COVID-19 Updates

IES Abroad’s Crisis Management Team is still actively and closely monitoring the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Communications are being sent regularly to students, their home colleges or universities, and parents, as needed.

The latest term-specific information can be found on the Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 pages.

The safety of our students and staff abroad is always our first priority, and we will also continue to update this page with relevant high-level information. Learn more about our health and safety protocols and see updates for Study Abroad Foundation (SAF).

Please call 800.995.2300 or 312.944.1750 to speak with someone if you have any questions.

August 4, 2022

The message below went to Shanghai applicants and their parents, and school partners who approve our Shanghai programs.

Dear Shanghai Applicants, 

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Fall 2022 Shanghai program.  

Due to the ongoing challenges with entry to China, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the  IES Abroad Spring 2023 Shanghai program.  We know you have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working with you to make study abroad a reality for you in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Shanghai program, we do expect to run most of our other programs abroad in Spring 2023. We encourage you to look at our other program offerings on our website. Please be in contact with us to discuss alternative program options.

We hope to run our Fall 2023 Shanghai program as planned, so if you’re interested in deferring to that term, please let us know by completing this form. We also have summer programs including: Shanghai Summer - Engineering, Shanghai Summer - Intensive Language, Shanghai Summer - Internship, and Shanghai Summer - Engineering Internship that we hope to run in Summer 2023.

You will receive confirmation soon that your application has been cancelled for Spring 2023. If you decide that right now you don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action from you is required. If you have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Spring 2023 refund policy on our website. If you’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Spring 2023 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and we’ll be here to help with any questions.  

Kind regards, 

Lauren Kreibich
Director of Global Enrollment Management
IES Abroad

May 20, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Fall 2022 Emerging Economies Program Update

The message below sent to Fall 2022 Emerging Economies Program applicants, their parents, and their schools.

Dear Santiago Applicants, 

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Fall 2022 Emerging Economies program.  

Due to low enrollment, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Fall 2022 Emerging Economies program. We share in your disappointment that it will not be possible to study in Santiago for the upcoming semester with IES Abroad. We know you have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working with you to make study abroad a reality for you in the near future.

What's Next?
We hope you will still have the opportunity to study abroad with us in Fall 2022 or in the future. As you consider your options, we'd like to highlight the following possibilities:

Switch Your Application to Another Fall 2022 Program
We are excited to share that we are still offering the following programs abroad this fall. We have been monitoring student mobility and on-site restrictions at all of our program locations, and we are optimistic that we will be able to welcome students to these locations. We hope that one of these programs will be of interest to you:

Barcelona – Liberal Arts & Business**
Paris – Business & International Affairs**
Nice – Business, Sustainability & Immigration**
Milan – Business Studies**
For students with advanced Spanish: Santiago – Politics, Social Justice & Language

**If you are interested in one of these programs, please note that you must currently hold a valid passport and will likely need to apply independently for your visa. Travel plans over the summer may complicate visa processes as well. If you are interested in one of these programs, please let us know ASAP.

If you are interested in switching your application to one of these programs, please submit this form with your new program information by Wednesday, May 25, and we'll switch your application.

Defer Your Application to a Future Term
Right now, we are accepting applications for the Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 terms. To defer your application to a future term, complete this form to let us know which term and program you would like to switch to. We would also be happy to answer any questions you have - you can respond to this message or call or email us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

For any future study abroad applications, it is important that you consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions.

Be sure to consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about fall study abroad program applications. We are happy to speak with you about these options and how they may work for you, but it's important to ensure that your new program falls within your school's requirements and policies

If you’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Fall 2022 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and we’ll be here to help with any questions.  

May 11, 2022

IES Abroad Fall 2022 Japan Update

The message below was sent to Fall 2022 Nagoya and Tokyo applicants and students, their parents, and their school study abroad staff.

Dear Japan Students, 

IES Abroad is sending you this important message regarding the IES Abroad Fall 2022 Japan program.  

We are happy to let you know that we have made the decision to run the IES Abroad Fall 2022 Nagoya and Tokyo programs.  

We hope you’re as excited as we are. Please read this email thoroughly for important information about how we will proceed and your next steps.

NEXT STEPS
Completing Your Application and Confirming Your Place in the Program

If you have not yet been accepted to your IES Abroad program, now is the time to complete your application. Log in to your MyIESabroad account to submit any remaining application documents as soon as possible.

Once you’re accepted, you’ll need to submit the Confirmation Form in your MyIESabroad account to confirm your intent to participate this summer. Our refund policy for the fall, which allows you to withdraw on or before the program arrival date without financial penalty, can help you feel confident to confirm knowing you can change your mind for any reason.

WHILE YOU'RE ABROAD

There are important considerations we want to make sure you’re aware of as you continue to make plans for this Fall.

· Changes can happen at any time, for any reason. You know the drill – this pandemic has shown us that anything can happen! If you’re committed to studying abroad this Fall, we’ll need you to be flexible in adapting to any required changes that come up (think classes going online, needing to quarantine, etc.). Rest assured we will stay in close communication with you, both leading up to your program and after you arrive, if things change.

· You’ll need to comply with all in-country, airline, and IES Abroad protocols. While regulations continue to change, you should anticipate that you’ll be asked to comply with various protocols to facilitate your study abroad experience. These could include regular testing while in Japan, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test when traveling, abiding by local curfews or other movement restrictions on-site, and agreeing to any other requests from IES Abroad or local or national governments. These are all designed to ensure your health and safety, and it’s important that you respect these both for yourself and for other students, faculty, and staff.

Please let us know if you have questions as you make plans for how to proceed. If you’ve changed your mind and no longer wish to move forward with your application, please let us know and we’ll discuss your options for switching to another program, deferring your application to another term, or cancelling your application. You can call or email us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and your advisor will be here to help!

April 26, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Summer 2022 Buenos Aires Program Update

The message below was sent to Buenos Aires - Summer 2022 applicants, their parents, and schools that approve these programs.

Due to low program enrollments, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Summer 2022 Buenos Aires Summer - Language & Argentine Studies Program. We understand you were hopeful about the possibility to study in Buenos Aires this summer, and we, too, are disappointed that we will not be able to offer this program.

What's Next?
We hope you will still have the opportunity to study abroad with us in Summer 2022 or in the future. As you consider your options, we'd like to highlight the following possibilities:

Switch Your Application to Another Summer 2022 Program
We are excited to share that we are still offering the following programs abroad this summer. We have been monitoring student mobility and on-site restrictions at all of our program locations, and we are optimistic that we will be able to welcome students to these locations. We hope that one of these programs will be of interest to you:

If you are interested in switching your application to one of these programs, please submit this form with your new program information by Thursday, April 28, and we'll switch your application.

Be sure to consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about summer study abroad program applications. We are happy to speak with you about these options and how they may work for you, but it's important to ensure that your new program falls within your school's requirements and policies.

Defer Your Application to a Future Term
Right now, we are accepting applications for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 terms. To defer your application to a future term, complete this form to let us know which term and program you would like to switch to. We would also be happy to answer any questions you have - you can respond to this message, or call or email us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

For any future study abroad applications, it is important that you consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions.

You will soon receive a notification that we have cancelled your application or enrollment for the Summer 2022 term. If you decide that right now you do not plan to pursue another study abroad program with us, no further action from you is required. You can always request a new application by completing this form or contacting us at [email protected]. If you have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. You can find more information about our Summer 2022 refund policy on our website.

We know this is a challenging time, and we hope we can continue to work together to make studying abroad a reality for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and your Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

April 22, 2022

IES Abroad - Fall 2022 Shanghai Program Update

The message below was sent to Shanghai Fall 2022 applicants, their parents, and schools that approve these programs. Confirmed students and their schools were contacted directly by their Program Advisor.

Dear Shanghai Applicants, 

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Fall 2022 Shanghai program.  

Due to the ongoing challenges with entry to China, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad  Fall 2022 Shanghai program.  We know you have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working with you to make study abroad a reality for you in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Shanghai program, we do expect to run many of our other programs abroad in Fall 2022. We encourage you to look at our other program offerings on our website. Please be in contact with us to discuss alternative program options. If you are interested in another program for fall and the application deadline has passed, do reach out to us and we can work to try to get you added late to the program.

We hope to run our Spring 2023 Shanghai program as planned, so if you’re interested in deferring to that term, please let us know by completing this form. We also have summer programs including: Shanghai Summer - Engineering, Shanghai Summer - Intensive Language, Shanghai Summer - Internship, and Shanghai Summer - Engineering Internship that we hope to run in Summer 2023.

You will receive confirmation soon that your application has been cancelled for Fall 2022. If you decide that right now you don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action from you is required. If you have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Fall 2022 refund policy on our website. If you’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Fall 2022 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and we’ll be here to help with any questions.  

Kind regards, 

Lauren Kreibich
Director of Global Enrollment Management
IES Abroad

April 21, 2022

IES Abroad Vaccine Policy Update

The message below was sent to Summer and Fall 2022 students, parents, and school staff who approve our programs.

We hope your spring is off to a great start! As you plan for studying abroad this Summer or Fall, we are writing to you with important updates to our Vaccine Policy in regard to boosters.

Vaccination Requirement

For the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities in which our programs are located, we will require all IES Abroad students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. By requiring vaccination, it is not only much safer for everyone but also it greatly improves the quality of your experience while abroad. Please see our website for the full policy.

Booster Requirement for Programs Starting on or Before July 1, 2022

For programs starting on or before July 1, 2022, IES Abroad strongly encourages all eligible students be boosted and further requires all students to be boosted when host country laws, regulations, or mandates require. Students and interns will be required to demonstrate documented proof of being fully vaccinated and boosted (when required) pursuant to this policy. Additionally, it is likely that some airlines or countries may require a negative COVID-19 test for travel.

Eligible students who are not up to date with a booster may find travel restrictions and limited access to essential and nonessential services in many locations in their host country and on independent travel. Moreover, students who are eligible to receive the booster but have not should carefully research their flight arrangements, as they may be unable to connect through countries where boosters are required for travel.

Booster Requirement for Programs Starting After July 1, 2022

For all programs starting after July 1, 2022, IES Abroad will require all students and interns who are eligible to be boosted two weeks before the start of their program.

We are excited to be on this journey with you and are here to support you in the coming months as you prepare. Please let us know if you have questions as you make plans for how to proceed. You can call or email us during regular business hours at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

April 8, 2022

IES Abroad - Fall 2022 New Zealand Program Update

The message below was sent to IES Abroad Auckland and Christchurch students, their parents, and schools that approve these programs.

Dear New Zealand Students, 

IES Abroad is sending you this important message regarding the IES Abroad Fall 2022 New Zealand programs.  

We are happy to let you know that we have made the decision to run IES Abroad Fall 2022 New Zealand programs.  To make it possible for you to study in New Zealand, you will need to apply for the Working Holiday Visa for entry. This visa does have some implications for future work in New Zealand, which we wanted to bring to your attention and have outlined below.

U.S. citizens would apply for the Working Holiday Visa. It is our understanding that this is a one-time visa and this would be the only time you would be allowed to work in New Zealand between the ages of 18-30 using this visa.
U.S. citizens wanting to work in New Zealand in future years would need an employer to provide sponsorship for a visa.
The cost of the visa is NZD $35 (approximately $25 USD).

We hope you are as excited as we are to welcome you to New Zealand! If for any reason you do not wish to continue on this program, you can contact us regarding your enrollment. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to help with any questions.  

Kind regards, 

Maria Lee
IES Abroad New Zealand Program Advisor

April 1, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Summer 2022 Cape Town Program Update

The message below was sent to Cape Town Summer – Health Studies Students, their families, and schools with students enrolled in the program.

Dear Cape Town Students,

IES Abroad developed Program Evaluation Dates for some summer programs as a point in time to pause to review the feasibility of the program based upon travel restrictions, entry requirements, and program enrollments.

We have reviewed your program and are happy to let you know that we have made the decision to run the Cape Town Summer – Health Studies program! We hope you’re as excited as we are.

Students’ health and safety is always our number one priority, and our decision to run the program is based upon current conditions in locations where we send students. With input from our on-site staff in Cape Town, IES Abroad has determined that current conditions support the running of our program for Summer 2022.

Next Steps

Confirm Your Place in the Program

If you’ve been accepted to the program, be sure to submit the Confirmation Form in your MyIESabroad account by the deadline listed in your account. Our refund policy for the summer allows you to withdraw up to the start of the program without financial penalty, so we hope you feel confident to confirm now.

Passports & Flights

Check to make sure that you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past your program’s end date. If you don’t have a valid passport, you should reach out to us immediately to discuss your options. You will need to urgently expedite your passport application.

You can also move ahead with your flights to and from the program. We encourage you to make sure you understand the airline’s change and refund policies, and any potential fees, before you book your flights. IES Abroad will be unable to reimburse students for any money expended on travel arrangements.

While You’re Abroad

There are important considerations we want to make sure you’re aware of as you continue to make plans for the summer.

· Changes can happen at any time, for any reason. You know the drill – this pandemic has shown us that anything can happen! If you’re committed to studying abroad this summer, we’ll need you to be flexible in adapting to any required changes that come up (think classes going online, needing to test or quarantine, etc.). Rest assured we will stay in close communication with you, both leading up to your program and after you arrive, if things need to pivot.

· You’ll need to comply with all in-country, airline, and IES Abroad protocols. Regulations continue to change, and you should anticipate that you’ll be asked to comply with various protocols to facilitate your study abroad experience. These could include regular testing, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination status when traveling or doing daily activities, abiding by local curfews or other movement restrictions on-site, and agreeing to any other requests from IES Abroad and local and national governments. These policies and regulations are all designed to ensure your health and safety, and it’s important that you respect these both for yourself and for other students, faculty, and staff.

· You may be one of a small cohort of students on the program. We know that studying abroad right now may not be the right decision for everyone. As such, we’re anticipating that there may be a small group of students enrolled for the summer at some of our locations. We are committed to making this a great experience for you, and we’ll be in touch closer to the start of the program to give you a better sense of what your program’s cohort will look like.

We are so excited to be on this journey with you and are here to support you as you prepare. Please let us know if you have questions as you make your preparations. You can call or email us during regular business hours at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

Best wishes,

Lauren Kreibich
Director of Global Enrollment Management
IES Abroad

March 11, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Summer 2022 Sydney Program Update

The message below was sent to Summer 2022 Applicants to the Sydney Summer - Society, Sport & Leadership Program applicants, their parents, and schools that approve the program.

Dear Sydney Applicants, 

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Summer 2022 Sydney Summer - Society, Sport & Leadership program.  

Due to low enrollment, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad 2022 Sydney Summer - Society, Sport & Leadership program. We share in your disappointment that it will not be possible to study on this program for the upcoming summer.  We know you have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program.

While we are unable to run our Sydney Summer - Society, Sport & Leadership program this summer, we do expect to run many of our programs abroad in Summer 2022, including our Sydney Summer - Internship program. If you are interested in the internship program, the official deadline has passed, but you can still apply for the program! We ask that you email us about switching to this program no later than next Friday, March 18th. We will need your application documents as soon as possible. If you are interested in other program options, you can find all of our Summer 2022 offerings here.

We are still accepting applications for our Sydney programs for Fall 2022. We plan to evaluate the feasibility of the Sydney Fall 2022 programs no later than May 2022.

We expect our Summer 2023 Sydney Summer program to run as planned, so if you’re interested in deferring to that term, please let us know by completing this form.

If you decide that right now you don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action from you is required. If you have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Summer 2022 refund policy on our website. If you’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Summer 2022 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and we’ll be here to help with any questions.  

March 11, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Summer 2022 Sydney Program Update

The message below was sent to Summer 2022 Applicants to the Rome Summer – Fashion Studies Program applicants, their parents, and schools that approve the program.

Dear Rome Applicants, 

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Summer 2022 Rome Summer – Fashion Studies Program.  

Due to low enrollment, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Summer 2022 Rome Summer – Fashion Studies Program. We know you have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program.

While we are unable to run our Rome Summer – Fashion Studies program this summer, we do expect to run many of our other programs abroad in Summer 2022, including our Rome Summer – Language & Culture program. If you’re interested to switch your application to this program, the official application deadline has passed, but you can still apply for the program! We ask that you email us about switching to this program no later than next Friday, March 18th. We will need your complete application as soon as possible.

If you are interested in other program options, can find all of our Summer 2022 offerings here.

We are also still accepting applications for our Rome programs for Fall 2022.

We expect our Summer 2023 Rome Summer – Fashion Studies program to run as planned, so if you’re interested in deferring to that term, please let us know by completing this form.

If you decide that right now you don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action from you is required. If you have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Summer 2022 refund policy on our website. If you’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Summer 2022 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and we’ll be here to help with any questions.  

February 16, 2022

IES Abroad London – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students.

Dear IES Abroad London students,

I am writing to let you know that three students associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club have tested positive today for COVID-19.

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with the students, and their close contacts, to ensure that UK Health Security Agency protocols are being followed. Isolating students will also be appropriately supported in their academic commitments.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the health agency. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

John Ockey

Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director

February 15, 2022

IES Abroad London – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students.

Dear IES Abroad London students,

I am writing to let you know that three students associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club have tested positive today for COVID-19.

Kind regards,

John Ockey

Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director

February 15, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Summer 2022 Program Update

Individual students and their parents and schools approving the programs below were sent program-specific messages about the below.

We have made the difficult decisions to suspend the following Summer 2022 programs due to the lingering effects of COVID-19 on travel, entry into these countries or university cancellations. Reasons for suspension are noted below:

Auckland Summer Direct Enrollment - University of Auckland Film Production: Cancelled by University of Auckland
Cape Town Summer – Internships Program only: Placement challenges due to COVID-19. NOTE: We will still be running the Cape Town Summer – Health Studies program as planned
Museums & Beyond:Art & Culture in Paris, Rome & Madrid: Challenges of cross-border travel due to COVID-19
Nagoya Summer - Language & Culture: Entry restrictions
The following Shanghai Summer Programs: Entry restrictions
- Shanghai Summer – Engineering
- Shanghai Summer - Engineering Internship
- Shanghai Summer - Intensive Language
- Shanghai Summer - Internship
Tokyo Summer: Entry restrictions

We remain hopeful that we will be able to run programs in these locations for Fall 2022.

