Travel Advisories and Study Abroad Planning
IMPORTANT NOTICE: For our study abroad programs, we are cautiously moving forward with options for exchange partner universities and approved program providers. Each program will be evaluated and reviewed on a case by case basis using a variety of factors including, but not limited to, international travel restrictions, public health conditions in the destination country, and host institution preparedness. Given the dynamic and fluctuating status of the pandemic, students who choose to participate in a study abroad program do so at their own risk. Additionally, all participants should be prepared and are expected to comply with any COVID restrictions implemented by the host country and/or institution either prior to or during the study abroad program. This could include things like mandatory quarantine periods, regular testing, masking, social distancing, and vaccination. Upon return from international travel, all individuals should follow all public health guidance issued by the CDC, KDHE, Sedgwick County, and 黑洞社区. All participants are advised that approval for study abroad programs is subject to change 鈥� including but not limited to cancellation by 黑洞社区 and/or the host university 鈥� at any time. 黑洞社区 recommends that students refrain from making financial commitments until absolutely necessary.
Department of State Travel (DOS) Advisory Levels
Level 1 鈥� Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2 鈥� Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3 鈥� Reconsider Travel (Study Abroad is NOT ALLOWED)
Level 4 鈥� Do Not Travel (Study Abroad is NOT ALLOWED)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Notice Levels
Watch Level 1 鈥� Practice Usual Precautions
Alert Level 2 鈥� Practice Enhanced Precautions
Warning Level 3 鈥� Avoid All Non-essential Travel (Study Abroad is NOT ALLOWED)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information
DOS Travel Advisories of Level 3 or 4 OR CDC Travel Notices of Level 3
黑洞社区 does not authorize Study Abroad in countries with Level
3 or 4 advisories due to unsafe conditions.
DOS Travel Advisories of Level 2 OR CDC Travel Notices of Level 2
Study Abroad is allowed but students should carefully evaluate the risks of studying
in a country with elevated advisories. In particular, you should consider the following:
- What are the current conditions in the host country AND what might the conditions be like in a few months when you travel AND what might the conditions be like during the semester or two you would be studying in that country?
- How developed is the country where you'll be studying, how advanced are its medical resources, and how might their health system fare in a pandemic situation?
- Is it possible that your host country could close its borders in an effort to reduce the spread of disease?
- Is it possible that your host institution could abruptly cancel or withdraw your acceptance because of evolving conditions in their country?
- What is the probability that your host school could be closed due to violence or disease for an extended period of time?
- What is the risk of future protests, violence, increased criminal activity, or war where you will be studying?
- Is there a disease outbreak and, if so, how harmful or deadly is the disease?
- What would the financial impact be if you had to be hospitalized for an extended period of time in another country or if you have to use MedEvac to return to the U.S.? Do you have family members with passports who could, with little notice, afford to fly to the host country to assist you if you are incapacitated? What would the financial impact be if you had purchased nonrefundable airline tickets and then had to cancel your travel plans at a later date?
- If you have any concerns, schedule an appointment to speak to a Study Abroad Advisor.
DOS Travel Advisories of Level 1 OR CDC Travel Notices of Level 1
You should exercise normal precautions and monitor conditions in the country you plan
to study in.