Know before you go information!

All IFAS Faculty need to be sure your CED and DED approve your travel.  I am taking vacation time as a fully paid County Courtesy staff, but still registered.  You will need to fill out a TAR. That is why I need to know where your funds are coming from so I can work with Charlotte in County Operations to be sure your TAR is approved and funds are available for reimbursement.

UF Faculty must register with the International Center on campus and get a Medex Card. http://ufic.ufl.edu/TravelRegistration.html

Medex is not insurance but will help to get you out of the country in the event of SERIOUS health issues or death.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

·     Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?

·     Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

Please provide me with a copy of your passport photo page and your medex card for our travel file.  I will also want a copy of your air travel itinerary.

If you wish to get any shots, UF has a travel clinic and Centracare also has a travel clinic. When I traveled before and got Hepatitis shots, I was told UF covered faculty for shots so I did not have to pay.  Shhhhh.  Try it.

Additional travel information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Costa Rica Specific Information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Costa Rica, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip by enrolling in STEP. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/costa-rica.htm

Has info on shots and diseases.

Draft Itinerary March 7 thorugh 10, 2012

Draft Itenerary March 5 and 6, 2012

Draft for March 5 and 6, 2012

Draft Itinerary March 3 -4, 2012

Draft Itenerary March 3 and 4, 2012

Airline Information

I am planning to leave from Orlando OIA to SJO, San Jose Costa Rica.

Terry and Becky are flying American Airlines via Miami International Flight 937 depart 12:25 and  Arrive SJO 2:10 pm

I am planning to fly into Miami and try to catch the same outbound flight so we all get to San Jose at the same time. 

FYI, Remember to book the ticket in the same name as your passport.

When you get your tickets, please also send me the flight info so I can add it to the file.

EARTH University driver will take us to the hotel March 3.

EARTH University PEP Program is our Host

EARTH University will provide transportation from San Jose Airport to hotel upon arrival, will provide tour guide and transportation as well as make arrangement for our accommodations at various locations.

More information on  EARTH University

UF Extension Faculty Study Tour Info

The draft itinerary includes visits to EARTH University and nearby communities, La Fortuna and San Carlos. Participants will have an opportunity to visit with local “Ticos” for an immersion experience and will meet with students from a variety of Central and South American countries to practice Spanish and learn about different cultures.  In addition, participants will be involved in a community service experience to build a biodigester in a rural community near the University.  Faculty will have a chance to visit the regional Extension Center, meet extension professionals from Costa Rica and give presentations on campus and to business owners in the communities.  Participants will learn about a variety of topics before and during the travel experience. 

Topics covered before travel will include:

·        Preparing for international travel,

·        Cultural sensitivity,

·        Costa Rica culture,

·        Basics of Spanish language.

There will be planned experiences with Costa Rican experts during the study tour based on faculty interest to learn about topics such as:

·        Sustainable agriculture

·        Horticultural crop export issues

·        Sustainable development

·        Community development

·        Sustainable ecotourism

·        Training tour operators

·        Rain Forest Ecology

·        Economic stability

·        Spanish language skill improvement

·        Comparison of Costa Rican and American culture

If you have other topics you are intereste in, let me know so we can work them into the agenda.

Welcome- Join our UF Faculty Study Tour