Please note, general program suspensions do not necessarily correlate with Customized & Faculty-Led Programs and it may be possible to host customized programs in these locations. Please contact your IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led Programs representative with any questions.

February 14, 2022

IES Abroad London – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students.

Dear IES Abroad London students,

I am writing to let you know that three students associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club have tested positive today for COVID-19.

Kind regards,

John Ockey

Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director

February 9, 2022

IES Abroad Rome – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Rome Students.

Dear students,

We would like to inform you that a member of IES Roma staff has tested positive to SARS CoV-19 today and is now self-isolating at home. As per protocols of the Italian Ministry of Health contract tracing procedures have already been implemented and no direct contacts have been identified.

We nonetheless recommend that all of you wear a FFP2 mask at all times for the next ten days and self-monitor for symptoms for the next five days. Should you experience flu-like symptoms please take a rapid antigen test and contact IES staff.

Stay safe,

Gianni

Center Director
IES Abroad Rome

February 9, 2022

IES Abroad Vienna – Important Health Update

The message below has been sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Vienna students.

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that a student on the IES Abroad Vienna program has tested positive for COVID-19 today. To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with the individuals who tested positive and their close contacts to ensure that City of Vienna protocols are being followed. Isolating students will be supported in their academic commitments.

Take care,

Student Affairs
IES Abroad Vienna

February 9, 2022

IES Abroad Salamanca – Important Health Update

The message below has been sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Salamanca students.

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know that we have just learned of one more member of our IES Abroad community that has tested positive for COVID-19. This person will be in quarantine until they test negative and are able to return to the Center. We wish them well and a quick recovery!

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with this person and their close contacts to ensure that our protocols are being followed. Remember that isolated students will be supported in their academic commitments.

I urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times, to use disinfectant gel often and, above all, to respect social distancing norms at all times.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements imposed by local authorities and IES Abroad.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to contact us immediately. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Student Affairs team, Lucía or Jorge.

Un saludo,

Barbara Liberatore

Center Director

February 7, 2022

IES Abroad - Important Summer 2022 Nagoya Program Update

Due to entry restrictions to Japan, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Summer 2022 Nagoya Summer – Language & Culture program. We share in the disappointment that it will not be possible to study in Nagoya for the upcoming semester. We know students have put a great deal of thought into their program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working with students to make study abroad a reality for them in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Nagoya program this summer, we do expect to run many of our programs abroad in Summer 2022. You can find all of our Summer 2022 offerings and information about our Program Evaluation Dates here.

We are still accepting applications for our Japan programs for Fall 2022. We plan to evaluate the feasibility of the Nagoya and Tokyo Fall 2022 programs, and to reevaluate the entry situation to Japan no later than May 2022. If you do switch your application to one of our Fall 2022 Japan programs, it’s important to understand there is still uncertainty about entry to Japan and we may need to suspend one or both programs at a later date.

We expect our Summer 2023 Nagoya Summer program to run as planned, so if students are interested in deferring to that term, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

If students decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Summer 2022 refund policy, or if students are interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Summer 2022 or a future term, they can complete this form or email us at mailto:[email protected] and we will update their application. Students should consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected]and we’ll be here to help with any questions.

February 7, 2022

IES Abroad Madrid – Important Health Update

The message below has been sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Madrid students.

Dear Students,

I am writing to you today to inform you that we have learned of four members of our academic community that are COVID-19 positive and these members are quarantined in their room and will be provided all meals and attend classes remotely. They have mild symptoms and are doing well.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to always wear your masks indoors, and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at [email protected]/[email protected].

Sincerely,

Enrique Gross
Student Affairs
IES Abroad Madrid

February 7, 2022

IES Abroad Paris BIA – Important Health Update

The message below has been sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Paris BIA students.

Dear Students,

I am writing to inform you that one member of our academic community has tested positive for COVID-19 via a PCR test. This individual will be quarantining in their IES Abroad housing and is not exhibiting any symptoms at this time. The Center has performed contact tracing and has identified and contacted the individuals who were close contacts with the individual in situations where masks were not worn.

We urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place, along with IES Abroad health, safety, and COVID-19 protocols. Please continue to always wear your masks indoors, in public places. And remember to use hand sanitizer when available.

Should you experience any symptoms, please contact the IES Abroad Paris BIA staff and we will help you schedule an appointment for a PCR test.

Sincerely,

Harimia DJAE

Student Affairs Coordinator

February 6, 2022

IES Abroad London – Important Health Update

The message below has been sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students.

Dear IES Abroad students,

I am writing to let you know that a student associated with IES Abroad has tested positive for COVID-19.

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with both the students, and their close contacts, to ensure that UK Health Security Agency protocols are being followed. Isolating students will also be appropriately supported in their academic commitments.

Kind regards,

Beth Lehlbach
IES Abroad London

February 6, 2022

IES Abroad Dublin – Important Health Update

The message below has been sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Dublin students.

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that a student on the IES Abroad Dublin program living in Beckett House has tested positive for Covid-19 today. We wish the students well and a quick recovery.

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with the student who tested positive and their close contacts to ensure that local protocols are being followed. Isolating students will be supported in their academic commitments.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the Health Service Executive. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

Many thanks,

Megan Markey
Centre Director
IES Abroad Dublin

February 2, 2022

IES Abroad Milan - Important Health Update

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that one IES Abroad student living at the Aparto residence hall and an IES Milano staff member have tested positive today for COVID-19. The student and staff member have been promptly isolated and will continue to be through February 9th and following a subsequent negative test.

We conducted close contact tracing and identified another member of the IES Abroad Milan academic community who had been in contact with the individual within 48 hours of the positive test. This individual has been moved to a dedicated contingency room we have at Aparto, needs to self-monitor their health for 5 days and wear a FFP2/KN95 mask at all times. They will need to repeat the antigen test on the 5th day (Monday, February 7th). If they are still negative, they can end their self-monitoring period. In the meantime, they can go out and attend in-person classes.

I remain available should you have any questions or concerns related to this message.

Buona serata,

Luca Blumer
Manager of Student Affairs
IES Abroad Milan

February 1, 2022

IES Abroad Granada – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Granada students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear students:

I am writing to inform you that we have learned of two members of our academic community have tested positive for covid-19. These individuals are quarantined in their rooms and will be provided all meals and attend classes remotely. Both individuals have minimal symptoms, and we wish them a speedy recovery.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to always wear your masks indoors, and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of €2.94. Do not hesitate to contact Natalia, Patri or me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Javier

Javier Martinez de Valasco
Center Director
IES Abroad Granada

February 1, 2022

IES Abroad Nice – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Nice students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that a student associated with IES Abroad and living in an IES Abroad Student Housing tested positive yesterday for Covid-19.

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with these students, and their close contacts, to ensure that the French Government protocols are being followed. Isolating students will also be appropriately supported in their academic commitments.

Best regards,

IES Abroad Nice

Laetitia Levasseur
Student Affairs Coordinator
IES Abroad Nice

February 1, 2022

IES Abroad Salamanca – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Salamanca students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know that we have just learned of two more members of our IES community that have tested positive for COVID-19. These members will be in quarantine until they test negative and are able to return to the Center. We wish them well and a quick recovery!

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with those who tested positive and their close contacts to ensure that our protocols are being followed. Remember that isolated students will be supported in their academic commitments.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements imposed by local authorities and IES Abroad.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to contact us immediately. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Student Affairs team, Lucía or Jorge.

Un saludo,

Barbara Liberatore
Center Director
IES Abroad Salamanca

February 1, 2022

IES Abroad Dublin – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Dublin students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that a student on the IES Abroad Dublin program living in Beckett House has tested positive for Covid-19 today. We wish the student well and a quick recovery.

Many thanks,

Megan

Megan Markey
Center Director
IES Abroad Dublin

February 1, 2022

IES Abroad Vienna – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Vienna students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that two students on the IES Abroad Vienna program have tested positive for Covid-19 today. To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with the students who tested positive and their close contacts to ensure that City of Vienna protocols are being followed. Isolating students will be supported in their academic commitments.

Take care,

Gavin Lord, MSc
Pronouns: He/Him
Health and Safety Coordinator
IES Abroad Vienna

January 31, 2022

IES Abroad Salamanca – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Salamanca students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Queridos estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know that we have just learned of one more member of our IES community that is COVID-19 positive. This person will be in quarantine until they test negative and is able to return to the Center.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to contact us immediately. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Student Affairs team, Lucía or Jorge.

Un saludo,

Barbara Liberatore
Center Director
IES Abroad Salamanca

January 31, 2022

IES Abroad Paris French Studies – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Paris French Studies students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear students,

I am writing to inform you that a member of our academic community has tested positive for COVID-19 via a rapid covid antigen test and a PCR test. The individual is experiencing some symptoms and is quarantining alone in their residence.

The Center has performed contact tracing and has identified and contacted the individuals who were close contacts with the individual in situations where masks were not worn. We urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place, along with IES Abroad health, safety, and Covid-19 protocols. Please continue to always wear your masks indoors and to use disinfectant gel when available. We also encourage you to wear masks in public places.

Should you experience any symptoms, please contact the IES Paris French Studies staff and we will help you schedule an appointment for a PCR test.

Sincerely,

Scott Lyngaas
Center Director
IES Paris French Studies

January 31, 2022

IES Abroad Madrid – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Madrid students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to you today to inform you that we have learned of two members of our academic community that are COVID-19 positive and these members are quarantined in their room and will be provided all meals and attend classes remotely. They have mild symptoms and are doing well.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to always wear your masks indoors, and to use the disinfectant gel often.

January 31, 2022

IES Abroad Barcelona – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Barcelona students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to you today to inform you that we have learned of four additional members of our academic community that are COVID-19 positive and these individuals are quarantined in various locations and in contact with our team. These individuals, all, have mild symptoms and are doing well.

Additionally, I’d like to report that three members of our community are rejoining us this week after testing negative once having completed the mandatory quarantine period.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health andsafety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Cesar Alegre, Ph.D.
IES Barcelona Director
AVP for Program Development
IES Abroad
Dean for IES Abroad Spain

January 31, 2022

IES Abroad Vienna – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Vienna students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that three students on the IES Abroad Vienna program have tested positive for Covid-19 today. To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with the students who tested positive and their close contacts to ensure that City of Vienna protocols are being followed. Isolating students will be supported in their academic commitments.

Take care,

Gavin Lord, MSc
Pronouns: He/Him
Health and Safety Coordinator
IES Abroad Vienna

January 30, 2022

IES Abroad Vienna – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Vienna students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Dear Students,

Take care,

Gavin Lord, MSc
Health and Safety Coordinator
IES Abroad Vienna

January 29, 2022

IES Abroad Salamanca – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Salamanca students and their parents, as well as the home school(s) of affected student(s).

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know that we have just learned of a member of our IES community that is COVID-19 positive. This person will be in quarantine until they test negative and is able to return to the Center.

I urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to contact us immediately. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Student Affairs team, Lucía or Jorge.

Be safe.

Un saludo,

Barbara Liberatore
Center Director
IES Abroad Salamanca

January 27, 2022

IES Abroad Barcelona - Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Barcelona students, their parents, and home school(s) of the affected student(s).

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to you today to inform you that we have learned of one additional member of our academic community that is COVID-19 positive and this individual is quarantined in a residence hall and will be provided all meals. This individual has mild symptoms and is doing well.

I’d like to report that three members of our community, including the one reported today, are currently under quarantine. The rest have already rejoined our community after having tested negative.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Cesar Alegre, Ph.D.
Center Director
IES Abroad Barcelona

January 26, 2022

IES Abroad London - Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students, their parents, and home school(s) of the affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that three students associated with IES Abroad and living at both The Stay Club and Piccadilly Court have tested positive today for COVID-19.

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with these students, and their close contacts, to ensure that UK Health Security Agency protocols are being followed. Isolating students will also be appropriately supported in their academic commitments.

Kind regards,

John Ockey
Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director
IES Abroad

January 26, 2022

IES Abroad Madrid - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Madrid students, their parents, and home schools of affected students.

Dear Students,

I am writing to you today to inform you that we have learned of a member of our academic community that has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is currently quarantined in their room and will be provided all meals and will attend classes remotely. The individual has mild symptoms and is doing well, and we hope for their quick recovery.

I urge you all to continue following the local, and IES Abroad, health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to always wear your masks indoors, and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Charo Roses
Student Affairs Assistant
IES Abroad Madrid

January 25, 2022

IES Abroad Barcelona - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Barcelona students, their parents, and home schools of the affected student(s).

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know today that we have learned of 1 additional member of our academic community that is COVID-19 positive and will be quarantined in an apartment that IES Barcelona has rented specifically for this purpose. This individual is having mild symptoms. Additionally, four other members of our academic community have tested negative and thus have ended their mandated quarantine.

I urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms , we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Cesar Alegre, Ph.D.
IES Barcelona Director
AVP for Program Development
IES Abroad
Dean for IES Spain

January 25, 2022

IES Abroad London - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students, their parents, and home schools of the affected student(s).

Dear IES Abroad London Students,

I am writing to let you know that four students associated with IES Abroad and living at both The Stay Club and Piccadilly Court have tested positive today for COVID-19.

Kind regards,

John Ockey
Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director

January 25, 2022

IES Abroad Madrid - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Madrid students, their parents, and home schools of the affected student(s).

Dear Students,

I am writing to you today to inform you that we have learned of a member of our academic community that is COVID-19 positive and this individual is quarantined in their room and will be provided all meals and attend classes remotely. This individual has mild symptoms and is doing well.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to always wear your masks indoors, and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Enrique Gross
Student Affairs Assistant
IES Abroad Madrid

January 23, 2022

IES Abroad London – Important Health Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad London Students and their parents, as well as the schools of the affected students.

Dear IES Abroad Students,

I am writing to let you know that three students associated with IES Abroad and living at both The Stay Club (2) & Piccadilly Court (1) have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.

To protect the health and safety of our community, we are working with these students, and their close contacts, to ensure that UK Health Security Agency protocols are being followed. Isolating students will also be appropriately supported in their academic commitments.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the health agency. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

John Ockey
Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director
IES Abroad London (Institute for the International Education of Students)

January 21, 2022

IES Abroad Barcelona - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to IES Abroad Barcelona students, their parents, and school staff of affected students.

Queridos Estudiantes,

Additionally, I’d like to report that two members of our community will be rejoining us next week after testing negative once having completed the mandatory quarantine period.

I urge you all to continue following the local and IES Abroad health and safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Cesar Alegre, Ph.D.
IES Barcelona Director
AVP for Program Development
IES Abroad
Dean for IES Spain

January 21, 2022

IES Abroad Paris French Studies – Health Information Update

The message below as sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Paris French Studies students, their parents, and school study abroad offices of the affected students.

Dear Students,

I am writing to inform you that a member of our academic community has tested positive for COVID-19 via a rapid antigen test provided by IES Abroad, and the individual will be quarantining along with their roommate in their shared residence. Neither the individual who tested positive or their roommate is exhibiting any symptoms at this time. Both individuals have appointments for PCR tests on Friday, January 21st and we expect the results to be returned in 24-48 hours of testing.

The Center has performed contact tracing and has identified and contacted the individuals who were close contacts with the individual in situations where masks were not worn. We are asking all students in the French Studies program to take rapid antigen tests on the morning of Friday, January 21st and to contact Seth at [email protected] if you test positive for COVID-19.

We urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place, along with IES Abroad health, safety, and COVID-19 protocols. Please continue to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use disinfectant gel when available. We also encourage you to wear masks in public places.

Should you experience any symptoms, please contact the IES Abroad Paris French Studies staff and we will help you schedule an appointment for a PCR test.

Sincerely,

Seth Fisher
IES Abroad Paris French Studies

January 21, 2022

IES Abroad Nantes – Health Information Update

The message below as sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Nantes students, their parents, and school study abroad offices of the affected students.

Dear students,

As you may know, we have identified 2 positive cases of COVID in our IES Nantes community (1 teacher and 1 student). This is not surprising given the current conditions and we are all prepared to handle these situations as they arise. As a reminder, a positive case requires a 7-day quarantine period which can be reduced to 5 days in event of a new negative test. Both individuals are experiencing mild symptoms and we wish them a quick recovery.

The Center has performed contact tracing for these cases and has identified and contacted individuals for follow-up testing.

I encourage everyone to continue to wear your masks, exercise caution and practice social distancing in your public interactions. Please continue to ventilate rooms and classrooms, especially when sharing those spaces with others.

We are always available to answer your questions or concerns. If needed, please call the IES Nantes after-hours emergency number at 06.40.76.75.27 . You can count on us to assist you if you need it.

Bien à vous,

Nicolas
Nicolas Stefanni
Center Director
IES Abroad Nantes

January 20, 2022

IES Abroad Milan - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Milan students, parents, and study abroad offices.

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that one IES Abroad student living at the Aparto residence hall has tested positive today for COVID-19. The student began isolating in their single room unit today and will continue to do so through January 27th and following a subsequent negative test.

We are relieved to share that the individual had not been in close contact with any other members of the IES Milan academic community for at least 48 hours before testing positive.

I remain available should you have any questions or concerns related to this message.

Best regards,

Luca Blumer
Manager of Student Affairs
IES Abroad Milan

January 20, 2022

IES Abroad Barcelona - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Barcelona students, parents, and study abroad offices.

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know today that we have learned of 2 additional members of our academic community that are COVID-19 positive and are quarantined in apartments that IES Barcelona has rented specifically for this purpose. Both individuals have mild symptoms and are doing well.

I urge you all to continue following the local safety measures currently in place. Please make sure to wear your masks indoors at all times and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Cesar Alegre, Ph.D.
IES Abroad Barcelona Director
AVP for Program Development
IES Abroad
Dean for IES Spain

January 19, 2022

IES Abroad London - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to non-direct enrollment Spring 2022 IES Abroad London students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Dear IES Abroad London Students,

I am writing to let you know that several students associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club have tested positive for COVID-19.

Kind regards,

John W. Ockey

Northwest Europe Cluster Dean & London Centre Director

January 19, 2022

IES Abroad Barcelona - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Barcelona students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Queridos Estudiantes,

I am writing to let you know that as of today we have 8 (5 faculty/staff and 3 students) members of our learning community that are COVID-19 positive and are quarantined. This is less than 1% of our community. They are all doing well and with mild symptoms.

