Travel Advice: Free Days

FREE DAYS STUDY ABROAD
Free days are yours; students, however, should be cautious of making concrete plans on free days. Unexpected events (weather, strikes, pandemics) can force the class to reschedule an event on to a free day.

Students can travel to other countries and/or spend the night outside of FIU Housing, however there are many FIU rules, regulations, and conditions attached to this.

If a student chooses to travel outside of the host country during a free day, the student assumes all responsibility, and must return to the host country in time for the next class.

The Education Abroad Participant Contract states as follows regarding free time travel:

“6. If I travel independently during free time while participating in an FIU sponsored program, I will notify my FIU program director or instructor of my whereabouts, and give the names of persons with whom I am traveling not for purposes of supervision, but for purposes of information. I assume responsibility for my personal safety, loss or injury, and conduct when engaging in non-FIU organized travel and/or activities, and release FIU from any and all liability concerning said travel and/or activities.”

Also in the Overseas Student Participation Agreement and Release and Assumption of Risk, it states:

“5. I agree and acknowledge that I will have time for, and may engage in personal activities unrelated to the purpose of the Program while I am abroad. Such activities will be at my sole cost, responsibility, and risk. FIU, FIU Board of Trustees, the State of Florida, or the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida, is not responsible for any personal or property injury, loss, or damage that may result of my participation in activities outside of the Study Abroad Program.”

We need to know where you are going, so just make sure the Honors College knows where you are and how to get in touch with you. We will do 15:00 Selfie Checkins on the WhatsApp group.

If a student decides to stay outside of the FIU Housing, the student will assume the complete cost, responsibility, and risk.

TRAVEL ADVICE NOTE
This travel advice is primarily directed to students participating in Professor Bailly’s FIU Honors College España, France, and Italia, Study Abroad programs. It is intended to help twenty-somethings explore, seek adventure, and truly immerse themselves in a culture. The goals are to travel affordably, travel safely, and live like a local. Always remember, however, that what works for some, may not necessarily work for you. Ultimately, your decisions are your decisions.