The Studies Abroad office considers several factors when deciding whether a program can run including, but not limited to, U.S. State Department travel advisories, CDC recommendations, visa processing capabilities, partner university and partner input, flight options and flexibility. We have created a rubric of conditions that must be met to ensure both a safe and high-quality study abroad experience.
We have created a comprehensive dashboard that is available here.
In collaboration with the Registrar’s office, program counselors, Residence life, and others we make final decisions far enough in advance that students will have neither lost opportunities to participate in classes or housing contracts on campus nor will have purchased flights or made other financial commitments before we announce major changes. Timelines can vary based on feedback from our many stakeholders.
As part of the participation confirmation process for the Study Abroad Office, every student read and agreed to the following COVID specific information. This agreement relates to all variants of the COVID-19 virus. Please be reminded of this important information.
Updated 12.8.21
About Omicron
At present, there is very little known about the Omicron variant. More data collection and laboratory testing are required to better understand the new strain’s infectivity, severity, and ability to evade the immune protection provided by existing vaccines.
Based on the rapid spike in infections in South Africa, early indications are this variant is more infectious than the original virus and previous variants (i.e., Alpha and Delta). However, initial information being released from physicians in South Africa suggests that the new Omicron variant may only cause “mild symptoms” without many of the more serious symptoms associated with the original and earlier variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported zero Omicron deaths so far.
The Omicron variant has spread widely beyond southern Africa with new cases identified in the UK, Portugal, Czech Republic, Canada, Netherlands, Israel, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Hong Kong, Australia, and others. Many experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, believe it is likely the Omicron variant is already in the United States and will likely soon spread further globally, crowding out the Delta variant which currently makes up 99% of the world’s new cases.
Travel Restrictions
The tightening of travel restrictions globally in response to Omicron is concerning and UP is following developments closely. A handful of countries, including Israel, Morocco, and Japan, have temporarily banned all incoming flights. Many other countries, including the United States, have imposed restrictions on flights originating in southern African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi). Most of the countries that have imposed travel restrictions have set a two-week expiration/review date to allow scientists to collect more information on the severity of the Omicron variant before further decisions are made.
Updated 12.20.21
Please reach out to the program counselor in your school or college.
Updated 12.20.21
If you do not already have a back-up reservation set up through the office of Residence Life and would like to explore your options, please reach out to Ezequiel Delgado-Cervantes at delgadoc@up.edu. If you already made a back-up reservation for on-campus housing, you should expect to receive an e-mail to finalize your housing assignment soon.
Updated 12.20.21
As study abroad students, you were enrolled under international health insurance coverage that covered you only while you were outside of the United States. The nature of this type of coverage means that you will no longer be covered under this policy once you are back in the US.
Next steps to consider:
Updated 12.9.21
Most everything will proceed as originally planned; you will be registered by the Program Counselors in your individual school or college. Please reach out to the appropriate contact person if you have any questions:
Updated 12.10.21