I urge you all to continue following the safety measures in place. Please make sure to use the masks indoors at all times and to use the disinfectant gel often.

Should you feel any symptoms, we urge you to get an Antigen test. They are available in all pharmacies at a fixed price of 2.94 EUR. As always, should you have any question or concern, please reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

Please be safe.

Thank you all,

Cesar Alegre, Ph.D.
IES Abroad Barcelona Director
AVP for Program Development
IES Abroad, Dean for IES Spain

January 16, 2022

IES Abroad Dublin - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to all non-direct enrollment Spring 2022 IES Abroad Dublin students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Dear IES Abroad Students, 
 
I am writing to let you know that students studying with IES Abroad and living at Beckett House have tested positive today for COVID-19. We all wish these students well and a quick recovery. 

Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 with a confirmed antigen test:

The student will be required to self-isolate (stay in your room) for 7 days. Isolation ends if after 7 days you have no symptoms or only a cough or loss of taste/smell (as these can last for several days longer). After the 7 days of isolation, you should still take extra care for 3 days in wearing a medical-grade face mask and continue to reduce social contacts. For the most up to date information see the HSE website at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/covid-19-antigen-test-results/#positive-antigen-test-result

What to do if you're a close contact of a student who tested positive will depend on your situation:

If you have symptoms, you'll need to get tested and self-isolate: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/contact-tracing/close-contact/. If you test positive, please let us know and continue to self-isolate for 7 days (as mentioned above) and be cautious for an additional 3 days (wear a medical-grade mask and reduce your contacts as much as possible).
If you don't have symptoms and have had your booster more than 7 days ago: You will need to do three antigen tests over 7 days. Take the first test as soon as possible, the second test on day 3 and the final test on day 7. You do NOT need to restrict your movements: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/contact-tracing/close-contact/
If you've had a positive Antigen or PCR Test since the 1 December: you do not need to restrict your movements or get tested, unless you develop symptoms: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/contact-tracing/close-contact/

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the Irish Government. 

Our emergency number is (+353) 87 992 4850 or 087 992 4850 if you are using an Irish sim card.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Megan Markey

January 15, 2022

IES Abroad Quito - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Galápagos GAIAS Program students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that another student on the IES Abroad Galápagos GAIAS direct enrollment program has tested positive for COVID-19 during the mandatory testing required by local regulations before departing for the Galápagos Islands. Local protocols require that an individual who tests positive quarantine from 10 days of when they first present symptoms, or less if they subsequently receive a negative test. The individual will isolate in a local hotel for the quarantine period.

Additionally, two students were determined to have close contact with the individual prior to the positive test. In accordance with local regulations, the students who had close contact with student who tested positive will also remain in quarantine for the 10-day period in a local hotel.

If you have concerns, or develop symptoms related to COVID-19, please reach out to our student affairs team at +593 99 988 5130 or write to [email protected] and [email protected].

Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you all,

Tania Ledergerber
Center Director
IES Abroad Quito

January 14, 2022

IES Abroad Quito + Galápagos - Health Information Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 GAIAS Program students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that a student on the IES Abroad Galápagos GAIAS Direct Enrollment program in Quito has tested positive for COVID-19 during the mandatory testing required by local regulations before departing for the Galápagos Islands. Local protocols require that an individual who tests positive quarantine from 10 days of when they first present symptoms or less if they subsequently receive a negative test. The individual will isolate in a local hotel for the quarantine period.

Although the individual interacted with other members of the Galápagos GAIAS Direct Enrollment program, we know that the other members of the group all tested negative. In accordance with local regulations, the roommate of the individual who tested positive will also remain in quarantine for the 10-day period.

If you have concerns, or develop symptoms related to COVID-19, please reach out to our Student Affairs team at +593 99 988 5130 or write to [email protected] and [email protected]

Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you all,

Tania Ledergerber
Center Director
IES Abroad Quito

January 11, 2022

IES Abroad – Rabat Program Update

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 Study in Rabat Program students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Dear Rabat Students,

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Rabat program.

Due to a combination of factors, including ongoing entry restrictions and low enrollment, as you know, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Rabat program. We share in your disappointment that it will not be possible to study on this program for the upcoming semester. We know you have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working with all of you to make study abroad a reality for you in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Rabat program, we are running most of our programs abroad in Spring 2022. We invite you to switch your application to one of our programs in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Freiburg, London, or 90-day visa-less programs in Spain.

Berlin Metropolitan & Urban Studies
Berlin Spring Quarter
Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
Freiburg Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Freiburg Language and Area Studies requires 4 semesters of German
London – Study London (starts January 18th and we may be able to authorize a late arrival if you wish to switch to this program)
90-day Visa-Less Programs in Spain:
- - Barcelona started yesterday, January 10th (we can authorize a late arrival if you wish to switch to this program)
  - Granada starts February 1st
  - Madrid starts January 20th and requires 4 semesters of college-level Spanish
  - Salamanca starts January 30th and requires 4 semesters of college-level Spanish

All of the programs above would be offered at the IES Abroad Rabat program fee. If none of these options interest you, please call your IES Abroad Program Advisor to talk about other options such as deferring to a future semester or withdrawing. Any change in program requires the authorization of your home school study abroad office.

You will receive confirmation soon that your application has been cancelled for Spring 2022. If you decide that right now you don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action from you is required. If you have already paid a confirmation deposit or any program fees to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Spring 2022 Refund Policy on our website. If you’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Spring 2022 or a future term, please reply to this email and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and your Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

January 7th, 2022

IES Abroad Spring 2022 Covid Testing Updates

The message below was sent to not-yet-arrived Spring 2022 students, their parents, and school study abroad offices.

Dear IES Abroad Spring 2022 Student,

Happy New Year! We know there has been a lot of information to digest regarding your program, arrival, and travel regulations. Understandably, we have received a lot of questions about COVID-19 testing, which is why we prepared the Q&As below which we hope you will find useful as you prepare to depart.

Please make special note that COVID-19 testing requirements vary by country and you should follow the guidelines for your host program country—we will keep you informed via email of the testing requirements for your specific county.

Am I required to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter my host country?

Testing requirements vary by country and change often. At this time, only some IES Abroad locations require proof of a negative test. We do recommend that all students take a test close to departure, even if it’s not required, because requirements can change at any time, and airlines may ask for one. Every country has different requirements (as do airlines), so please refer to the entry requirements email you have or will receive from your IES Abroad Program Advisor for specific program requirements

Which test do I need and how do I get a COVID-19 test?

There are two types of diagnostic tests: molecular PCR and antigen tests. Most countries require a PCR or antigen test, and some countries will accept either one. In most cases, it takes longer to get results for a PCR test (sometimes days), but antigen test results only take 15 to 60 minutes. At home tests are generally not accepted to board a plane or enter another country, as the results are not completed or proctored by a medical professional.
Be sure you take your test within the correct timeframe to receive your results in time for your flight and to ensure that you are testing within the timeframe required for entry to your host country. Pay close attention to the number of hours required (anywhere from 24-72 hours depending on country and test) to get test results and your flight’s departure time.
Different parts of the US have varying degrees of complexity in scheduling COVID-19 tests, as well as varying turnaround times to receive the results, so we recommend that you do your research and plan ahead.
Try to schedule an appointment ASAP. We find most students are getting tested at dedicated COVID testing sites in their hometown, at their doctor’s office, or through pharmacies and retailers such as Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Walmart, CVS, or your local grocery store. Keep in mind some testing locations open timeslots a week in advance so don’t wait until the day before to schedule your test. IES Abroad Advisors are unable to provide information on testing locations, so plan to do your own research to find locations in your area. In some cases, you might be able to secure a testing appointment by contacting your doctor’s office for help.
If you can’t find a test locally, check the airport you are leaving from. Some have testing on-site, but it may be expensive. You must leave yourself ample time prior to your flight if you plan to test at the airport.

What happens if I test positive?

If your host country requires a negative test for entry, notify your IES Abroad Advisor as soon as possible and during business hours, if possible. If it is outside of IES Abroad business hours and within 2 days of your departure date, call our emergency line at 800.766.7793. We will work with you to determine a possible late arrival plan.
You should follow the most up to date isolation requirements where you are located before leaving for the program. You also must meet the requirements for entry to the country you are travelling to—which often includes testing negative for COVID-19—so you may not be able to travel until you test negative.
If your country does not require a negative test for entry, but you test positive within two weeks of your departure, please inform your IES Abroad Advisor. We advise you not to travel to your IES Abroad program location until you have recovered and have been cleared for travel. IES Abroad will work with you to determine a possible late arrival plan. We recommend that you work with your physician to determine when you have recovered and to secure a proof of recovery letter that you should carry with you when you travel.
If you are unable to find testing locally, check with the airport you’re flying out of to see if they have testing sites. Be sure to leave ample time for testing and delivery of results!

We know this is a lot of information and that it changes often—we’re doing our best to prepare you as much as we can! As challenging as departure might be, we are confident about the next part of your journey. Our on-site staff members are eagerly awaiting your arrival and ready for you to embark on the adventure that you’ve hoped and planned for. You can do this!

We will continue to monitor travel regulations and entry requirements for our program locations and update you as appropriate.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Program Advisor at [email protected].

Your IES Abroad Advising Team

December 29, 2021

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 Amsterdam Students, with the exception of students going on the Amsterdam Direct Enrollment - Conservatorium van Amsterdam Program.

IES Abroad - Amsterdam Quarantine Update

Dear Amsterdam Student,

This morning we learned of a new quarantine mandate for U.S. travelers to the Netherlands. Due to the spike in coronavirus cases in the United States (440,000 reported on Monday), the U.S. has been categorized as very high risk.

You can see more about the quarantine measures here: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/self-quarantine/mandatory-quarantine

Currently, all students departing from the United States will be required to quarantine for at least 5 days upon arrival in Amsterdam. At the end of the five days, you will have to provide a negative COVID test administered by a Regional Health Board Centre (GGD). If you get tested on day 5 of your self-quarantine and the result is negative, you may end your quarantine. If you do not get a negative COVID test after five days, you will have to stay in quarantine for another five days, with a maximum of 10 days in quarantine.

Please note: These and other regulations may change by the time of your departure for Amsterdam. Because regulations can change at any time, we highly discourage early arrival. If you have already booked a flight arriving before the arrival date of your program, please contact your Program Advisor at [email protected] .

We are monitoring the regulations and conditions on the ground closely and will be in contact with you in the coming weeks with any updates and necessary information. We will be sending a full, detailed list of entry requirements for the Netherlands in the coming weeks as well.

Rest assured, our Amsterdam staff is working on final preparations and are eagerly awaiting your arrival! We hope this update gives you and your families some peace of mind as prepare for your semester ahead.

Please contact your advisor with any questions at [email protected].

Best,

Your IES Abroad Amsterdam Advising Team

December 28, 2021

IES Abroad - Important Spring 2022 Rabat Program Update

We have an important update to the Rabat Spring 2022 program.

You may have heard that the Moroccan government has extended its restriction of direct flights into the country until January 31st, 2021. Based on this information we are modifying the start of this program.

We will now conduct the 10-day on-site orientation programming virtually. We still plan the academic component of the program to be on-site and in-person. Although the flight restriction technically ends on January 31st, based on experience, it may be extended by a few days and there may also be challenges as many people try to reschedule flights at the same time. We believe the 10-day window will give the necessary time for rescheduling.

We will continue to monitor the travel restrictions and on-site conditions and keep students updated as appropriate. We will also send follow up information as soon as we have more details regarding specifics of the orientation. We wanted to get this information to students as soon as possible so they can discuss with their families and home schools.

This has been a roller coaster ride for us all and rest assured, our Rabat staff and faculty are eagerly preparing students’ arrival! We hope this update gives students and families the necessary information to make the decisions that are right for them, personally and academically.

Lastly, a reminder that IES Abroad’s Spring 2022 Refund Policy allows students to voluntarily withdraw on or before an IES Abroad program’s published arrival date and receive a full refund (refunded to the paying party) of program fees paid to IES Abroad to date, including the Confirmation Deposit.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

December 27, 2021

The message below was sent to Spring 2022 IES Abroad Milan, Rome, and Siena students, their parents, and their schools.

IES Abroad - Important Vaccine Updates for Italy

Dear IES Abroad Italy Student,

We hope you are enjoying the holidays and are getting excited to go to Italy in a few weeks. We are writing with an urgent update by the Italian government regarding vaccine, booster, and mask policies and requirements.

Italy has implemented the use of what it calls a “Green Pass” as proof of vaccination. In the U.S., the CDC’s White Card is similar to the Green Pass in Italy. The Italian government has just announced that the Green Pass is now only valid for 6 months from the most recent dose.

This means that U.S. students whose CDC Card/Vaccination expires during the spring 2022 semester, will need to get their booster (the “third dose”) while still in the United States, before traveling to Italy (recognized vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca). The option of getting the booster in Italy is not feasible.

it may be increasingly challenging to get a booster in the United States, we recommend that students traveling to Italy for the spring semester make an appointment ASAP to receive their booster shots as soon as possible before leaving for Italy.

As of January 10, 2022, a CDC Card showing a booster will be mandatory for access to museums and other cultural sites in Italy, as well as for access to gyms, swimming pools, spas, cultural centers, social centers, and other sites and locations in Italy. Although this doesn't currently apply to students taking courses at the IES Abroad Center and at Italian partner universities, we believe it may be likely in the future.

New Mask Mandate:
Also, as of December 25, 2021, and until January 31, 2022, wearing masks will be mandatory at all times, even outdoors.

NOTE: FFP2 (KN95) masks are MANDATORY in theaters, movies, stadiums as well as on ALL public transportation (e.g., bus, train, subway, etc.) until the COVID-19 emergency ends. Currently these masks are available to purchase in Italy in shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, and online. However, students should take a supply of KN95 masks to Italy with them as well.

Random COVID-19 Testing
Local authorities can now require and give COVID-19 molecular or antigenic tests at airports and train stations to travelers arriving in Italy. Those with positive results will be subject to mandatory self-isolation for 10 days.

Once you receive your booster shot, please make sure to promptly update your “COVID-19 Booster Form” in your MyIESabroad account.

If you should have questions regarding any of the information in this message, please feel free to reach out to your Program Advisor at [email protected] or 800.995.2300.

Best,

Your IES Abroad Italy Advising Team

December 16, 2021

IES Abroad Barcelona – Health Information Update

An IES Abroad student living at an apartment in Carrer Valencia tested positive tonight for COVID-19 (to be confirmed with a PCR test at the hospital). Two of the roommates have tested negative and another one is waiting for results. The student will have to remain in isolation during the quarantine period.

We will maintain our final in-person exams at the IES Abroad Center tomorrow, December 17th, and we will strictly enforce social distancing and other safety measures as we have been doing all semester.

If students have concerns, they should reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

December 15, 2021

IES Abroad Barcelona – Health Information Update

An IES Abroad student living at an apartment in Carrer Muntaner tested positive tonight for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test at the hospital). The roommate and their close contacts have all tested negative on the antigen test. The roommate has been relocated to another residence hall. The COVID-positive student will have to remain isolated in the apartment during the quarantine period. The close contacts of the student (who tested positive for Covid-19) took an antigen test and all were negative.

We will maintain our final in-person exams at the IES Abroad Center, December 16th and17th and we will strictly enforce social distancing and other safety measures as we have been doing all semester.

If students have concerns, they can reach out to our student affairs team at 933 427 833 or write to Olga Sánchez at [email protected].

December 15, 2021

IES Abroad Milan – Health Information Update

An IES Abroad student living at Camplus Turro residence hall has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). The student has been isolating in a separate room since receiving a positive antigen test on Monday, December 13th and will continue to do so through the end of the program (and until cleared to fly).

The close contacts of the student who tested positive for COVID-19 were given an antigen test and all but one was negative. The student who received a positive antigen test is isolating and waiting for the results of the PCR test.

The Milan staff remain available should students have any questions related to this ahead of heading home.

December 14, 2021

IES Abroad Milan – Health Information Update

An IES Abroad student living at Bligny residence hall has tested positive today for Covid-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). The student has been isolating in a separate residence since receiving a positive antigen test on Saturday, December 11th and will continue to do so through the end of the program.

The close contacts of the student who tested positive for COVID-19 were given an antigen test and all but one were negative. he student who received a positive antigen test is isolating and waiting for the results of the PCR test. If this student has a PCR positive result before the end of the program, the Center Director will communicate this information to students.

We will maintain our final in-person exams at the IES Abroad Center tomorrow, December 15 and will strictly enforce distancing and safety measures. If, however, students are uncomfortable coming to the Center tomorrow, they may elect to take final exams remotely from their rooms at the same time as originally scheduled.

If they choose the online option, they should contact Dr. Amanda Swain at [email protected] by 10pm this evening to confirm their decision.

December 9, 2021

The message below was sent specifically to Spring 2022 Nantes, Nice, and Paris (French Studies & BIA) students:

IES Abroad France – Additional Information for Booster Vaccinations

Following up on messaging we sent to you last week (message from November 23rd) about getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster before departing for your program, this is especially important for you as a student headed to France. France has made the determination that COVID-19 vaccines are only considered effective for 7 months from the date of the last dose of either a two-dose course, like Pfizer and Moderna, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Getting a booster is even more important now that the world is dealing with a new variant, Omicron. In order to protect yourself from disease, updated travel restrictions and governmental requirements have been implemented abroad.

Remaining in compliance with local regulations for vaccines will be your responsibility. If you do not have a vaccine that was administered within the last 7 months of your program, you’ll be responsible for any testing required to stay within French regulations. France no longer has free testing, and now states that tests are only valid within 24 hours of getting them. The ramifications of not having a vaccine within the efficacy standards of France is that you would not be eligible to visit public spaces such restaurants, cafes, museums, the IES Center and our classes, public transportation, and other venues without constant COVID testing. In other words, without having a vaccine that is compliant with the national rules, you will not be able to participate in IES Abroad classes, excursions, and visit public spaces without incurring the costs of constant testing.

