YouAlberta
This article was updated on August 13, 2021. Please check current Canadian travel requirements and University of Alberta International guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
Like many other international students, taking long flights and spending long layovers in airports became a big part of my life once I started at the U of A. I was lucky enough to go home at least twice a year, and I had a pretty good sense of what my travel journey looked like. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and for the first time ever I went an entire year without seeing my parents. After considering it for a long time, I decided to return to Costa Rica and visit my family during the 2020 winter break.
Since Costa Rica is considered a “sun destination,” new travel restrictions made it harder to travel back to Canada and I had to stay in Costa Rica longer than planned. I ended up coming back in April 2021. At first I was so lost with all the different requirements and restrictions (and super stressed about it), but it ended up being a very easy and smooth journey back. I hope my experience and advice will help other international students returning to Edmonton (or coming for the first time) to attend classes at the U of A.
Before You Travel
1. Make sure you are familiar with all the current government regulations.2. Read all the information available on the University of Alberta International website and contact International Student Services if you have questions.
3. Gather all necessary documents. I made one PDF document with all the information required to enter Canada. This might change depending on when you travel*, but mine included:
- Proof of enrolment (you can get it on Bear Tracks)
- My hotel reservation (for the mandatory three-day quarantine)
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken three days before my flight
- My ArriveCan code
- My pre-registered code for getting tested in the Calgary International Airport
I decided to put everything in one single document because I wanted to have them all at the same place, and it ended up being really helpful.
* Editor's note: As of August 9 2021, there are new guidelines for fully vaccinated travellers. You can receive your vaccine in any country, but you must provide documentation in English or French supporting your vaccination information. If your vaccination document is in any other language, it must be accompanied by a certified translation. The mandatory 3-day hotel stop over is no longer in place for all travellers.
4. Share your quarantine plan with the university!! (I almost forgot this part and is really important).
*Editor's note: As of August 9, 2021, if you are fully vaccinated you must still present a suitable 14-day quarantine plan.
A Timeline of My Trip
3:30am-4am
I got to the airport and they verified my negative COVID-19 test and my documents for entering Canada, just like every other flight.
4am-4:30am
I boarded the plane and everything was the same as before, except they take your temperature when they check your boarding pass.
4:30-11am
I slept during the whole flight, thankfully!
11am-6pm
The longest layover ever!! The Dallas airport was really crowded which stressed me out a bit. I was also cramming for my finals so I decided to buy a day pass for one of the American Airlines lounges. I wouldn’t have done this during non-Covid times because it is a bit pricey, but I was so stressed about not being able to find a place to study and I also wanted to be extra safe and avoid people as much as possible. I would recommend doing this if you have a really long layover and need to get things done. There was also complementary coffee and snacks, so that was a big plus!
6:30pm-10pm
Second flight. I studied during the whole flight which made it go by super quick!
10pm-11pm
There are only four Canadian airports (Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal) that international travellers can land in, and you must begin your quarantine in that city. I went through immigration at the Calgary International Airport and the officer verified all my documents and gave me another document explaining the rules of quarantine and what measures to follow. I picked up my luggage and went to get tested--there were people all around to guide me through the whole process. After the COVID-19 test is over, they give you a little sheet with information about the second test you are required to take (don’t lose it!!). I had to go to a drug store to get a second test, but some airports give you take-home test kits to do it yourself.
11pm-11:30pm
I called the hotel and they sent a shuttle to pick me up. One of the staff members explained the quarantine rules we would have to follow in the hotel, and then I arrived and checked in!
During 14-Day Quarantine
The first three days of quarantine in the hotel felt like a little staycation, and it went by really quick. After my first COVID-19 test came back negative, I was excited to go back to my home in Edmonton for the remaining 11 days of quarantine. The first few days at home went really well because I was focused on writing my finals and settling in my apartment after being away for a really long time. After I was done with exams, things got a little harder because I didn’t have a set routine, so I binged on a few Netflix shows until my quarantine was over.
I hope this helps and eases some of your travel anxiety!! I promise it is not as complicated as it seems. Safe travels!