Current and Future Study Abroad (Fall 2021 & After)

Current (Fall 2022)

1. Do I need to get a negative COVID-19 test before returning to the U.S.? No. As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.
2. Do I have to quarantine after returning to the U.S.? The answer to this question depends on whether you have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or not. Please see below for further details and requirements:
   • If you are fully vaccinated:
     • You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
     • You should continue to follow CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely.
     • It is recommended that you get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
   • If you are NOT fully vaccinated:
     • Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for 5 days after travel.
     • Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 5 days.
     • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
   • Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.

Future (Spring 2023 departure & after)

1. Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine prior to studying abroad? It is strongly recommended that you get one of the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines prior to travel. Doing so could protect your health, as well as those around you, while also possibly mitigating some of the entry requirements and restrictions as you go abroad. Some countries (including the U.S.) are waiving the quarantine requirement if a traveler has a negative PCR test and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Some locations have created digital passes and other measures tied to a traveler’s vaccination status that can impact access to certain public spaces (e.g. European Union implementing the Digital Green Certificate). If you do receive a COVID-19 vaccine prior to departure, make sure to take multiple copies of the proof of your vaccination (both hard copies and digital copies) with you while abroad. Check the travel restrictions and entry requirements for your study abroad destination. Many third-party study abroad program providers and international universities and institutions are also requiring proof of vaccination in order to participate in the program.
2. Should I get a COVID-19 booster shot prior to going abroad? It is strongly recommended that, if eligible, you get a COVID-19 booster shot prior to going abroad. Some countries’ definitions of fully vaccinated are based on how long it’s been since a person completed their initial series of the vaccine. Know what the requirement regarding fully vaccinated status is in your study abroad location. You may need to receive a booster in order to meet the requirement before the end of your study abroad program date.
3. Should UA students purchase trip cancellation insurance and/or refundable airfare? Should I purchase travel insurance and/or “Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)” or “Interrupt for Any Reason (IFAR)” insurance? The Education Abroad office recommends that students purchase fully refundable airline tickets and/or trip cancellation (e.g. “Cancel For Any Reason” or CFAR) and/or trip interruption insurance (e.g. “Interruption For Any Reason” or IFAR) to safeguard against losses or penalties associated with withdrawal or program cancellation. UA assumes no responsibility for such losses or penalties. A student can purchase any CFAR/IFAR policy available on the market, or chose this Crum & Foster CFAR/IFAR policy that is being offered to UA students: http://bit.ly/UA_CFAR
4. What issues and questions should I be considering if hoping to study abroad in the near future? Please see the following lists of questions and issues to consider if planning to study abroad.

Program Questions

• Confirm your program is going – and follow the program’s protocols and instructions about steps to take in order to participate.
• What are the COVID-19 related policies for your program and institution where you’ll be studying?
• What impact does COVID-19 vaccination status have on your participation in the program?
• Do you need to get a COVID-19 booster shot for this program?
• What is their refund policy and deadlines to withdraw?
  • Before the program
  • During the program
• What are the academic and financial policies if the program has to go to online/remote learning ?
• When is the deadline the provider will make a decision about Fall (or other terms) programs?

Location Questions

• What are the entry requirements (i.e. PCR or antigen test, proof of vaccination, pre-arrival forms etc.) to enter?
• What impact does COVID-19 vaccination status have on your entry into the country, quarantine requirements (or not) etc.?
• Do you need to get a visa to enter the country? If so, what are the steps to obtaining a visa? How is that affected by COVID-19?
• What steps will you need to take upon returning to the U.S. after your program?

Travel Questions

• Is air travel to/from your program location easily accessible?
• What is your airline’s flight refund and/or flight change policies?
• What is your airline’s COVID-19 protocols and requirements?
• What is your study abroad program’s onsite travel policy? Do they allow weekend travel outside your location?
• Should you purchase “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) or “Interrupt For Any Reason” (IFAR) coverage? A student can purchase any CFAR/IFAR policy available on the market, or chose this Crum & Foster CFAR/IFAR policy that is being offered to UA students: http://bit.ly/UA_CFAR

4. What are the important dates to be aware of regarding Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 study abroad and CIP placeholder course registration? Be aware of the following important dates for Fall 2022 registration:

Fall 2022

• April 15: UA Scholarships Request Form for Study Abroad due
• May 2: Last day to enroll in study abroad course (CIP or UA faculty-led course) and use UA Scholarship
  • If using a UA Scholarship to help fund your study abroad program, then this is the last day you can register in the CIP placeholder course and still have your scholarship funds released to you.
• August 12: UA Scholarship dispersal date for study abroad students
• August 24: Last day of Drop/Add at UA
• October 26: Last day to drop a course with a “W” grade at UA

Spring 2023

• November 18, 2022: UA Scholarships Request Form for Study Abroad due
• December 2, 2022: Last day to enroll in study abroad course (CIP or UA faculty-led course) and use UA Scholarship
  • If using a UA Scholarship to help fund your study abroad program, then this is the last day you can register in the CIP placeholder course and still have your scholarship funds released to you.
• January 5, 2023: UA Scholarship dispersal date for study abroad students
• January 18, 2023: Last day of Drop/Add at UA
• March 29, 2023: Last day to drop a course with a “W” grade at UA

5. Will I have to quarantine or get tested for COVID-19 when arriving in my study abroad destination? Possibly. Check with your destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information or your study abroad program provider for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers. Also see the “COVID-19 Trip Planner” tool located in the International SOS app.

• Follow all entry requirements for your destination and provide any required or requested health information. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the U.S.
• If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any health information, testing, or other documents.
• Pre-travel testing: If you need a negative PCR or antigen test prior to travel, make sure to schedule a test that meets your study abroad destination’s entry requirements. If you will be in Tuscaloosa up to the time of your departure, then students needing a PCR COVID Test can obtain one through the Student Health Center. Call 205-348-2778 to make an appointment.
• Get vaccinated. Some countries are waiving quarantine requirements and other entry restrictions for travelers who can show proof of being fully vaccinated. If eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, it is recommended that you get one of those before going abroad as well.

Each country and institution may have its own entry requirements and restrictions. Please consult your program provider or host institution regarding the latest requirements. You may also consult websites such as the following that include information about entry requirements around the world:

• International SOS app (Use your UA email address and UA’s International SOS membership number when registering in the app)
• https://covidentrycheck.com
• https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

6. Can I get a refund for my study abroad program costs if I decide not to go at the last minute? If a student is participating on a non-UA sponsored program (affiliate, non-affiliate, direct enroll etc.), then the possibility of a refund will depend on that program’s refund policy. A student may also consider purchasing a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and/or Interrupt For Any Reason (IFAR) policy available on the market, or chose this Crum & Foster CFAR/IFAR policy that is being offered to UA students: http://bit.ly/UA_CFAR.  Regarding UA faculty-led programs, please contact UA Education Abroad at facultyled@ua.edu.