Therefore, we urge you to review the data on your CDC vaccine card as soon as possible and calculate when the vaccine will be considered ineffective, 7 months from the last dose, in relation to the end date of our program. Because we cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to obtain a booster overseas, you should make arrangements now for a booster before you depart so that you will be compliant for the duration of your program. Make sure to have the booster added to your CDC card and bring it and a copy with you abroad.

If you have questions about obtaining a booster we urge you to speak to your physician.

December 3, 2021

The message below was sent specifically to Spring 2022 Milan, Rome, and Siena students:

IES Abroad Italy - Additional Information for Booster Vaccinations

Following up on messaging we sent to you last week (message from November 23rd) about getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster before departing for your program, this is especially important for you as a student headed to Italy. Italy has made the determination that COVID-19 vaccines are only considered effective for 270 days from the date of the last dose of either a two-dose course, like Pfizer and Moderna, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The same decrease in valid duration of one's vaccination status has also been proposed for the entirety of the European Union. Getting a booster is even more important now that the world is dealing with a new variant, Omicron. In order to protect yourself from disease, updated travel restrictions and governmental requirements have been implemented abroad.

Remaining in compliance with local regulations for vaccines will be your responsibility. The ramifications of not having a vaccine within the efficacy standards of Italy is that you would potentially not be eligible to visit public spaces such restaurants, cafes, museums, the IES Abroad Center and our classes, public transportation, and other venues. In other words, without having a vaccine that is compliant with the national/European Union-wide rules, you will not be able to participate in IES Abroad classes, excursions, and visit public spaces. This would also limit your ability to travel to other member nations outside of Italy.

Therefore, we urge you to review the data on your CDC vaccine card as soon as possible and calculate when the vaccine will be considered ineffective (270 days from the last dose) in relation to the end date of your program (varies by program). Because you will not be able to obtain a booster overseas, you should make arrangements now for a booster before you depart so that you will be compliant for the duration of your program. Make sure to have the booster added to your CDC card and bring it and a copy with you abroad.

If you have questions about obtaining a booster, we urge you to speak to your physician.

December 3, 2021

The message below was sent specifically to Spring 2022 Vienna students:

IES Abroad Vienna – Additional Information for Booster Vaccinations

Following up on messaging we sent to you last week (message from November 23rd) about getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster before departing for your program, this is especially important for you as a student headed to Vienna. Austria has made the determination that COVID-19 vaccines are only considered effective for 270 days from the date of the last dose of either a two-dose course, like Pfizer and Moderna, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Getting a booster is even more important now that the world is dealing with a new variant, Omicron. In order to protect yourself from disease, updated travel restrictions and governmental requirements have been implemented abroad. For more information on Austria’s covid regulations, I recommend taking a look at their government webpage.

Remaining in compliance with local regulations for vaccines will be your responsibility. The ramifications of not having a vaccine within the efficacy standards of Austria is that you would likely not be eligible to visit public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, museums, the IES Abroad Center and our classes, public transportation, and other venues. In other words, without having a vaccine that is compliant with the national rules, you will likely not be able to participate in IES Abroad classes, excursions, and visit public spaces.

Therefore, we urge you to review the data on your CDC vaccine card as soon as possible and calculate when the vaccine will be considered ineffective (270 days from the last dose) in relation to the end date of our program, which is May 14, 2022. Because you will not be able to obtain a booster overseas, you should make arrangements now for a booster before you depart so that you will be compliant for the duration of your program. Make sure to have the booster added to your CDC card and bring it and a copy with you abroad.

If you have questions about obtaining a booster we urge you to speak to your physician.

December 3, 2021

The message below was sent to all Spring 2022 students.

IES Abroad Health and Safety Update December 3, 2021

As a follow-up to our message sent on November 29th, we wanted to share some further updates and clarifications about Omicron in response to some inquiries we've received.

Below are a few items that arose in our recent discussions about and with students, parents, and schools. We hope that you find the following information helpful.

At the present time, we intend to run our Spring 2022 programs.
Any changes to Spring 2022 programs will be based upon science and informed by research-based organizations such as the CDC and the WHO, the situation on the ground in individual countries, the efficacy of established vaccines and boosters with the Omicron variant, and entry requirements established by the individual countries.
We anticipate that the CDC and WHO will announce their findings in the next two weeks, at which time we will communicate with you and your families regarding any changes to Spring 2022 programming. In the meantime, we are proceeding with plans to offer Spring 2022 programming, as scheduled.
In order to give you and your families the greatest amount of time to make any decision about your participation, we have modified our Spring 2022 refund policy to give a full refund to students withdrawing from a program up to the program start date (our prior policy was two weeks before the program start date). In other words, there will be no program-related costs charged to students who withdraw up to their program start date.
We cannot move Spring 2022 program start dates back, due to academic calendar, housing arrangements, and university partner calendars.
You will continue to receive regular communications from us about the status of Spring 2022.
As we have communicated previously, we want to remind you of our vaccination requirement and the importance of receiving booster shots:
- This spring, all IES Abroad students and interns are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Some of the IES Abroad host countries define the efficacy duration of COVID-19 vaccines differently and depending on the timing of your last vaccination date, some are already requiring a booster shot. These definitions can change at any time and being out of compliance may affect your ability to visit public spaces, including your classes, libraries, cafes, and public transportation. It is therefore extremely important that you be in compliance with local and in-country regulations regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
- Because we cannot expect booster shots to be available to students abroad, the best way to make sure you are compliant with local regulations and protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get a booster shot before you depart for your program. Make sure you have documentation of your booster shot recorded on your CDC card and take your original CDC card and a photocopy with you abroad.
- We also ask that you upload your booster information to your MyIESabroad account. If you haven't already submitted it, you can include this information in the COVID-19 Vaccination History and Agreement form, or in the COVID-19 Booster form.

Having students onsite right now during the pandemic has given us greater experience managing challenging situations related to COVID-19, which IES Abroad has done successfully for nearly 20 years with SARS, H1N1, H1N9, Zika and COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation through a variety of highly credible sources, following science, best practices, and public policy.

Our senior management team (along with our Crisis Management Team that is on-call 24/7) will continue to review the situation on a daily basis, and we commit to responding and communicating with you, your families and your home institution swiftly and based upon our knowledge, insight, and experience with these issues.

Sincerely,
The IES Abroad Advising Team

December 2, 2021

The message below was sent to all Fall 2021 on-site students:

IES Abroad – Travel Guidelines Update

Dear IES Abroad Students,

We are all closely monitoring the COVID-19 Omicron variant at IES Abroad. The entire world is working to get a better understanding of the new variant and striving to find ways to identify effective mitigation protocols.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has narrowed the window of time for you to undergo a COVID-19 test before returning to the U.S. You will now need to be tested within 24 hours of departing your program location. Your Center Staff will be providing information on where you can undergo testing that meets this new requirement. Please continue to follow all applicable health and safety measures in your location, as well as all IES Abroad pandemic protocols at your Center and location, including closely following mask and social distancing protocols and complying with all other local, regional, national and IES Abroad requirements.

In the unlikely event that you test positive, your IES Abroad Center staff will assist you with housing and support until you are able to depart. This will be at IES Abroad’s expense.

We plan to continue all IES Abroad programs on-site through their official end date. Any on-site course requirements and exams must be completed at your program location. If you have completed all of your on-site requirements and exams, you may depart at any time.

Please know that IES Abroad maintains a well-trained and experienced Crisis Management Team that will continue to closely monitor this situation and work in tandem with all our Centers abroad. Your Center staff will continue to keep you updated and informed as well. As your program ends, please be vigilant about checking email from your Center staff for updates specific to your program and location. Your health and safety are our highest priority.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Center staff. I hope your time abroad has been educational and transformative.
Sincerely,

Michael Adewumi, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Programs
IES Abroad

December 1, 2021

IES Abroad London - Health Information Update

Another student associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club has tested positive today for Covid-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). Please note:

The student who tested positive for COVID-19: will be required to isolate until 8 December. They will access their classes through Zoom and Big Blue Button which has been arranged for them.

Close contacts of the student who tested positive for COVID-19: were required to take a PCR test which came back negative. These students do not need to isolate.

For all students, we strongly recommend that they conduct rapid antigen tests regularly and let us know if they receive a positive result. We will work with them to arrange a free PCR test and arrange remote teaching for them should they test positive.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the UK Government. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

November 29, 2021

This message was sent to all Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 IES Abroad Students:

IES Abroad Update – Omicron Variant

As you are probably aware from the recent news, there is a newly identified variant of the coronavirus called Omicron. Here at IES Abroad we are watching the situation very closely for updated information on this variant. At this point, there are a lot of unknowns about the variant, including its transmissibility and the efficacy of available vaccines against it. We know it will take some time for these issues to come into focus. Please know that we are following these issues closely.

We are also monitoring possible travel restrictions related to the new variant. At this time, travel is still allowed to countries where we currently have students onsite this fall. Travel and border restrictions can, however, change quickly and at any time. Therefore, we are urging all our students on-site not to travel independently outside the country of their program until more information is available.

Thanks to students for continuing to follow all applicable health and safety measures in your location, as well as all IES Abroad pandemic protocols at the Center and location, including closely following mask and social distancing protocols and complying with all other local, regional, national and IES Abroad requirements. We also ask them to be vigilant about checking email from their Center staff for updates specific to their program and location.

The health and safety of our students is our highest priority. We want to remind you that IES Abroad maintains a well-trained and experienced Crisis Management Team that is closely monitoring this situation and working in tandem with all our Centers abroad. Our staff on the ground will continue to keep you updated and informed, as well.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff at [email protected] or 800.995.2300.

November 29, 2021

IES Abroad London – Health Information Update

A student associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). Please note the IES Abroad protocols:

Student who tested positive for COVID-19: This student will be required to isolate for 10 days, from the time they first started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, which in this case is Friday 26 November.

Close contacts of the student who tested positive for COVID-19: These students were all required to take a PCR test which all came back negative. These students do not need to isolate.

For all students, we strongly recommend that students conduct a rapid antigen test as soon as possible, and let us know if they receive a positive result.

November 26, 2021

IES Abroad Amsterdam – COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 numbers haven’t gone down since the introductions of the ‘mild lockdown’ on 13 November. To alleviate the impact on the hospitals, new measures are being announced in a press conference with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. As always, news of the anticipated measures are available, and I will share them now. Naturally, if there is anything that should change, or if additional information becomes available in the press conference, I will share that immediately.

The package is coined as the evening lockdown in an attempt to reduce people mingling from 5pm to 5am each night. To this end, the hospitality sector, non-essential shops, arts and culture businesses, amateur sports facilities, and locations where people move in a route from one space to the next, such as zoos and museums will close at 5pm. These measurements will be in place for at least 3 weeks. There are no restrictions on moving around town.

What this means for students:

After 5pm, visiting cafes, restaurants, cinemas, museums, music venues, or going to the gym will no longer be possible. Any of these activities needs to occur before 5pm.
Non-essential shops, such as clothing shops, will close at 5pm. Supermarkets and drugstores can remain open until 8pm.
We need to rethink our last two upcoming social activities in the light of these changes, and we will inform students of any changes as soon as possible.

There are no changes announced for higher education, so the current situations remain in place the same as now. For courses/visits at/to the IES Abroad Centre, this still means:

The social distance rule of 1,5 meters has been reintroduced. At the IES Abroad Centre, we have laid out the classroom and the lounge so that we can all adhere to this requirement. Given the class sizes, classes will remain on-site.
Everyone has to wear your facemask when not seated. Naturally, students/staff can wear a facemask at all times if that makes them feel more comfortable.
In order to adhere to the government mandate to work from home, the IES Abroad Centre will be closed on Fridays for the remainder of the semester. Naturally, staff that work on Fridays are contactable by email and a Zoom meeting can be easily arranged. If students need to do any printing, they should make sure they do this on Thursday.

Some relevant links:

As always, if you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch with the IES Abroad Amsterdam Centre.

November 23, 2021

Booster Message for Spring 2022 Students

We strongly encourage all students studying abroad in the Spring 2022 semester to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot before departing for their study abroad program. In general, it does not appear that students will be able to receive boosters while abroad.

This spring, all IES Abroad students and interns are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, some of the IES Abroad host countries define the efficacy duration of COVID-19 vaccines differently. These definitions can change at any time and being out of compliance may impact your ability to visit public spaces, including your classes, libraries, cafes, and public transportation. It is therefore extremely important that students comply with local and in-country regulations regarding COVID-19. The best way to comply with local regulations and protect against COVID-19 is to get a booster shot before departing for the program.

Students should make sure they have documentation of their booster shot recorded on their CDC card and take the original CDC card and a photocopy abroad. We also ask that students upload their booster information to their MyIESabroad account. They can include this information in the COVID-19 Vaccination History and Agreement Form, if they haven’t already submitted it, or in the COVID-19 Booster Form, which can be found under Optional Forms starting next week.

Students should speak with their healthcare provider about receiving the COVID-19 booster as soon as possible. Getting a booster will best protect students, those around them, minimize the potential for travel restrictions, and maximize access to the world around them.

Because we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls, should students have questions, we ask that they contact their advisor via email at [email protected] and we will do our best to reply within one working day of email.

November 21, 2021

This message was sent to all Fall 2021 IES Abroad Vienna Students:

IES Abroad Vienna - Health Information Update

As I communicated in an email to you yesterday, a faculty member has tested positive for COVID. We have since determined that a second faculty member was in contact, and today this second faculty member also received a positive COVID test result. Thankfully, frequent testing and contact tracing has enabled us to catch these cases early.

Through contact tracing we believe that there are no additional contact persons within the IES Abroad Vienna Academic Community, and no action is required from you.

The new precautions that we are taking at the institute to enable safe in-person learning will come into effect tomorrow, Monday, November 22nd. Again, these precautions include submitting a PCR test result every day that you attend class, and continuing diligent use of FFP2/N95 masks within the institute.

Take care and be in touch if you have any questions or concerns that you would like to raise.

November 20, 2021

This message was sent specifically to students who were not exposed to COVID-19 at the Vienna Center, but should still be informed:

IES Abroad Vienna - Health Information Update

I am writing to you to inform you that a member of the IES Abroad Vienna academic community has tested positive for COVID-19. We all wish this person a speedy recovery. Thankfully, you have not been categorized as a K2 individual and did not come in direct contact with this individual. You are not required by mandate to submit to a PCR test nor are you subject to other protocols for "low risk contact persons".

Please note that beginning Monday, IES Abroad Vienna will be implementing the following protocols:

All students and faculty entering the building must come with a negative PCR test from within the past 48 hours. This is mandatory and will be checked thoroughly. The test result must be submitted before attending class AND no later than 10:00am on that day (e.g., if you have class at 9am, then upload your test before 9am; if you have class at 2pm, then upload your test before 10am). Use the following link to submit your test: https://iesvienna.wufoo.com/forms/pcr-test-upload/
1. Submitting a test on Sunday is possible, for example at the Billa located in the Praterstern Train Station, or in the BP Gas Station at Margaretengürtel 43-45.
All students, faculty, and staff must wear a certified protective mask (FFP2/N95) at all times when in any part of the building with the following exceptions:
1. Instructors speaking at the front of the class when teaching
2. Staff when alone in their offices (not in meetings of any kind)
Chairs and desks must be kept a safe distance apart as indicated by marks on the floor
Classrooms and offices must be aired regularly (multiples times per hour), especially between classes and any meetings

November 20, 2021

This message was sent specifically to students in the affected courses after which they were followed up with via phone:

IES Abroad Vienna - Health Information Update

I am writing to you specifically, as one of your instructors has tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, you are characterized as a "low-risk contact person" (K2) because you are vaccinated. Another layer of safety is the fact that you all were required to wear masks while in class.

We know that this may be concerning to learn. Please read through the following information and be in touch with Gavin ([email protected]) directly if you have any questions or feel overwhelmed.

Firstly, you are not required to quarantine. Regardless, there are some precautions that you must follow over the coming days:

You are required to wear an FFP2/N95 mask outside your own room (including shared spaces in your apartment), with particular care taken when coming into contact with others

Submit a PCR test every day until Day 5 after last exposure. In your case, this is Tuesday, Nov 23. If the test result from Tuesday, Nov 23, comes back negative, then you will be able to drop these precautions and will no longer be considered KP2. We require you to upload each test result using the following link: https://iesvienna.wufoo.com/forms/pcr-test-upload/

Self-monitoring of physical condition until Day 10 after last exposure to COVID-positive person, including measuring body temperature twice per day and keeping a journal of any physical symptoms, body temperature, daily activities and contact with other people
As much as possible, avoid contact with others, the use of public transportation, and any other travel
Limit visits to crowded places

People who are classified as K2 are still allowed to go to educational institutions (including commuting via public transportation). Limitations of mobility/contact only apply to extracurricular activities (e.g., gym, bars, private social events).

Again, these restrictions will be lifted as soon as you have tested negative on Day 5 after last exposure.

November 19, 2021

IES Abroad Vienna - Health Information Update

Austria is going into a nationwide lockdown starting on Monday, Nov 22 due to COVID-19. The lockdown is expected to last for 20 days. Because there are nuances and exceptions to this lockdown, we want to provide more information.

Importantly, exceptions to the lockdown are being made for educational institutions. Unfortunately, the government press conference was not sufficiently clear about many of the details, and we are waiting for a formal text to be issued. This means that we are still working out the details in some areas and expect to have more updates for students over the weekend.

In the meantime, if students have concerns, or questions regarding this situation, they can feel free to write directly to Gavin ([email protected]).

Classes and IES Abroad Programming:
What form will classes and IES Abroad programming take during the lockdown? This question involves many moving parts, and we are still waiting for additional written information from the government so that we can make appropriate decisions. Possibilities that we are considering include continued in-person instruction while observing precautions that may include daily or regular PCR testing, hybrid online/in-person class, or a transition to online learning. We are working hard to iron out the details while balancing safety, the student experience, and regulations. We will provide more information as soon as we can.

Overview of Lockdown Restrictions:
In general, from 22 November, people who live in Austria are expected to strongly reduce social contact.

Students are encouraged to leave home for socially distanced exercise and fresh air (which includes, for example, going for a walk through the city or in one of Vienna's many parks). If asked by authorities, students should be prepared to explain that they are outside for one of these exceptions.

All businesses will be closed except for supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices, food delivery and other essential services. This means that restaurants, cafes, bars, and event venues will be closed. All cultural institutions will be closed (e.g., museums, theaters).

