2025
PREPARATION SESSIONS:
Location: Seminar Room, 650 - 2001 McGill College
NB: Attendance in these sessions is an important guarantor of the safe and good functioning of the programme and are thus mandatory. In case of a serious scheduling conflict or emergency, please notify Dr. Julie Major. Failure to do so may constitute grounds for dismissal from the programme.
- Program philosophy; Safety and Health, Monday Sept. 16th, 18h00
- Cultural sensitivity and research ethics, Wed. Oct. 23th, 18h00
- Internship Night, Tuesday Nov. 12th, 18h00
- Code of conduct and house rules, Wed. Dec. 4th, 18h00
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All form that are sent to ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca should be saved as PDF under the student's "LAST NAME, NAME, form type". ex: "Fatoush, Rosemary, insurance proof"
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Topic |
Due date |
|---|---|
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Identify and submit applications for funding (see note below) |
Various deadlines. Find more information on our Funding page. |
| Final payment (How to is available in "program fees/How do I pay my fees") | October听1,听2024 |
|
Provide a short Spanish CV (no more than 2 pages), a copy of your passport biodata page, and your signed |
Sunday Sept 29th, 2024 |
|
Fill out the form (Online) |
October 21st, 2024 |
Sign the Program Acceptance Form (filling the top before signing at the bottom)听 2025 Acceptance Form |
October 21st, 2024 |
|
(Online) should be filled, printed, and presented to your physician with a printed version of the |
October 21st, 2024听(book an appointment asap) |
|
Proof of adequate travel insurance (fill the听听online and send the required proof by email as a pdf document saved under "last name, first name-insurance proof" @ ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca). See specific information about travel insurance in the notes below. |
October 21st, 2024 |
|
. |
October 21st, 2024 |
|
Fill up the听McGill Student Travel Registry听and register for听Global Affairs Canada听(see notes below) |
October 21st, 2024 |
| Register and complete the McGill Pre-Departure Orientation听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. Download your certificate as soon as you complete the class as it will not be available after the end of the month.听Please send us the certificate for completion of the course @ ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca. | October 21st, 2024 |
| STRI registration 鈥� You can find information in your preparation package and will receive more information about registration in due course听from Ms. Lady Mancilla | 听 |
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FUNDING
There are a number of funding opportunities available to you that will help lower the costs associated with the MPFSS. These are gathered under /pfss/funding. Note that there are various deadlines at play here so the earlier you get started, the better your chances.
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MEDICAL FORM
This form has to be filled out with your own physician, or with a medical doctor from the Student Wellness Hub. Book your appointment NOW. You will find information to contact the Wellness Hub here.听
The Medical form should first be filled online and be printed and brought with you when you visit your physician. Please make sure that your physician fills the 鈥淧hysician form鈥� and submit the scanned copy saved in pdf under "last name, first name-Physician" to ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca
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Insurances requirements
Make sure that your travel health insurance includes:
- Personal travel medical insurance with a minimum $1,000,000.00 CAD coverage is required to participate in the McGill Panama Field Study Semester (MPFSS). This can be difficult to get in Europe. It might therefore be a good idea to exceptionally get the McGill insurance this year.
- Medevac coverage - an emergency air ambulance service that flies clients from their home communities to the nearest hospital that offers the treatment they need. We will check that this is included in your insurance, so please make sure to have it.
- Emergency health coverage.
- You should make sure to read the exclusions of your insurance attentively. Pre-existing medical conditions might not be covered as well as specific activities including some sports. For example, the McGill insurance is very specific about the conditions in which scuba diving听would be covered. Insurances are not all the same, and you might need to shop around and call different insurers to make sure that you are covered according to your own specific needs.
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Insurances for Canadian Students - McGill degree students
If you are a Canadian McGill student, you can use your student health coverage (unless you have opted out of this plan). This plan covers students' travel insurance for academic study abroad programs. The insurance provided by ASEQ meets the above requirements. For details, visit听听Print your Travel Health Passport, available in the download centre, for future reference. Please note that you听must听/ASEQ to advise them of your travel to Panama.听Provide them with your official acceptance letter to the MPFSS. Note that it can take a few weeks for them to reply to your request, therefore you should start this process early.
Please provide us with a photocopy of your proof of insurance.听Even if you are covered through McGill, we must still receive a copy of the official letter confirming your coverage.
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 extended health insurance while participating in the MPFSS, contact听International Student Services.听Note that it can take a few weeks for them to reply to your request. Please start this process early.
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Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
You may be able to get trip interruption/cancellation insurance through our travel agent, but it is a case-by-case situation, depending on where you are from. Talk about possible insurance with your agent when you buy your ticket.听
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CONFIRM FLIGHT INFORMATION
Flight prices have risen notably over the last year and don't show any sign of coming back down. Booking your flight earlier will help keep this cost down.
Everyone should have arrived in Panama and be settled in no later than the 3rd of January (classes begin the morning of the 4th) Since many of you will be arriving around the same time we will coordinate transport from the airport to the house in Bella Vista Neighborhood. To help this process (and thus ensure your ride from the airport), please fill out the flight information form online.
Please note that immigration officials upon entry in the country. If you are unsure of your return date, you may want to book a ticket that is changeable.
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McGill Travel Registry听
It is very important to fill the McGill Travel Registry before the PFSS. Personal information, emergency contact, travel documents, insurance information and immunizations must be provided.听
To access and complete the form, you听must download the app on your personal听听or听听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
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Travel start date: January 8, 2025
Travel end date: April 16, 2025
Destination: Panama City
Host Institution Name:听Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Luis Clement ave, 401 Tupper Building, Ancon, Panama City, Republic of Panama
Phone number:听+507-212-8000
Email address: Adriana Bilgray (BilgrayA [at] si.edu)
Term: Winter 2025
McGill professor name: Julie Major @ julie.major [at] mcgill.ca
McGill application reviewer: Myriam Theriault @ ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca
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.
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Global Affairs Canada
Register with Global Affairs Canada
The听听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.
