While Abroad

WHILE ABROAD

1. What should students expect when studying abroad during COVID-19?
   Students’ experience abroad may be different than they may have originally imagined. Keep in mind the following as you set expectations for a term abroad:
   • Independent Travel: Independent travel outside of the city and/or country you are studying abroad in may be limited. Country borders may be closed, quarantine measures may remain in place, and there may be sudden changes to countries’ entry and exit requirements. We do not recommend that you make plans for travel outside of your host country during the middle of your study abroad program.
   • Quarantine & Testing: Quarantine and testing requirements will vary by country and may change with little notice. Your time abroad may include a quarantine period upon arrival in your study abroad destination. You may have to be tested for COVID-19 prior to or upon arrival, or at other times while abroad. You also have to quarantine if you or someone near you (student, faculty or staff member) are exposed to the coronavirus.  Make sure to consult your study abroad program provider and other official sources (see “Additional Links and Resources” section below) regarding any such requirements.
   • Academic Experience: Some programs and universities may implement a hybrid online/in-person format for classes; others will offer a fully in-person classroom experience. Be familiar and comfortable with both formats. There may be sudden changes to the academic format of your program and additional rules or restrictions within the classroom.
   • Social Experience: Depending on the restrictions in your location, you may have limited opportunities for in-person social interactions with others.
   • Program Excursions and Activities: If your program typically offers excursions or other extra-curricular activities, these may be more limited than in previous years. Excursions may be altered or canceled while you’re on-site to adjust to current health and government recommendations.
2. What precautions should I take to lessen the risks of contracting COVID-19 while abroad? The first precaution that travelers can take to lessen the risk of COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated for the virus. In addition, if you have been fully vaccinated, consider getting a COVID-19 booster shot prior to going abroad. Beyond that, the following advice about preventing the spread of COVID-19 is taken from the CDC’s guidance on How to Protect Yourself & Others web page. Go to that page for further details on the precautions listed below.
   • Wash your hands often.
   • Avoid close contact (with people).
   • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
   • Cover coughs and sneezes.
   • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
   • Monitor your health daily
3. If the COVID-19 situation escalates in my study abroad location while I’m there, what should I do?
   • Follow the protocols established by your study abroad program and the local authorities.
   • Take appropriate precautions to minimize your risk of contracting COVID-19 or spreading it to others.
   • If you need assistance with finding medical care or travel assistance to return to the U.S., please contact UA’s international travel assistance provider, International SOS by contacting them through the International SOS app (recommended if abroad) or calling +1 215-942-8478. Make sure to use UA’s International SOS membership number (11BCAM831609) when calling.
4. If I need medical assistance while abroad (whether due to COVID-19 or another issue), what should I do? If it is an emergency, get to nearest medical provider as soon as possible. If it is less urgent, contact International SOS via the International SOS app (recommended if abroad) or by calling +1 215-942-8478 to speak with a medical professional or to get recommendations on which local medical provider in your study abroad location to use. Make sure to use UA’s International SOS membership number (11BCAM831609) when calling.
5. Regarding academics, what will happen if my study abroad program is canceled at the last minute? Your options are dependent on the time that your program is cancelled (i.e. before UA’s semester start date, after UA drop-add etc.).
   • If you are still registered in a full course load of UA classes, and your abroad program is cancelled, you may proceed with your “normal” UA semester. You will also work with the provider on any cancellation protocols that need to take place.
   • If your study abroad program is cancelled, but it is after the UA’s “drop-add”, then you should contact the Education Abroad office as soon as possible to see if there could be any option of enrolling into UA.
6. Regarding academics, what will happen if my program switches to an online-only format? If your study abroad program switches to an online-only format, you can either (1) proceed with the online option possibly being offered through your study abroad program or host institution abroad or (2) choose to withdraw from the study abroad program. Please note that you may be subject to withdrawal penalties, and depending on the withdrawal date, you may or may not be able to re-enroll into UA.