Travel:
We expect that travel will be allowed within the country for work, and that people will be asked to avoid travel for any other reason. Getting back into Austria may be difficult from outside the country. With this in mind, we would recommend that students do not travel outside the country this weekend; if they are already outside the country (e.g., on a weekend trip), we would recommend making certain to return before the end of the day on Sunday, 21 Nov.

We do not anticipate a situation in which students are "stuck in Austria." Throughout the pandemic, it has always been possible for U.S. citizens to return to the United States. Students should contact Gavin if their situation is different (e.g., if you are not a U.S. citizen but live within the United States).

Lockdown Timespan:
Again, the lockdown is expected to be in place for 20 days (i.e., 22 Nov - 12 Dec). After 10 days (i.e., 2 Dec), the effectiveness of the lockdown will be reevaluated by the authorities.

Internships:
A note for part-time semester interns: we are following developments closely and will be sharing more information as soon as possible. Interns should stay in close contact with their internship faculty and placement supervisors. Any concerns or feedback specific to internships can be sent to [email protected].

November 18, 2021

IES Abroad Freiburg - Health Information Update

Today we learned that one student in our community has tested positive for COVID-19. We have asked the student to isolate and have already conducted the contact tracing within our community.

In case of a positive PCR test, the local policy and procedure is as follows:

The positive tested person needs to isolate themselves for 14 days. If the person does not have any symptoms and is vaccinated, they may take a PCR test after 5 days and may leave isolation if the test is negative.
Any person who has been in close contact with a positive-tested person is required to quarantine unless they are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID in the last 6 months.
Close contact is defined as spending more than 15-minutes with the positive-tested person without masks or without the distance of 1.5 meters. Close contact is also defined as sharing bodily fluids, which could also include sharing beverages.

As members of the IES Abroad Freiburg community, we ask students to self-monitor daily for any symptoms of COVID-19. These may include, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If they experience any symptoms of COVID -19 or need medical attention, they should contact IES Abroad staff for assistance. We would also like to remind students that they can visit the testing site across the IES Abroad housing for a free rapid test: https://testkalender.de/europaplatz-freiburg. We encourage them to make use of this on a regular basis.

For students in the IES Abroad Language & Area Studies Program and the Environmental Studies & Sustainability Program, courses will continue as scheduled and planned.

In the case that a student must be in isolation or quarantine, we will provide an online link to the usually attended course(s) and the student can therefore join synchronously. Missed field study will be made up with individual work after a consultation with the faculty. We will work closely with the student, so they do not fall behind academically.

For students who do not have COVID -19, are vaccinated, and are not a close contact of someone with COVID -19, you can go about your days as usual. We do ask, though, that students remain cautious and follow the IES Abroad and German COVID prevention protocols.

November 17, 2021

IES Abroad Dublin - Student Health Update

A student associated with IES Abroad and living at Beckett House has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test).

Student who tests positive for COVID-19 (with a confirmed PCR test): will be required to isolate in their room for 10 days, from the time they first started experiencing COVID symptoms and have no fever for the previous 5 days. This period will end on the 25 November.

Roommate of a student who tested positive for COVID-19: will be required to restrict their movements (stay in your apartment) for 5 days and take three antigen tests supplied by the Heath Service Executive. Upon completion of the 5 days and negative antigen tests they can leave their apartment, which in this case will be 22 November. Please note that we have contacted those who are in this category. If students have not heard from us, they remain unaffected.

A close contact of a student who tested positive for COVID-19: Students should be contacted by the HSE to receive an antigen test. Should they receive a positive COVID-19 test result, they should contact us immediately.

Based on this development, IES Abroad staff will be working remotely and IES Abroad courses will be delivered virtually for the next five days. Staff will be contacted per working hours via email and the IES Abroad Emergency Phone is available. Regina will send connectivity instructions for IES Abroad courses to all students in The Finest Music and Write Here, Write Now tomorrow morning. We will continue to evaluate and update you on the situation.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the Irish Government. The health and well-being of our students is our top priority. As always, if you experience any symptoms, please get a PCR test.

We encourage students to download The HSE app called COVID Tracker to assist the HSE in providing a quick response to contact tracing. For more information on COVID guidelines, see https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/.

November 16, 2021

IES Abroad London - Health Information Update

A London Centre staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 today.

We are currently recommending that any student who was in the IES Abroad London Centre on November 11 or 12 acquire and perform an antigen rapid test (a reminder that these are available free of charge from any pharmacy). All staff members and faculty present at the Centre on November 11 and 12 are also undergoing testing. Should a student receive a positive COVID-19 test result, please contact the London Centre immediately. They will assist students in receiving the care they need.

Due to the minimal contact this staff member had with students on November 11 and 12, IES Abroad classes will continue as normal at the Centre.

Finally, IES Abroad London staff continue to be available via phone for any emergency or inquiry and can be reached at +44 7801514547 (out of hours) and 0044 207 299 4420.

November 15, 2021

IES Abroad Paris BIA - Health Information Update

It has come to our attention that a BIA staff member has unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 today.
Based on this development, we are cancelling all of tomorrow morning’s language courses. Students in “Art Design and Fashion in France,” ”Digital Marketing,” and “France Today” will have their courses online. These students will receive connection instructions tomorrow via email approximately 15 minutes before the start of each course.

Any student who was in the IES Abroad Center today should go to a pharmacy tomorrow and acquire an antigen “rapid” test. To encourage all students who were at the Center today to get tested, IES Abroad will reimburse students who purchase this test with presentation of their receipt. All staff members and faculty present at the Center today will be tested as well and will work remotely until further notice. Should a student receive a positive COVID-19 test result, they should contact us immediately. We will assist them in receiving the care they need.

Per French law, our Center will need to be closed for the remainder of the week. IES Abroad staff will continue to be available via phone for any emergency or inquiry you may have. We can be reached at r+33623259524. Students will receive further notification tomorrow on how IES Abroad classes will continue via an online platform this week.

November 12, 2021

IES Abroad Milan Important Health Update

A student associated with IES Abroad and living at Collegio di Milano has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). Please note the IES Abroad protocols, which are fully in line with current Italian government requirements:

Students who test positive for COVID-19 (with a confirmed PCR test): will be required to isolate for 7 days, from the time they received a positive COVID-19 test, which in this case is today, Friday, November 12th. Please note that we will work with students to determine the time their quarantine will end which will be according to their symptoms and subject to another PCR test.

Roommate of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: will be required to take an antigen test and isolate for 7 days from the time the positive roommate received a positive COVID-19 test, which in this case is today, Friday, November 12th.

Recent and close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19 i.e. has been in the presence of the individual for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period: will be required to take an antigen test and isolate for 7 days, from the time the positive person obtained a positive result, which in this case is today, Friday, November 12th. Please note that we will contact students directly if they are in this category. If they have not heard from us, they remain unaffected.

Roommates of a close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: they are not required to isolate. However, isolation will be requested if their roommate tests positive for COVID-19.

For students in the first three categories: your quarantine starts on Friday, November 12th, and you can go out again on Friday, November 19th. We ask that students also conduct regular rapid antigen tests and let us know if they receive a positive result. They should also let us know if they need more free testing kits; as you are in isolation, we will be happy to bring you another packet.

Please note that we will soon be reaching out to all affected students to reiterate the ways in which we will be helping and supporting you. If students are isolating, we will contact them with information on how to access theirr classes.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the Italian Government. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

November 12, 2021

IES Abroad Spring 2022 Buenos Aires, Rabat, Santiago Program Updates & Some Deadline Extensions

IES Abroad Spring 2022 Buenos Aires, Rabat, Santiago Program Updates & Some Deadline Extensions

Based upon travel restrictions, entry requirements, program enrollments and conditions on the ground, we have evaluated the following programs and I’m happy to report that we will be running the following IES Abroad Spring 2022 and J-Term Programs:

Buenos Aires - Advanced Spanish Immersion
Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
Rabat – Study in Rabat*
Santiago - Health Studies**
Santiago - Politics, Social Justice & Language
Santiago January Term - Health Studies programs**

* Reminder, as previously announced, we have reduced the Rabat program length to under 90 days in order to avoid visa complications.

** For Spring 2022 for Santiago - Health Studies and Santiago January Term - Health Studies programs, clinical observations and some other program activities will be modified and adapted to follow COVID-19 protocols in Chile.

These updates have been communicated to students and their families today.

Deadline Extensions:

We are also happy to report that we are able to extend the application deadlines for the following programs:

Buenos Aires - Advanced Spanish Immersion December 9
Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures December 9
Freiburg – Language and Area Studies December 16
Freiburg – Environmental Studies & Sustainability December 16
Rabat – Study in Rabat December 2
Santiago - Health Studies November 18
Santiago - Politics, Social Justice & Language November 18

These extensions have been reflected on our website.

November 9, 2021

IES Abroad Important Spring 2022 GAIAS Program Update

As was necessary this fall, the Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment – GAIAS program will run with some modifications for Spring 2022.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

In order to maintain a safe environment in which all involved are fully vaccinated, the program will start in the Galápagos Islands for the first four modules. The last module will take place on the mainland with a trip to the USFQ Tiputini Biodiversity Station, where all the staff has also been fully vaccinated.

Modules 1, 2, 3, and 4 - GAIAS Campus in San Cristobal, Galápagos Islands
Module 5 - USFQ Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon Basin
The GAIAS program will offer all four tracks for the Spring 2022 semester.

PROGRAM DATES & PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATIONS

We have recently been informed of the GAIAS schedule, including an update to the official program dates. The official program dates are now January 11 – May 7. Students should reach out to us if they have already booked flights with the previous program dates.

Students are required to participate in GAIAS virtual orientation sessions and the mandatory 1- credit Spanish course before the program arrival date from January 3-10. Activities on these days will take about 4 hours per day. Students will receive a detailed schedule from USFQ prior to these sessions.

Students are also required to participate in IES Abroad Virtual Predeparture Orientation sessions in the weeks before arrival. They will receive a detailed schedule for these sessions soon.

ENTRY DOCUMENTATION

U.S. citizens who will only be in Ecuador for one semester are not required to apply for a visa prior to their arrival in Quito. Instead of applying for a Temporary Residence Visa, students will be extending their Tourist Visas from 90 days to 180 days upon their arrival to Ecuador. We will provide them with important immigration documentation via email that they must print out in color and carry with them in their carry-on luggage on the flight to Quito. They will present this documentation to the Customs and Immigration officials in the Quito airport.

Further detailed information regarding the tourist visa extension is in their MyIESabroad accounts in the Predeparture Information Guide under Plan Travel > Passport & Visa.

COVID-19 & YELLOW FEVER VACCINES

IES Abroad requires students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. USFQ is actively working with the Ministry of Public Health and the Government Council of Galápagos in a mass vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic, to make the Galápagos Islands the first immunized archipelago in Latin America. Learn more about the vaccination process in the Galápagos Islands.

In an effort to minimize the health risks to students, faculty and staff and the entire population of the Galápagos Islands, USFQ requires that all students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in the Spring 2022 GAIAS Program. View the COVID-19 Protocols from USFQ (protocols are subject to change as the situation progresses). Therefore, IES Abroad cannot approve any vaccination exemptions.

Additionally, the Yellow Fever vaccine is required for all visitors and students to the USFQ Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon Basin. Locate a clinic where you can receive a Yellow Fever vaccine in the US.

Students will need to provide proof of vaccination for both COVID-19 and Yellow Fever by December 3 in order to participate in the program. They can upload your vaccination records to the forms in their MyIESAbroad accounts. The should be sure to consult their physician regarding vaccination, especially if they must receive both vaccines in the next month.

We will be sharing this information with students’ home schools. However, please check they should check with their study abroad office to discuss whether these modifications will affect their participation in any way.

November 5, 2021

IES Abroad - Dublin Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology Spring 2022 Program Update

We have made the decision to run the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Dublin - Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology program (BET). In order to make it possible to run the program, we will be combining the course offerings for the BET program with our other programs at the Center: Dublin – Irish Studies and Dublin – Writers Program.

We will be releasing course PRE-registration for Dublin programs in the coming weeks. The course information we gather from students across the three Dublin programs will help determine what we will offer for the Spring 2022 term. We will have course offerings in BET disciplines but just like on home campuses, we need sufficient interest and enrollment to offer courses.

We plan to offer part-time internships and for students who enroll in the IN 395: Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar, note that placements will likely be virtual or hybrid and may transition to in person only if circumstances on-site with our placements allow. We plan to offer the internship seminar in person.

Students should consult their home school study abroad office when making any decisions about program and course enrollment.

November 4, 2021

IES Abroad Berlin - Health Information Update

A member of the academic community associated with IES Abroad has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). We have recreated the timeline of possible contact and we are not aware of any close interactions with this member of the IES Abroad community and IES Abroad students since October 22nd, though we ask that students monitor their health closely. If they develop any symptoms related to COVID-19 (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) they should contact any IES Abroad Berlin staff for assistance and instructions about how to be tested.

For all our community, this is a reminder that we must continue to take preventative measures despite the decrease of the pandemic indicators more broadly in Germany. They should continue to follow all IES Abroad COVID-19 requirements, staff recommendations, and comply with COVID-19 related governmental requirements in Germany.

October 29, 2021

IES Abroad - Spring 2022 London Health Practice & Policy Program Update

We have some updates to the Spring 2022 London Health Practice & Policy (HPP) Program that have been necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still planning to offer this program this coming spring semester, but we will not be offering the field study in Jamaica for this term. We have reduced the program cost to account for this change. Students will receive the same number of credits for the required community-based learning seminar, and we will be adding virtual learning components and local field studies to account for this change. See below for overall program components and modification details.

Here is a summary of the programmatic details with information about modifications:

Program Dates: January 18 - April 30
Jamaica Field Study: In line with IES Abroad’s Spring 2022 Health & Safety policies, we have had to make the difficult decision to suspend the Jamaica field trip that is part of the London- Health Practice & Policy program for Spring 2022. Due to Jamaica’s low vaccination rate, this portion of the program would be greatly diminished due to necessary precautions to protect students and others during the field study in healthcare environments with vulnerable populations. Therefore, the HPP Program will be conducted entirely in London for the duration of the program.
Program Cost: We have decreased the cost by $3,955 due to modifications to the program. Spring 2022 tuition will be $14,840, and housing will be $4,300. The total cost of the program, including IES Abroad’s mandatory health insurance policy, is $19,370.
Academic Offerings:
- One Health Studies course taught by IES Abroad London faculty - No change
- One Health course taught at Queen Mary. The syllabi for these courses were emailed to students earlier this week. *
- One elective course from the Study London Program – No change
- One intensive 6-credit Social Welfare Policy course
Field study components will be replaced by virtual experiences. Virtual experiences will expose students to diverse environments and experiences in the healthcare realm. Students will have ample opportunities to exercise critical and comparative thinking and participate in discussions about health care and its impact on different communities and regions.
- The course will incorporate virtual visits with health care practitioners and other guest speakers.
- Students will complete a capstone project as part of the course.
- An updated syllabus is being posted on the web shortly.

*IMPORTANT: In order to register our students at Queen Mary, we must have your confirmation deposit as indication of your intention to participate in the program by Wednesday, November 3, 2021.

In summary, for Spring 2022, we will not be offering the field study component to Jamaica, and we will replace the London-based field study component of our intensive 6-credit Social Welfare Policy course with virtual experiences.

October 29, 2021

IES Abroad - Important Spring 2022 Emerging Economies Program Update

Due to low enrollment, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago Program. We share in their disappointment that it will not be possible to study on this program for the upcoming semester. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working to make study abroad a reality for these students in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Emerging Economies Program, we do expect to run many of our programs abroad in Spring 2022. We invite students to switch their application to one of our Buenos Aires, Santiago, or Quito programs, or to consider another program with business and economics offerings.

Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
Quito - Area Studies & Language (for those with at least 4 semesters of Spanish)
Santiago - Politics, Social Justice & Language (for those with at least 4 semesters of Spanish)

If none of these options interest students, they can find all of our offerings and information about our Program Evaluation Dates here. Please note that the Program Evaluation Dates for Buenos Aires and Santiago have not yet passed, and we will be evaluating the feasibility of these programs at a later date. If students are interested in another program and the application deadline has passed, do reach out to us and we can work to try to get students added late to the program.

We expect our Fall 2022 Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago Program to run as planned, so if students are interested in deferring to that term, they can complete this form and we'll update their application.

Students will receive confirmation soon that their application has been cancelled for Spring 2022. If they decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. Students can find more information about our Spring 2022 refund policy on our website. If they’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Spring 2022 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update their application. Students should consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

October 25, 2021

IES Abroad London - Important Health Update

A student associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club in Kentish Town has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). Please note the IES Abroad protocols, which are fully in line with current UK National Health Services requirements:

Student who tests positive for COVID-19 (with a confirmed PCR test): will be required to isolate for 10 days, from the time they first started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms which in this case is Sunday, October 24th. Please note that we will work with students to determine the time their quarantine will end which will be according to their symptoms and subject to another PCR test.

Roommate of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: will be required to take a PCR test and isolate for 10 days from the time the positive roommate first started experiencing symptoms, which in this case is Sunday October 24th.

Recent and close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19 i.e., has been in the presence of the individual for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period: will be required to take a PCR test and isolate for 10 days, from the time the positive person first started experiencing symptoms, which in this case is Sunday, October 24th. Please note that we will contact students directly if they are in this category. If they have not heard from us, they remain unaffected.

Roommates of a close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: Students are not required to isolate. However, isolation will be requested if their roommate tests positive for COVID-19.

For students in the last three categories, their quarantine starts on Sunday, October 24th, and can go out again on Wednesday, November 3rd. We ask that students also conduct regular rapid antigen tests and let us know if they receive a positive result. They should also let us know if they need more free testing kits; as students are in isolation, we will be happy to bring them another packet.

Please note that we will soon be reaching out to all affected students to reiterate the ways in which we will be helping and supporting them. If students are isolating, we will contact students with information on how to access their classes through Big Blue Button.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the UK Government. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if students have any questions or concerns.

