Bobcats Away: Domestic Pre-Departure Orientation

Bobcats Away provides essential health and safety information to help participants prepare for upcoming domestic travel. The orientation is not location-specific, but covers important topics that apply to all travelers, regardless of destination or program length, including:

  • Personal safety and responsibility
  • Minimizing Everyday Risks
  • Security & Emergencies
  • Security awareness and emergency information

In addition to Bobcats Away, travelers will also participate in one or more program-specific orientation sessions led by the program director or program provider.

Looking for information about international travel? Please review our Bobcats Abroad page.

Who is required to complete Bobcats Away?

Bobcats Away pre-departure orientation is required for all students participating in for-credit domestic study away experiences.

How do I complete Bobcats Away?

Bobcats Away Orientation is completed online through Canvas. The course is interactive and divided into short, self-paced modules that take approximately one hour or less to complete. After completing all modules, you must pass the Domestic Health & Safety Quiz with a score of at least 70%.

  1. Overview: Learn about the purpose of the orientation and key expectations for participating in domestic educational travel.
  2. Introduction: Explore health, safety, and risk management considerations that will help you prepare for your program.
  3. Personal Responsibility: Understand your role in making informed decisions and contributing to a safe and successful travel experience.
  4. Minimizing Everyday Risks: Review common travel risks and practical strategies to reduce them during your program.
  5. Personal Safety & Security: Learn how to identify potential safety concerns, respond to emergencies, and access available resources.
  6. Wrap Up & Quiz: Complete the final review and pass the Domestic Health & Safety Quiz with a minimum score of 70% to fulfill the requirement.

After successfully completing the course and quiz, your completion will be recorded and updated in your application record. Please allow 1–3 business days for processing.

Access Bobcats Away

What to expect:

  • Build confidence by preparing for real-world travel situations and responsibilities
  • Learn practical strategies for minimizing risks and staying safe during your program
  • Understand how to respond to emergencies and access available support resources
  • Complete the requirement at your own pace through interactive online modules
  • Receive confirmation of completion once your training record has been processed

Questions?

If you have additional questions about your upcoming travel:

Attend OGO Drop-In Advising Email Global.Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

I have traveled extensively prior to this program - why do I have to attend a general pre-departure orientation session?

As an Ohio University student, our office has a certain level of responsibility (called duty of care) to prepare you for your upcoming travels. Participating on a global experience like studying abroad is different from family vacations, leisure travels with friends, or other types of travel you may have experienced. 

Because global conditions and university protocols are updated every year, completing your pre-departure orientation ensures you have the most current information and access to essential resources like International SOS and International Emergency Health Insurance.

Even if you are an experienced traveler, every program is different. While some material may feel familiar, these sessions often reveal new insights or reminders that are important for your experience. 

I have previously completed the Bobcats Abroad or Bobcats Away requirement for another program - do I have to attend again?

Your orientation (Bobcats Abroad or Away) is valid for one calendar year from the date you completed it and must be valid by the start date of your experience.

  • Same Program Type: If your new program start date is within one year of your last orientation, you are exempt. OGO will update your portal automatically.
  • Expired (1+ Year): If your last orientation was completed more than one year prior to your program start date, you must attend again.
  • Switching Types: If you are moving from a domestic program (Away) to an international one (Abroad)—or vice versa—you must complete the new orientation regardless of when you last attended.
If you previously completed...And your new experience is....Do you need to retake?
Bobcats Abroad (international)InternationalOnly if your new program begins more than a year after you previously completed the requirement. 
Bobcats Abroad (international)DomesticYes! This is considered a new type of experience.
Bobcats Away (domestic)DomesticOnly if your new program begins more than a year after you previously completed the requirement. 
Bobcats Away (domestic)InternationalYes! This is considered a new type of experience.
I completed the requirement - why is the OGO Student Portal not letting me submit for confirmation?

Completion status is updated manually by our team. Please allow 1–3 business days after finishing your modules for your portal record to reflect the update.

If your OGO Portal isn't updated after three business days, contact OGORiskManagement@ohio.edu for assistance.  

I am not receiving academic credit while abroad (i.e., interning with no associated academic credit, researching, volunteering, attending a conference, etc...) - do I need to attend Bobcats Abroad or Away?

Students not participating on a study abroad or study away program for academic credit are not required to attend the pre-departure orientation sessions, but are encouraged to do so. 

If you have completed or are intending to complete Travel Registration in the OGO Student Portal to register your travel with our office, you fall into this category. If you have not completed Travel Registration for your experience, you can do so now in the OGO Student Portal. 

I went through all the Bobcats Abroad modules, and they are still marked as incomplete.  What do I need to do to complete the modules?  

To receive credit for Bobcats Abroad, you must meaningfully engage with all content in the Worldkind Academy required modules. This includes expanding all “+” sections, watching videos, and passing the assessment questions. Quick "click-throughs" will not trigger a completion.

Tracking Your Progress

  • In Worldkind Academy: A checkmark will appear once you have finished all requirements in a module. Once fully complete, you will receive your "Traveler's Certificate".
  • In the OGO Portal: Completion status is updated manually by our team. Please allow 1–3 business days after finishing your modules for your portal record to reflect the update.

If are having issues with a module missing a checkmark, despite completing the module, or if your OGO Portal isn't updated after three business days after you've claimed your Traveler's Certificate, contact OGORiskManagement@ohio.edu for assistance.  

I enrolled in WorldKind Academy to complete Bobcats Abroad, but didn’t receive a verification email. What’s next? 

A verification email should be sent to your ohio.edu inbox after completing registration. In some cases, delivery may take a few minutes.  If the email does not appear in your ohio.edu inbox, be sure to check spam, clutter and junk folders.  

If the verification email still cannot be found, please contact OGORiskManagement@ohio.edu for assistance. Include the email address used to register, the name entered during registration (if different from the ohio.edu student account), and approximate registration date.  The Risk Management Office will respond within 1-2 business days, after investigating the issue.