a record of your travel dates and study destinations so that you can receive alerts and check-in requests, via the app as well as your McGill email, in case the Government of Canada issues an “Avoid-Non-Essential Travel” or “Advise All Travel” advisory for your university-related travel destination. Be aware of hibernation Mode: Both Iphone and Android users are required to sign into their McGill Student Travel Registry at least once every 30 days while abroad.
All students who participate in university-related travel or activities outside of the Greater Montreal Area must register with the McGill Student Travel Registry. This includes exchanges, independent studies away, conferences, research trips and performances.
Is it mandatory to register my trip? Do I need to register a trip within Canada?
Yes. Registration is mandatory for all McGill students participating in any university-related travel activity outside of the Greater Montreal Area. The Greater Montreal Area includes: the communities within Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, The North Shore and South Shore.
What happens if I forget to register?
If you do not register your university-related travel activity, McGill may not be able to contact you in case a safety concern arises in your host destination. Failure to register may also result in consequences including cancellation of your activities and failure to transfer academic credits obtained on your activity.
Should I register a personal trip that takes place at the same time as my university-related trip?
No. The McGill Student Travel Registry is only for university-related activities. Personal trips, which can include weekend trips to neighbouring cities during an exchange program or any vacations taken at the same time as, before, or after the university-related activity, do not need to be registered with McGill. Students must familiarize themselves with their destination countries and prepare for risks they may encounter during travel or their stay abroad. Please review the Government of Canada’s safe travel documentation “Bon-Voyage but...” and other useful information on their Travel Outside Canada webpage.
https://travel.gc.ca/docs/publications/bvbrev-eng.pdf
Am I responsible for my own registration? Can a staff or faculty member register for me?
You must complete the registry yourself. Another person will not be able to register on your behalf as the app must be downloaded on your personal phone.
For instructions on how to register on the McGill Student Travel Registry, log into this webpage.
If there are any technical reasons why you are unable to register or download the app, please contact McGill Abroad via safetyabroad [at] mcgill.ca.
What is a university-related activity?
A university-related activity includes “all University-related curricular activities (i.e., credit or non-credit course work, exchange programs, field work, and research) and co-curricular activities (e.g., University-sponsored internships), where international travel forms an essential part of the activity, whether or not the student is pursuing the activity for academic credit or recognition and whether or not the student receives University or third-party funding.”
This can be any activity that is part of your studies or research for a McGill course or program, such as exchanges, independent studies away, conferences, research trips and performances.
More information is available here.
When should I install this app and register with the McGill Travel Registry?
We recommend that you install the app and register your trip as soon as you have the travel/activity information and no later than three weeks before your date of departure. In the case of a last-minute trip, please register as soon as possible.
For more information, please visit and log in to this page.
What are the pre-departure requirements for a university-related travel activity?
Before starting your university-related activity, you must register with the McGill Student Travel Registry, complete Pre-Departure Orientation on MyCourses, and fulfil any other requirements for your program or faculty.
Who will notify me to sign up for the McGill Student Travel Registry?
Exchange students will be reminded by McGill Abroad should they forget to register their travels.
Students participating in any other university-related travel activity outside of the Greater Montreal Area will be notified by their Department or Faculty to register their travels in the McGill Student Travel Registry.
Who will notify me to sign up for the Pre-Departure Orientation?
Exchange students will be contacted by McGill Abroad via their McGill email to be registered for Pre-Departure Orientation.
Students participating in any other travel activity abroad will be notified by their Department or Faculty to register for the Pre-Departure Orientation.
Where is my data stored? Who has access to my data?
The information that you have submitted regarding your trip is accessible by McGill staff authorized to use the McGill Student Travel Registry tool. Your location data and general phone usage data is not collected.
Your data is stored on the server by the app developer, Apparmor, now known as CutCom Software. In principle, the developer has access to any data collected through the app. This does NOT include your McGill sign in credentials and passwords. It does include the travel itinerary, your email, and emergency contact information. You can read more about their privacy policy here, and it is linked in the app’s “About” section.
Furthermore, all McGill affiliated applications, including the McGill Student Travel Registry app, is vetted by McGill and IT Services. It must also follow McGill’s Cloud Directive which you can view by clicking here.