October 15, 2021

IES Abroad Spring 2022 Quito Programs Update

We are happy to report that we will be running our Quito - Area Studies & Language program, which includes the option to enroll in up to two courses at USFQ in addition to IES Abroad courses. However, students who are currently enrolled in the Quito Direct Enrollment - Universidad San Francisco de Quito program will have their application automatically transferred to the Quito - Area Studies & Language program.

We are making this decision to ensure the best possible academic experience for students since the overall enrollment in this program is low. This supports our ability to successfully run our program in Quito while also providing a quality experience.

While the Direct Enrollment option is being modified to include IES Abroad courses, the cost, housing, and field trip options will remain the same. Some highlights of the Area Studies & Language program include an option for a community-based learning seminar and additional course-related trips. If students are currently enrolled in the Quito Direct Enrollment - Universidad San Francisco de Quito program, they should consult their college or university's study abroad office to ensure they can switch their enrollment to the Quito - Area Studies & Language (ASL) program. If they have already submitted a Home School Authorization, we'll ask that their study abroad advisor completes a new one for the ASL program.

Next Steps

Complete The Application

Our program application deadline has passed, but if a student has not yet completed their application, we recommend submitting all required forms as soon as possible!

Confirm Their Place in the Program

If a student has been accepted to the program, they should submit the Confirmation Form in their MyIESabroad account by the deadline listed in their account. Our refund policy for the spring allows them to withdraw up to 14 days before the start of the program without financial penalty, so we hope they feel confident to confirm now knowing they can change their mind for any reason later.

Passports, Visas & Flights

Students have probably already heard from us about their passport but they should check to make sure that they have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past their program’s end date. If they don’t have a valid passport, they should apply immediately and be sure to expedite everything!

If they’ve confirmed their place in the program, they can start to think about flights to and from the program, but there is no rush to book flights right now. We encourage them to make sure they understand the airline’s change and refund policies, and any potential fees, before they book their flights. IES Abroad will be unable to reimburse students for any money expended on travel arrangements should this program need to be suspended at a later date.

While They’re Abroad

There are important considerations we want to make sure students are aware of as they continue to make plans for the spring.

Changes can happen at any time, for any reason. We all know the drill – this pandemic has shown us that anything can happen! If students are committed to studying abroad this spring, we’ll need them to be flexible in adapting to any required changes that come up (think classes going online, needing to test or quarantine, etc.). Rest assured we will stay in close communication with them, both leading up to the program and after arrival, if things need to pivot.
They’ll need to comply with all in-country, airline, and IES Abroad protocols. Regulations continue to change, and students should anticipate that they’ll be asked to comply with various protocols to facilitate your study abroad experience. These could include regular testing, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination status when traveling or doing daily activities, abiding by local curfews or other movement restrictions on-site, and agreeing to any other requests from IES Abroad and local and national governments. These policies and regulations are all designed to ensure their health and safety, and it’s important that they respect these both for themselves and for other students, faculty, and staff.
Students may be one of a small cohort on the program. We know that studying abroad right now may not be the right decision for everyone. As such, we’re anticipating that there may be a small group of students enrolled for the spring at some of our locations. We are committed to making this a great experience, and we’ll be in touch closer to the start of the program to provide a better sense of what the program’s cohort will look like.

Please let us know if you have questions as you make plans for how to proceed. You can call or email us during regular business hours at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

October 15, 2021

IES Abroad Spring 2022 Amsterdam Quarter Program Update

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, one of the new requirements for student entry into the Netherlands is a university letter. Because the Spring Quarter program does not have the university affiliation to provide the necessary documentation for students to enter the country or get a green pass, we have made the decision to suspend the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Amsterdam Quarter program.

We share in the disappointment that it will not be possible to study in Amsterdam for the upcoming quarter with IES Abroad. We know students have put a great deal of thought into their program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We know this is a challenging time, but we remain ready to continue working with students to make study abroad a reality for them in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Amsterdam Quarter program, we do expect to run many of our programs abroad in Spring 2022. If a student’s schedule requires a quarter program, we plan to offer our Berlin Spring Quarter - Business, Sustainability & Innovation program. The application deadline for the program is November 11, 2021 and we will evaluate the feasibility of the Berlin program no later than December 17, 2021.

You can find all of our offerings and information about our Program Evaluation Dates here. If students are interested in another program and the application deadline has passed, they should reach out to us and we can work to try to get they added late to the program.

We expect our Fall 2022 Amsterdam programs to run as planned, so if students are interested in deferring to that term, they can complete this form and we'll update their application.

Students will receive confirmation soon that their application has been cancelled for Spring 2022. If they decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. They can find more information about our Spring 2022 refund policy on our website. If they’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Spring 2022 or a future term, they should complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update their application. Students should consult with their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and a Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

October 15, 2021

Important Tokyo Program Update

Due to the ongoing restrictions for entry to Japan, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Tokyo Language & Culture Program. We are disappointed that it will not be possible for students to study in Tokyo for the upcoming semester with IES Abroad.

We know that students have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program. We also know some students been postponing studying abroad plans for several semesters in hopes that study abroad in Japan would be possible. We know this is particularly challenging for some students. However, we remain ready to continue working with them to make study abroad a reality in the near future.

While we are unable to run our Tokyo Language & Culture program, we do expect to run many of our programs abroad in Spring 2022. You can find all of our offerings and information about our Program Evaluation Dates here. If a student is interested in another program and the application deadline has passed, they should reach out to us as it may be possible to add them late to the program.

We expect our Fall 2022 Tokyo Language & Culture program to run as planned, so if students are interested in deferring to that term, they can complete this form and we'll update their application. We also have a Tokyo Summer Program we expect to run in Summer 2022.

If students decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action from is required. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. You can find more information about our Spring 2022 refund policy on our website. If they’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Spring 2022 or a future term, they can complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update their application. They should consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and a Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

October 14, 2021

IES Abroad London - Important Health Update

A student associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club in Kentish Town has tested positive today for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). Please note the IES Abroad protocols, which are fully in line with current UK National Health Services requirements:

Student who tests positive for COVID-19 (with a confirmed PCR test): will be required to isolate for 10 days, from the time they first started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms which in this case is Saturday October 9th. Please note that we will work with students to determine the time their quarantine will end which will be according to their symptoms and subject to another PCR test.

Roommate of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: will be required to take a PCR test and isolate for 10 days from the time the positive roommate first started experiencing symptoms, which in this case is Saturday October 9th.

Recent and close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19 i.e., has been in the presence of the individual for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period: will be required to take a PCR test and isolate for 10 days, from the time the positive person first started experiencing symptoms, which in this case is Saturday October 9th. Please note that we will contact students directly if they are in this category. If they have not heard from us, they remain unaffected.

Roommates of a close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: students are not required to isolate. However, isolation will be requested if their roommate tests positive for COVID-19.

For students in the last three categories, their quarantine starts on October 9th, and students can go out again on Tuesday 19th October. We ask that students also conduct regular rapid antigen tests and let us know if they receive a positive result. They should also let us know if they need more free testing kits; as students are in isolation, we will be happy to bring them another packet.

Please note that we will soon be reaching out to all affected students to reiterate the ways in which we will be helping and supporting them. If students are isolating, we will contact students with information on how to access their classes through Big Blue Button.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the UK Government. Please do not hesitate to reply to this email if students have any questions or concerns.

October 8, 2021

IES Abroad Important Spring 2022 Program Updates (Cape Town, EU, Rabat, Siena, Shanghai): Modifications, Suspensions, Program Fees

Just a reminder that unless you hear otherwise from us, any programs that are currently running for Fall 2021 will be running in Spring 2022. For programs that are not currently running this fall, we will announce their status on or before the program evaluation date. You can find information on running/suspended programs and upcoming evaluation dates here.

Included in this message:

Program Modifications: European Union, Rabat, Siena
Program Suspensions: Shanghai, Cape Town
Homestays Locations for Spring 2022
Program Fees Posted
Upcoming Deadlines
Updated Travel & Immigration Chart
IES Abroad Correspondents Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month

PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS FOR SPRING 2022
The following programs have been modified for Spring 2022. Please see the modifications below. These will be updated on our website shortly. We will communicate these modifications to the students who have applied to these programs directly.

IES Abroad European Union
We are delighted to announce a modified version of our European Union will run in Spring 2022! As the academic field studies components are integral to the EU Program curriculum, we have modified the program’s three multiday, out-of-country academic field studies. We feel we can travel safely with the students as these trips are highly supervised and coordinated by IES Abroad. All students attending the program will be vaccinated per our Spring 2022 organization-wide vaccination policy. This will ease entry/exit and movement across borders, remove the necessity to quarantine or have routine testing while traveling, and ensure participation in all required events. These modifications will be reflected on our website shortly.

Overview of modifications:

We have designed a modified plan that would allow students to travel to lower-risk destinations and accounts for any restricted access due to COVID-19 protocols:
- We will still include three multi-day, out-of-country academic field studies. Due to increased security and limitations, each trip will be approximately five days.
- To account for the shorter multi-day trips, we will supplement with additional in-country day trips and site visits related to the program curriculum.
- While some academic site visit access is currently prohibited due to COVID-19 (i.e. students cannot visit the European Commission in Brussels nor attend their typical visits in Geneva), other visits can be modified (i.e. students can do an in-person group tour to the European Parliament) to ensure students still have a meaningful academic experience.
- We will remove Hungary, Greece, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland due to their current COVID-19 situation.
- Students will travel primarily to locations where IES Abroad already operates (Italy, France, Germany) should there be an emergency or any changes with entry/exit regulations.
- Students will still visit Brussels as it is home to many key EU institutions.
- IES Abroad will have quarantine hotel rooms available should any student become infected with COVID-19 while traveling.
- Program pricing will remain the same. Students will still have the same overall number of travel days and academic site visit opportunities throughout the semester.

IES Abroad Rabat
To remain in Morocco longer than 90 days, students in past terms have needed to leave the country to reset their visa—Rabat students typically have traveled to Spain. We are not certain it will be possible for students to do this next term, so we are reducing the program to under 90 days.

PLEASE NOTE: the Program Evaluation Date for this program is November 19, 2021

Overview of Modifications

The program length will be reduced to less than 90 days.
Because this program isn’t running this fall, we will still adhere to the November 19th Program Evaluation Date to ultimately decide if the program can run based upon travel restrictions, entry requirements, and program enrollments.

IES Abroad Siena
We are delighted to announce that both our programs offered in Siena will run in Spring 2022! In order to run both programs at the Siena Center and ensure the best possible academic experience for students, we have restructured the Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine and the Study in Tuscany Programs so that students can take courses across both programs. This modification is only for the Spring 2022 semester.

Overview of Modifications

A selection of courses from both programs will be available to all students. We will request course interest information from students at a later date.
We have aligned the dates of the two programs in order to allow cross-program course enrollment. The dates are January 17- May 7, 2022, and will be updated on our website shortly.
We have retained the credit loads for each program (15 credits/5 courses for Study in Tuscany and 12 credits/4 courses for Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine) with differentiation in cost according to the number of credits.
Offering the same field trips to all students.

PROGRAM SUSPENSIONS
The following programs have been suspended for Spring 2022. We will communicate these suspensions to the students who have applied to these programs directly.

IES Abroad Shanghai
Because U.S. students currently are not allowed into China and there is no estimated end to these restrictions, we have made the decision to suspend our Shanghai program for Spring 2022.

IES Abroad Cape Town
Due to the low vaccination rate for South Africa and that many departments at the University of Cape Town can only commit to hybrid (combination of in-person and online) or online course delivery, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the Cape Town program for Spring 2022.

HOMESTAY LOCATIONS FOR SPRING 2022
We are happy to announce that we will offer homestay housing placements at several of our centers in Spring 2022. These include Barcelona, Galápagos, Granada, Nantes, Quito, Rabat, and Santiago.

Thanks to the vaccination rates in these locations, the fact that we are requiring all our students and interns to be vaccinated, and the suitable supply of high-quality homestays in these locations, we feel we can offer homestays in Spring 2022.

SPRING 2022 PROGRAM FEES
Our Spring 2022 Program Fees have been posted to our website. You can find the Spring 2022 fees here. Individual program cost sheets can be found on the program’s webpage.

UPCOMING DEADLINES
We have several upcoming program application deadlines for Spring 2022. You can find them on our website.

TRAVEL & IMMIGRATION PAGE
We have updated our Travel & Immigration webpage. This page contains a chart that provides updates related to travel and immigration regulations including U.S. State Department Travel Warning levels. This information is updated regularly to the best of our knowledge based on a variety of sources, including consulates and embassies across the United States, information from our Centers abroad, and additional sources linked on the page.

You’ll notice that we updated the header titles for testing/quarantine to indicate whether they are required for vaccinated travelers. Since we are requiring all students to be vaccinated, this information is tailored to vaccinated travelers. Most countries have different requirements for unvaccinated travelers.

October 5, 2021

IES Abroad Vaccination Policy Update

This message below was sent to students on the following Spring 2022 programs:

Barcelona - Arts & Culture
Barcelona - Journalism & Communications
Barcelona - Liberal Arts & Business
Barcelona - Political Science & International Relations
Granada - Study in Granada
Madrid - Business, Economics & Social Sciences
Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
Madrid - Language & Area Studies

Dear IES Abroad Student,

We hope your fall is off to a great start and that your preparations for your Spring semester are going well! We are so excited to be on this journey with you as you get closer to studying abroad. We are reaching out to you today with an important update regarding our vaccination policy for the Spring 2022 term.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

For the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities in which our programs are located, starting with the Spring 2022 semester, we will require all IES Abroad students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. By requiring vaccination, it is not only much safer for everyone but also greatly improves the quality of your experience while abroad. In Fall 2021, our student vaccination rate was 99%. Please see our website for the full policy.

NEXT STEPS

Complete Your Application by the Deadline

If you have not yet completed your application, we recommend completing your remaining requirements as soon as possible! You can log into your MyIESabroad account to view any remaining application documents.

Confirm Your Place in the Program

If you’ve been accepted to your program, be sure to submit the Confirmation Form in your MyIESabroad account by the deadline listed in your account. Our refund policy for the spring allows you to withdraw up to 14 days before the start of the program without financial penalty, so we hope you feel confident to confirm now knowing you can change your mind for any reason later.

Keep Working on Your Visa

You may already be well on your way with the visa process, but if not, be sure to get started right away! For the majority of students, a study visa is required in order to study abroad. If you’re accepted into the program, you can view more information about the visa process in your MyIESabroad account in the Predeparture Information Guide in the Plan Travel section.

We are here to support you in the coming months as you prepare for your time abroad. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call or email us during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM Central Time, at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

October 5, 2021

IES Abroad Program Evaluation Date & Vaccination Policy Update

This message below was sent to students on the following Spring 2022 programs:

Berlin Spring Quarter - Business, Sustainability & Innovation
Buenos Aires - Advanced Spanish Immersion
Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
Dublin - Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Freiburg - European Union
Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago
Quito - Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Santiago - Health Studies
Santiago - Politics, Social Justice & Language
Santiago January Term - Health Studies

Dear IES Abroad Student,

We hope your fall is off to a great start! As you plan for studying abroad in the spring, we are writing to you with important updates about the Spring 2022 term.

PROGRAM EVALUATION DATE

A cross-departmental team at IES Abroad meets weekly to thoughtfully consider important criteria that keep you top of mind in every aspect of our programming. For our Spring 2022 term, IES Abroad has established Program Evaluation Dates for each program as a point in time to pause to review the feasibility of the program based upon travel restrictions, entry requirements, and program enrollments. The Program Evaluation Date for your IES Abroad program can be found on our Spring 2022 website HERE. We will communicate the decision regarding your program no later than the date listed, and we are making every effort, where possible, to communicate decisions sooner.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

For the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities in which our programs are located, starting with the Spring 2022 semester, we will require all IES Abroad students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. By requiring vaccination, it is not only much safer for everyone but also it greatly improves the quality of your experience while abroad. In Fall 2021, our student vaccination rate was 99%. Please see our website for the full policy.

NEXT STEPS

Complete Your Application by the Deadline

If you have not yet completed your application, we recommend completing your remaining requirements as soon as possible before the deadline.

Confirm Your Place in the Program

Be sure to keep an eye on your email inbox for future communications from us about your program. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call or email us during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM Central Time, at 800.995.2300 or [email protected].

Best wishes,

Your friends at IES Abroad

October 1, 2021

IES Abroad London – Important Health Update

A student associated with IES Abroad and living at The Stay Club in Kentish Town has tested positive for COVID-19 (confirmed with a PCR test). Please note the IES Abroad protocols, which are fully in line with current UK National Health Services requirements:

Student who tests positive for COVID-19 (with a confirmed PCR test): will be required to isolate for 10 days, from the time they first started experiencing symptoms.

Roommate of a Student who has tested positive for COVID-19: will be required to take a PCR test and isolate for 10 days from the time the positive roommate first started experiencing symptoms; which in this case is Tuesday September 28th.

Recent and close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19 i.e., has been in the presence of the individual for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period: will be required to take a PCR test and isolate for 10 days, from the time the positive person first started experiencing symptoms, which in this case is Tuesday September 28th. Please note that we will contact students directly if they are in this category. If they have not heard from us, they remain unaffected.

Roommates of a close contact of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19: are not required to isolate. However, isolation will be requested if their roommate develops significant COVID-19 symptoms.

For students in the last three categories, we ask that they also conduct regular rapid antigen tests and let us know if they receive a positive result. If they have used all the testing kits given upon arrival, they can easily pick up more at any pharmacy. Our objective is to limit the spread of any further breakthrough cases in our community and in London.

Please note that we will soon be reaching out to all affected students to reiterate the ways in which we will be helping and supporting them. If they are isolating, we will contact them with information on how to access classes through Big Blue Button.

Please also note that our policies and protocols may change in the future, based on the ever-evolving requirements as announced by the UK Government. We will, of course, always reaffirm and clarify those protocols with each case. The health and well-being of our students is our top priority.

September 29, 2021

IES Abroad Spring 2022 Updates

We have several important updates for Spring 2022. Our cross-departmental team continues to meet weekly and, as things change, to thoughtfully consider important criteria and protocols that keep students top of mind in every aspect of our programming. This update includes information about the following:

New Vaccination Policy
New Approach to Program Evaluation Dates
Visa ACCeSS for Spain and Italy
“Study Abroad in Spring 2022” Webpage
Application Deadlines
Passport Processing Times
Fall 2021 Program Fees & Costs
Travel & Immigration Webpage

Vaccination Requirement
For the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities in which our programs are located, starting with Spring 2022 semester, we will require all IES Abroad students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Students will be able to request an exemption from our vaccination requirement for documented medical or religious reasons.

By requiring a vaccine, it is not only much safer everyone but also it greatly improves the quality of our students’ study abroad and internship experiences while abroad. In Fall 2021, our student vaccination rate was 99%. See the full policy.

Program Evaluation Dates Process
In order minimize the number of emails you receive from us, for the upcoming spring term we have changed our approach to announcing whether a program is running or not. A few specifics:

We will continue using Program Evaluation Dates to determine if a program is running but will only announce if a program will not run.
At this point, any programs that are currently running for Fall 2021 will be running in Spring 2022.
For programs that are not currently running this fall, we will announce their status on or before the Program Evaluation Date (please see the full list at the end of this message).
We will be communicating this information with students, and we will update this information on our Spring 2022 webpage..

As always, we will continue to monitor travel regulations and conditions on the ground as we prepare for the spring term.

Visa ACCeSS Program for Spain and Italy
Because we are finding individual appointments are VERY limited for Spanish and Italian consulates, we recommend more than ever that eligible students participate in our Visa ACCeSS program.

Learn more about qualifying for ACCeSS and upcoming deadlines.

Please note our deadline for the Chicago Spanish Consulate is October 1, 2021.

Study Abroad in 2022 Webpage
We have updated our Spring 2022 Webpage. The page has links to important information specific to the upcoming spring term. This is where you can find updates on program status, health and safety protocols, refund policy, and more.

Spring 2022 Application Deadlines
We have modified some of our Spring 2022 application and confirmation deadlines, taking into consideration any visa processing and when students will begin to incur costs.

The full list of up-to-date deadlines can be found on our deadlines page. Please note our early Spain program deadline of September 30th.

Passport Processing Time
We continue to find passport processing time is longer than in the past and are proactively advising prospective students and applicants as such so they can plan accordingly.

Spring 2022 Program Fees & Costs
We anticipate our Spring 2022 Program Fees & Costs will be posted to our website in early October. We will send an email update when they are posted.

Program Status & Evaluation List to Date:

Programs we have already announced are running:

Barcelona - Arts & Culture
Barcelona - Full-Time Semester Internship
Barcelona - Journalism & Communications
Barcelona - Liberal Arts & Business
Barcelona - Political Science & International Relations
Granada - Study in Granada
Madrid - Business, Economics & Social Sciences
Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
Madrid - Language & Area Studies
Salamanca - Language & Area Studies
Salamanca – Psychology

Programs that are not going to be re-evaluated because they are running for fall (outside of the ones that have already been communicated):

Amsterdam - Business & Economics
Amsterdam - Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Amsterdam - Law & Criminology
Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences
Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
Berlin - Language & Area Studies
Berlin - Metropolitan & Urban Studies
Berlin - Security Studies & International Affairs
Dublin - Dublin City University
Dublin - Full-Time Semester Internship
Dublin - Irish Studies
Dublin - Trinity College Dublin
Dublin - Writers Program
Dublin Direct Enrollment - University College Dublin
Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
Galapagos Islands - GAIAS
Galapagos Islands January Term - Marine Ecosystems
London - City University
London - Full-Time Semester Internship
London - Health Practice & Policy
London - Queen Mary
London - Study London
London - Theater Studies
London - University College London
Milan - Business Studies
Milan - Fashion Design & Merchandising
Milan - Full-Time Semester Internship
Milan - Italy Today
Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental
Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
Nice - Business, Sustainability & Immigration
Nice - SKEMA Business School
Oxford - St. Catherine's College
Paris - Business & International Affairs
Paris - French Studies
Rome - Art History & Fashion
Rome - Early Childhood Education
Rome - Film & Media Studies
Rome - Full-Time Semester Internship
Rome - History & Classics
Rome - International Relations
Rome - Language & Area Studies
Rome - Sociology & Religion
Salamanca - Language & Area Studies
Salamanca - Psychology
Vienna - Business, Economics & International Relations
Vienna - European Society & Culture
Vienna - Music
Vienna - Psychology & Social Sciences
Virtual Internship

Programs that will be evaluated:

Amsterdam Spring Quarter - Psychology, Sociology & Political Science (12/17)
Berlin Spring Quarter - Business, Sustainability & Innovation (12/17)
Buenos Aires - Advanced Spanish Immersion (11/19)
Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures (11/19)
Cape Town - Health, Culture & Development (10/8)
Cape Town - University of Cape Town (10/8)
Dublin - Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology (11/12)
Freiburg - European Union (11/19)
Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago (11/12)
Quito - Area Studies & Language (10/15)
Quito - Universidad San Francisco de Quito (10/15)
Rabat - Study in Rabat (11/19)
Santiago - Health Studies (11/12)
Santiago - Politics, Social Justice & Language (11/12)
Santiago January Term - Health Studies (11/12)
Shanghai - Economy, Business & Society (11/12)
Shanghai - Engineering (11/12)
Siena - Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine (10/8)
Siena - Study in Tuscany (10/8)
Tokyo - Language & Culture (10/15)

Programs that have already been suspended:

Auckland - University of Auckland
Christchurch - University of Canterbury
Nagoya - Nanzan University
Sydney - Macquarie University
Sydney - University of New South Wales
Sydney - University of Sydney

September 15, 2021

IES Abroad Madrid – Important Health Update

We had several members of our student community in Madrid who have tested positive for COVID-19. These students are in the Engineering and the Business & Economics Programs who take courses at Universidad Carlos III, and on our Leganés campus.

We have asked those students to quarantine and to help with contact tracing efforts. We also are asking their contacts who are part of the IES Abroad community to quarantine as well and to be tested for COVID-19. Please note that quarantines are mandated by Spanish law and by IES Abroad policy in these circumstances. Failing to maintain quarantine is a violation of Spanish law, and breaching quarantine requirements can carry serious consequences. At IES Abroad, failing to maintain quarantine and/or violating IES Abroad COVID-19 policies and protocols can result in student disciplinary hearing.

For our community, this is a reminder to follow all IES Abroad COVID requirements, staff recommendations, and comply with COVID-19 related governmental requirements in Spain. This will help keep students and others healthy while in Spain.

As members of our community, students are asked to monitor themselves daily for any symptoms of COVID-19, which may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 or need medical attention, they should contact IES Abroad staff for assistance and instructions about how to be tested.

For students in the IES Abroad Language & Area Studies program, courses will continue as scheduled and planned.

For the students in the Engineering or Business & Economics Programs, starting tomorrow courses will be held online for the remainder of this week and the following week. At Universidad Carlos III, their policy is to offer online class delivery options whenever three or more students test positive in one section. So far, this only affects one section at Carlos III, but several IES Abroad taught courses. Carlos III faculty will work with IES Abroad staff and individual students who must quarantine even though their class sections may continue in person. Tutoring will be provided to help with the courses, and Carlos III will be contacted by IES Abroad so students will not be penalized for missing classes in person during this period due to COVID-19 or having to quarantine. We do not want students to fall behind academically, and we will make every effort to help them keep up with their academic work.

Your health and safety are our highest priorities. For students who do not have COVID-19 and are not a close contact of someone with COVID-19, they can go about your days as usual. We do ask, though, that they remain cautious and follow the IES Abroad and Spanish COVID-19 prevention protocols.

August 31, 2021

Important Italy Entry Requirement Update

Italy changed its entry requirements effective, today, August 31st by adding a required negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen) for all travelers arriving from the United States. With this addition, Italy is now requiring both the negative test result and proof of vaccination or certificate of recovery from COVID-19 in order to avoid quarantine upon arrival.

This change took place while several students were en route to Milan yesterday. We are in communication with these students and a few who have been delayed by testing will be met by our Center staff upon arrival. We have emailed delayed students directly.

Additionally, our Fall 2021 Rome students leave Sunday for their arrival Monday, September 7th. We have sent a message to these students today to inform them of this new requirement so that they can meet the requirements for their departure, with the information below.

In order to be exempted from quarantine upon arrival in Italy, travelers are now required to present to the carrier upon boarding a PCR or antigenic test with a negative result carried out in the 72 hours prior to entrance in Italy. While some airlines may accept digital results, we recommend that students print out a paper copy of their test results, as well.

In addition to said negative PCR or antigenic test, travelers must also present a certificate of vaccination or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19.

This means that students will need to provide both a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of your entrance into Italy and your original proof of vaccination certificate, the white CDC card, in order to enter Italy without quarantine. If they are arriving on Monday, we suggest they get the required COVID test on Friday. We encourage them to verify their entry requirements with their airline prior to departure, as well.

We understand that this may require students to move quickly and get tested this week prior to departure this upcoming weekend. We are working closely with our staff on the ground in Rome to stay up to date with Italy’s entry requirements and will continue to keep students and parents updated with any developments.

July 29, 2021

IES Abroad France Health Pass Update

We wanted to share an important update related to COVID-19 in France, as this may impact students’ summer and fall plans, if they are not already fully vaccinated.

Currently, France is implementing use of a health pass (pass sanitaire) to go to café terraces, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, libraries, other venues, as well as travel between cities. To obtain a health pass, students will need to:

Be fully vaccinated, and provide documentation of vaccination
Have been PCR or antigen tested (valid for 48 hours)
Or provide medical documentation of recovery/proof of antibodies

This ruling dramatically impacts the lives of students who are not vaccinated. Unvaccinated students will need to undergo regular testing in order to comply with the law and participate in the above activities. Presently, PCR tests in France cost 49 Euros and antigen tests are 29 Euros and are subject to change. Use of the health pass is legally in effect until July 2022 and will likely affect multiple countries throughout the European Union.

Given the nature of the pandemic, what life looks like in France may change over time. Closer to the start of the program, during the second live predeparture orientation session, we will share updated information with students regarding daily life in France. However, given that obtaining a two-dose vaccine can take up to 6 weeks for full efficacy, we want to provide this information. If students are not already vaccinated, we strongly urge students to do so now for their own health and the health of the people around them. If they are already fully vaccinated, they should be sure to bring their documentation with them to France as our staff there will assist them obtaining the health pass.

Please note that students will not be able to receive a vaccine while in France.

Additionally, masks covering both nose and mouth will be required in indoor public spaces, including all education institutions such as at the IES Abroad Centers, public transportation, and outdoor places where social distancing is not possible (i.e. queues, open-air markets, railway stations, etc.)

If you have questions, please contact the IES Abroad Program Advisor at [email protected].

July 28, 2021

IES Abroad New Zealand Program Update

We have been notified by the University of Auckland that due to ongoing entry restrictions to New Zealand, they will not be enrolling study abroad students on their campus in Spring 2022. As a result, we must suspend the IES Abroad Spring 2022 Direct Enrollment University of Auckland/University of Canterbury Program. We share in the disappointment that it will not be possible to study in Auckland for the Spring semester. We know students have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program.

We are still hard at work preparing for and evaluating our program offerings for the Spring 2022 term. As an alternative to studying in New Zealand this spring, we invite students to consider another IES Abroad for Spring 2022. Currently, we expect our Fall 2022 University of Auckland program to run as planned.

Students will receive a notification soon that we’ve cancelled their application for Spring 2022. If they decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. Find more information about our Spring 2022 refund policy. If students are interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Spring 2022 or a future term, they can complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update their application. Students should consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

We know this is a challenging time and that this news is really disappointing, and we hope we can work together to make studying abroad a reality for all students in the near future. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] to reach a Program Advisor with any questions.

July 28, 2021

IES Abroad Spain Programs Update for Fall 2021

We have heard from a few students with questions about IES Abroad’s plans for our fall term programs in Spain since the State Department raised their travel advisory for Spain to Level 4 on Monday, July 26th.

All systems are still “go” for our Fall 2021 programs in Spain in-person (including IES Abroad classes), but we will be prepared to adapt if the conditions on the ground require that we do so. We will continue to monitor the situation per our health and safety guidelines, as well as all the other resources we use to track on-the-ground and travel conditions. Special note for students on our Madrid – Engineering, Math, and Science program—nothing has changed at our university partner, Universidad Carlos III Madrid (UC3M). They still intend to offer most of their instruction in-person.

In the State Department’s notice they stated, “Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine.” We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated now if you haven’t already done so for your health, as well as for the health of those around you.

We currently have students on our summer program in Barcelona, Spain, taking classes in person. Our summer program has been a success and has provided our students the opportunity to have a productive (and fun!) study abroad experience.

Our focus is on the health, safety, and security of our students and staff in each country, based upon current conditions in locations where we send students. We take a nuanced approach to decision-making, drawing from science, data, and conditions on the ground—supporting our students and schools is a vital part of our mission.

Should anything change, we will be in touch with students.

July 22, 2021

IES Abroad London Programs Update for Fall 2021

We have heard from a few students with questions about IES Abroad’s plans for our fall term programs in London since the State Department raised their travel advisory for the United Kingdom to Level 4 a few days ago.

IES Abroad still plans to offer our Fall 2021 programs in London in person (including IES Abroad classes), but we will be prepared to shift to a virtual, online option if conditions require that we do so. We will continue to monitor the situation per our health and safety guidelines, as well as all the other resources we use to track on-the-ground and travel conditions. We will be consulting with our London university partners about their plans for in-person classes, as well.

We currently have students on our summer program in London taking classes in person. Our summer program has been a success and has provided our students the opportunity to have a productive (and fun!) study abroad experience.

Should anything change, we will be in touch with you. Please feel free to reach out to your Program Advisor to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.

July 2, 2021

IES Abroad Fall 2021 Updated Travel Policy

We have been closely monitoring travel regulations and circumstances abroad. Based on improving conditions in the locations of most of our centers, we are updating our international travel policy for vaccinated students for Fall 2021.

Overall, we strongly discourage vaccinated students traveling independently outside of their program host country during their program. We still see international travel, once students are onsite, as risky for the reasons outlined below. Travel outside the host country for unvaccinated students is not permitted and may result in disciplinary action.

For some destinations, currently the UK and Ecuador, international travel remains impossible, due to quarantine restrictions and local considerations. It is students’ responsibility to know and follow their country’s travel restrictions throughout the duration of their program.

Below is our updated international travel policy as well as our Early Arrival and Pre-Program Travel policy which has been previously shared with you.

Fall 21 International Travel Policy

Any IES Abroad sponsored travel will only occur in the program host country if appropriate social distancing can be provided and applicable health regulations, requirements and concerns can be met for all participants.
IES Abroad vaccinated students are strongly discouraged from traveling outside their program host country as travel restrictions and criteria for reentry can change at any time without notice.
Travel outside the host country for unvaccinated students is not permitted and may result in disciplinary action.
IES Abroad can supply no financial or other support during independent travel
Vaccinated students who choose to travel independently must be in compliance with host country regulations and the regulations of the location(s) to which they travel.
It is the student’s responsibility to understand their host country’s criteria for traveling across borders, as well as the country of travel’s requirements.
Students will be required to cover all costs related to independent travel and of being detained, quarantined, or delayed while on independent travel, or if they are denied entry into their host country or required to quarantine.
Students will be subject to IES Abroad’s class attendance policy as outlined in the Student Handbook. Unintended delays or quarantine due to independent travel will not be excused.
Any independent travel must be entered in advance by the student in the IES Abroad TripTracker platform. This system allows IES Abroad staff to locate a student swiftly in the event of a crisis or emergency where the student is traveling.
We will update the policy in the future as required by conditions on the ground.

Early Arrival and Pre-Program Travel

Early arrival and pre-program international travel are strongly discouraged. Students should plan travel to arrive on the program Arrival Date as outlined in their arrival instructions. Students who travel before the program arrival date do so at their own risk and with the knowledge that travel, and border restrictions may change at any time and without notice, possibly causing delays and the need for quarantine.

It is the student’s responsibility to understand their host country’s criteria for entry when traveling before their program. Students who arrive early to their program location are required to find their own housing at their own cost and cannot move into IES Abroad housing early. Where quarantine is required due to early arrival or pre-program international travel, students may be prohibited from moving into IES Abroad housing on the arrival date and may not move into IES Abroad housing until any quarantine requirements have been met. No IES Abroad housing fees will be refunded, and time spent in independently booked accommodations will be fully at the student’s expense. Students would be required to cover any costs related to being detained if denied entry into their program country due to early arrival or pre-program international travel.

June 8, 2021

IES Abroad Update: Vaccinations & State Department Advisories

The message below was sent to Fall 2021 students, parents, and school partners. It contains reminders regarding our vaccination and travel philosophy, but all of this information can be find on our Study Abroad in 2021 page and in previous messaging.

Dear Fall 2021 IES Abroad Student,

We hope you are as excited about studying abroad this fall as we are to welcome you!

You are receiving this email because you have applied to one of our Fall 2021 programs and we would like to update you on a few things that we think might be on your mind.

Vaccinations

Now that everyone over the age of 12 is eligible to receive a vaccination in the U.S., the vaccination rate for college-age students has been quicker than we expected. This is encouraging news, especially as a number of the countries where we operate, including places like the European Union and several other European countries have said they will welcome vaccinated U.S. citizens this summer.

Based on this news and our extensive consideration of science, data, and conditions on the ground, IES Abroad strongly encourages, that students participating in our study and intern abroad programs be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of their program. Please be aware of the following considerations regarding vaccinations:

It is likely some countries may require proof of vaccination in order to gain entry.
Students who are not vaccinated may be subject to mandatory isolated quarantine for an extended period of time in a location not of their choosing.
Students who are vaccinated will likely have greater freedom of movement and access to events and locations while abroad.
Some host institutions abroad (our university partners abroad), may require proof of vaccination for enrollment in their courses.
Students should get vaccinated to protect themselves not only against Covid-19, but also against the possibility of last-minute travel restrictions imposed by foreign governments.
Some airlines or countries may require a negative COVID-19 test for travel, but are considering waiving that requirement if a student can show proof of vaccination.
Unvaccinated students place their own health at risk, as well as the health of their fellow students, faculty, staff, and the people with whom they live.
Some US colleges and universities have vaccination requirements for study abroad. Please familiarize yourself with your home school’s vaccination policy for study abroad.

IES Abroad recommends that students who are vaccinated carry written or digital proof of vaccination when traveling abroad. It also remains to be seen whether vaccination “passport” apps will be available and/or required by host countries or airlines. We will keep you updated on what we are hearing.

US State Department Travel Advisories

Recently, the U.S. State Department raised its Travel Advisory levels for Americans for roughly 80% of the countries around the world to Level 4 (the highest level). Per the State Department, this “does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments.”

After much consideration, discussion, and consultation with our Crisis Management Team (along with expert advice from our staff around the world and from health and safety resources), IES Abroad has decided to take a nuanced approach to these updates. Generally, the State Department changes its travel advisories based upon safety and security in each country, while the CDC is focused on health conditions in each country. In this case, the CDC has not changed its (health conditions) advisory levels, which have been in place for quite some time.

Our focus is on the health, safety, and security of our students and staff in each country, based upon current conditions in locations where we send students. Therefore, based upon extensive research regarding the current conditions at this time, we are continuing to plan for and evaluate our Fall 2021 programs.

COVID-19 has caused all of us to make changes not only in our daily lives, but it has also prompted IES Abroad to continue to hone our long-standing extensive health and safety protocols as this situation continues to unfold. However, one thread of the conversation is always consistent across all of these discussions: we put the health and safety of our students and staff first. The health and safety of our students, as well as that of our on-site staff and faculty is of paramount importance.

By taking this nuanced approach and driving decision-making with science, data, and conditions on the ground, we are not only putting students first but also helping you make the best decisions for yourself—in consultation with you families and your home schools— based upon current conditions in the city where you have applied to study with IES Abroad.

In addition to the normal preparations that would be taking place during this time, confirmed students will also be invited to our new online predeparture orientation designed to prepare students for the new (and normal) on-site realities of study abroad before they depart. Extensive on-the-ground checklists, preparations, and contingency planning has already been underway on-site for months in support of the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty on-site.

We will continue to closely monitor and regularly discuss on-the-ground conditions, while closely communicating with you, your families, and your home schools about our path to sending students abroad again in the Fall.

You can find up-to-date information such as Travel and Immigration, Health & Safety Policies, and COVID-19 updates that we’re posting on our website, as well as up-to-date program-specific information for our Fall 2021 program offerings.

While we are doing everything in our power to help make study abroad a reality this fall, please know that the details for 2021 study abroad can change at any time, whether that be in response to travel regulations, a change in your university's decisions, or another one of the moving pieces. We advise you to have a backup plan to study abroad and familiarize yourself with your home college/university policies and procedures in this unique time.

We are monitoring the rapidly evolving developments on these issues very closely. While we know that uncertainty can be uncomfortable, we hope you choose to give yourself the chance of going abroad and rest assured we'll be in communication throughout this process and will always keep your best interest at heart.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact an advisor via email at [email protected] or call 800-995-2300.

June 1, 2021

IES Abroad Nantes Housing Update

We are thrilled that we will be able to offer the homestay housing option to vaccinated students in Nantes in the Fall 2021 term! Homestays are an integral element of the program and our homestay families have been asking our Nantes staff about you and cannot wait to welcome IES Abroad students again.

Vaccinated students will have the following housing options:

· Homestay – with hosts who will also be vaccinated

· This option includes a partial meal plan of 12 meals per week

· Single housing in a short stay apartment style building. This option is intended to limit risk of exposure to Covid-19 for students who are unvaccinated

Unvaccinated students will only have the option of Single housing in a short stay apartment style building.

Housing forms will be available in students' myIESabroad accounts soon.

June 1, 2021

Important Fall 2021 Berlin & Freiburg Program Update

A program-specific version of the message below was sent to students and shared with parents and school partners regarding the running of the following Fall 2021 Berlin and Freiburg programs:

Berlin - Language & Area Studies
Berlin - Metropolitan & Urban Studies
Berlin - Security Studies & International Affairs
Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Freiburg - Language & Area Studies

IES Abroad has been monitoring the situation in Germany and we are happy to let you know that we have made the decision to run this program! We hope you’re as excited as we are.

Students’ health and safety is always our number one priority, and our decision to run the program is based upon current conditions in locations where we send students. Several weeks ago, the State Department made updates to their Travel Advisories, elevating countries in Europe and much of the world to a Level 4. The State Department explained that this change was an effort to align their travel advisory levels with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and was not prompted by worsening conditions in these countries. With input from our on-site staff in Germany, IES Abroad has determined that current conditions support the running of our program.

Please read this email thoroughly for important information about how we will proceed and your next steps.

Next Steps

Confirming Your Place in the Program

If you have not yet confirmed your place in your IES Abroad program, you’ll need to submit the Confirmation Form in your MyIESabroad account as soon as possible. Our refund policy for the fall, which allows you to withdraw up to 14 days before the start of the program without financial penalty, can help you feel confident to confirm knowing you can change your mind for any reason.

Arranging Travel

We will provide you with important information about planning and arranging your travel soon. For now, we recommend that you wait to book your flights until you’ve received further details from us. Please know that IES Abroad will not reimburse students for any money expended on travel arrangements should this program need to be suspended at a later date.

Our Evaluation Process & Future Decisions

We will continue to closely monitor travel warnings and student mobility options to ensure we make informed decisions with you in mind. While we are making plans to offer this program, it’s important for you to know that conditions could change that may result in suspension of the program. Specifically, we would make the decision to suspend this program if border closures prevent students from entering the country, or if conditions on-site related to COVID-19 worsen significantly. Program details may change in response to these travel regulations, a change in your university’s decisions, or any other factor. We will keep you apprised of any updates throughout the coming months.

While You’re Abroad

There are important considerations we want to make sure you’re aware of as you continue to make plans for the fall.

Changes can happen at any time, for any reason. You know the drill – this pandemic has shown us that anything can happen! If you’re committed to studying abroad this fall, we’ll need you to be flexible in adapting to any required changes that come up (think classes going online, needing to quarantine, etc.). Rest assured we will stay in close communication with you, both leading up to your program and after you arrive, if things change.
Travel while abroad will be limited. IES Abroad’s independent travel policy for the fall allows students to travel within your host country only. While we know this may feel restrictive, this policy is in place because of the complicated and ever-changing nature of each country’s border restrictions and quarantine requirements. We hope you’ll consider this an opportunity to get to know Germany better – there’s so much the city has to offer!
You’ll need to comply with all in-country, airline, and IES Abroad protocols. While regulations continue to change, you should anticipate that you’ll be asked to comply with various protocols to facilitate your study abroad experience. These could include regular testing, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test when traveling, abiding by local curfews or other movement restrictions on-site, and agreeing to any other requests from IES Abroad or local or national governments. These are all designed to ensure your health and safety, and it’s important that you respect these both for yourself and for other students, faculty, and staff.
You may be one of a small cohort of students on the program. We know that studying abroad right now may not be the right decision for everyone. As such, we’re anticipating that there may be a small group of students enrolled for the fall at some of our locations. We are committed to making this a great experience for you, and we’ll be in touch closer to the start of the program to give you a better sense of what your program’s cohort will look like.

We hope you choose to give yourself the chance of going abroad, even though we know there's still uncertainty about the fall. Please let us know if you have questions as you make plans for how to proceed. If you’ve changed your mind and no longer wish to move forward with your program for the fall, please let us know and we can discuss your options for deferring your application to another term or cancelling your enrollment. You can call or email us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and your advisor will be here to help!

May 28, 2021

IES Abroad London Theater Program Update

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Fall 2021 London – Theater Studies program.

Due to low program enrollment, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Fall 2021 London – Theater Studies program. We share in your disappointment that we are unable to offer this program for the upcoming semester. We know that students have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that the program will not be running.

While the official Theater Studies program is not running as a stand-alone program this fall, we have reviewed students’ course interest surveys, and can accommodate the majority of their preferred courses in our Study London program. We will contact them next week to discuss details. We invite them to switch their enrollment to the Study London program now, or wait until we communicate next week with more details about your options.

They also can consider another IES Abroad program for Fall 2021, or defer their application to a future term. Currently, we expect our Spring 2022 London – Theater Studies program to run as planned.

We will be reaching out to students next week with more information about course options in London for the Fall term. However, if they’ve decided that right now is not the best time to study abroad, they can let us know and we can cancel their enrollment. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will be refunded. You can find more information about our Fall 2021 refund policy on our website.

If they’re interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Fall 2021 or a future term, please complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update your application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

We know this is a challenging time and that this news is disappointing, but we are hopeful that we can accommodate some of students’ course needs in London this fall. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

May 28, 2021

Important Fall 2021 Santiago Program Update

Due to ongoing entry restrictions to Chile, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Fall 2021 Santiago - Health Studies and Santiago - Politics, Social Jusstice & Language programs. We share in your disappointment that it will not be possible to study in Santiago for the upcoming semester. We know students have put a great deal of thought into your program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program.

We are still hard at work preparing for and evaluating our final program offerings for the Fall 2021 term. At this time, we have suspended a handful of programs, but we are planning to offer some of our programs this fall. As an alternative to studying in Santiago this fall, we invite students to consider another IES Abroad program for Fall 2021. Currently, we expect our Spring 2022 Santiago program to run as planned.

Students will receive a notification soon that we’ve cancelled their application for Fall 2021. If they decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. If students have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. You can find more information about our Fall 2021 refund policy on our website. If students are interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Fall 2021 or a future term, they can complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update their application. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

We know this is a challenging time and that this news is really disappointing, and we hope we can work together to make studying abroad a reality in the near future. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

May 28, 2021

Important Fall 2021 Dublin & London Program Update

A program-specific version of the message below was sent to students and shared with parents and school partners regarding the running of the following Fall 2021 programs:

Dublin Direct Enrollment - Trinity College Dublin
Dublin Direct Enrollment - National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting
Dublin Direct Enrollment - University College Dublin
London - City, University of London
London - Full-Time Semester Internship
London - Health Practice & Policy
London - Queen Mary, University of London
London - St. Catherine's College, Oxford University
London - Study London
London - University College London

IES Abroad has been monitoring the situation in London and Dublin and we are happy to let you know that we have made the decision to run your program! We hope you’re as excited as we are.

Students’ health and safety is always our number one priority, and our decision to run the program is based upon current conditions in locations where we send students. The State Department continues to make updates to their Travel Advisories by country, and the UK and Ireland are currently a Level 3. The State Department has been working in recent weeks to align their travel advisory levels with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With input from our on-site staff in Dublin and London, IES Abroad has determined that current conditions support the running of our program.

Please read this message thoroughly for important information about how we will proceed and your next steps.

Next Steps

Confirming Your Place in the Program

If you have not yet confirmed your place in your IES Abroad program, submit the Confirmation Form in your MyIESabroad account as soon as possible. Our refund policy for the fall, which allows you to withdraw up to 14 days before the start of the program without financial penalty, can help you feel confident to confirm knowing you can change your mind for any reason.

Arranging Travel

Our Evaluation Process & Future Decisions

While You’re Abroad

There are important considerations we want to make sure you’re aware of as you continue to make plans for the fall.

Changes can happen at any time, for any reason. You know the drill – this pandemic has shown us that anything can happen! If you’re committed to studying abroad this fall, we’ll need you to be flexible in adapting to any required changes that come up (think classes going online, needing to quarantine, etc.). Rest assured we will stay in close communication with you, both leading up to your program and after you arrive, if things change.
Travel while abroad will be limited. IES Abroad’s independent travel policy for the fall allows students to travel within your host country only. While we know this may feel restrictive, this policy is in place because of the complicated and ever-changing nature of each country’s border restrictions and quarantine requirements. We hope you’ll consider this an opportunity to get to know Dublin better – there’s so much the city has to offer!
You’ll need to comply with all in-country, airline, and IES Abroad protocols. While regulations continue to change, you should anticipate that you’ll be asked to comply with various protocols to facilitate your study abroad experience. These could include regular testing, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test when traveling, abiding by local curfews or other movement restrictions on-site, and agreeing to any other requests from IES Abroad or local or national governments. These are all designed to ensure your health and safety, and it’s important that you respect these both for yourself and for other students, faculty, and staff.
You may be one of a small cohort of students on the program. We know that studying abroad right now may not be the right decision for everyone. As such, we’re anticipating that there may be a small group of students enrolled for the fall at some of our locations. We are committed to making this a great experience for you, and we’ll be in touch closer to the start of the program to give you a better sense of what your program’s cohort will look like.

May 20, 2021

IES Abroad Fall 2021 Nagoya Direct Enrollment Program Update

Due to ongoing entry restrictions to Japan, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Fall 2021 Nagoya Direct Enrollment – Nanzan University Program. We share in the disappointment that it will not be possible to study in Nagoya for the upcoming semester. We know students have put a great deal of thought into their program choice, and we are sorry that we will be unable to offer the program.

We are still hard at work preparing for and evaluating our final program offerings for the Fall 2021 term. At this time, we have suspended a handful of programs, but we are planning to offer some of our programs this fall. As an alternative to studying in Nagoya this fall, we invite students to consider another IES Abroad program for Fall 2021. Currently, we expect our Spring 2022 Nagoya program to run as planned.

Students will receive a notification soon that we’ve cancelled their application for Fall 2021. If they decide that right now they don’t plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. Find more information about our Fall 2021 refund policy. If students are interested in another program with IES Abroad, either for Fall 2021 or a future term, they complete this form or email us at [email protected] and we will update their application. We recommend students consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about program applications or enrollment.

We know this is a challenging time and that this news is disappointing, and we hope we can work together to make studying abroad a reality for these students in the near future. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected]rg and a Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

May 13, 2021

IES Abroad Fall 2021 Program Updates

We are excited to share with you the next wave of Fall 2021 IES Abroad programs that have been deemed viable to run based on their enrollment, on-the-ground conditions, travel regulations, and the most recent health and safety intel.

We were also able to make decisions to run several programs before their official evaluation date! We hope this will help you with planning for fall.

We have decided to run the following programs for Fall 2021:

AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam – Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

DUBLIN

Dublin - Full-Time Semester Internship
Dublin - National Theatre School of Ireland - Gaiety School of Acting
Dublin - Irish Studies
Dublin - Trinity College Dublin
Dublin Direct Enrollment - University College Dublin
Dublin - Writers Program

MILAN

Milan - Business Studies
Milan - Fashion Design & Merchandising
Milan - Full-Time Semester Internship
Milan - Italy Today
Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental

NANTES

Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
NICE
Nice - Business, Sustainability & Immigration
Nice - SKEMA Business School

PARIS

Paris - French Studies
Paris - Business & International Affairs

ROME

Rome - Art History & Fashion
Rome - Early Childhood Education
Rome - Film & Media Studies
Rome - Full-Time Semester Internship
Rome - History & Classics
Rome - International Relations
Rome - Language & Area Studies

VIENNA

Vienna - Business, Economics & International Relations
Vienna - European Society & Culture
Vienna – Music
Vienna - Psychology & Social Sciences

View current list of programs running for Fall 2021

Fall 2021 Suspensions

We have decided to suspend the Dublin - Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology due to low enrollment. View current list of all suspended programs for Fall 2021.

Next Steps

We will be communicating these updates with applicants and their families for the above programs by the end of this week with the exception of the Dublin - National Theatre School of Ireland - Gaiety School of Acting and Dublin - Trinity College Dublin programs, for which we will share specific messages with those applicants on May 17th.

We will continue to closely monitor and regularly discuss on-the-ground conditions, while closely communicating with you, your students and their families regarding programs on or before their evaluation dates.

The excitement of our staff worldwide grows as we all inch closer to welcoming students this summer and fall.

April 30, 2021

IES Abroad Fall 2021 Program Update

As a reminder, discussions are ongoing to evaluate program enrollment, on-the-ground-conditions, and travel regulations in order to make these decisions. These decisions are being made on a rolling basis using Program Evaluation Dates that coincide with important information and dates during the predeparture process, in order to maximize the opportunity for running programs while also using the most recent health, safety, and travel intel to assess viability.

Using this criteria, information, and data, we have decided the following:

We will run our Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS program with the following modifications:

Require proof of vaccination – Due to its remote location, access to more advanced medical care on the mainland is potentially challenging for students in the Galápagos Islands.
In addition, the Ecuadorian government is prioritizing vaccination for the entire Galápagos population to revive tourism and is conducting extra COVID-related screenings to enter the islands. Because of this we anticipate that a vaccination requirement could be a reality for travelers to the islands in the near future.
Housing locations will be determined later, but likely will not be homestays.
The program will begin in the Galápagos rather than Quito, and the program will either take place entirely in the Galápagos or will conclude with the final module in Quito. This decision will be based on the current state of COVID-19 on the mainland at the end of the fall term and the ability of our students to get an exception to the 90-day regulation. We will keep everyone posted.
At least two academic tracks are planned, but we cannot guarantee that all academic options will available.
View current list of programs running for Fall 2021

Fall 2021 Suspensions
We have decided to suspend the following programs for Fall 2021 for the reasons noted for each:

Quito (suspended due to low enrollments and USFQ campus will be only online for the fall)
- Area Studies & Language
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Shanghai (suspended for U.S. students only* due to low enrollments as well as inability of U.S. citizens to currently apply for a visa or enter China)
- Economy, Business & Society
- Engineering
Siena (suspended due to low enrollments)
- Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine
- Study in Tuscany
View current list of suspended programs for Fall 2021

*Our Shanghai Programs for Chinese students will remain open. The application deadline is June 23, 2021.

We will continue to closely monitor and regularly discuss on-the-ground conditions, while closely communicating with schools, students, and their families regarding programs on or before their evaluation dates.

The highs and lows of these messages are not lost on us—while it is great to report that programs will run this fall, it is difficult to suspend any programs. We realize how much work schools and students put into finding the right fit and we are available to discuss program options with anyone, anytime.

We thank you for your trust and ongoing partnership as we re-embark on sending students abroad.

April 23, 2021

IES Abroad Summer 2021 Programs Update

Earlier this week the U.S. State Department raised its Travel Advisory levels for Americans to roughly 80% of the countries around the world to level 4 (the highest level). Per the State Department, this “does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments.”

As you may know, generally, the State Department changes its travel advisories based upon safety and security in each country, while the CDC is focused on health conditions in each country. In this case, the CDC has not changed its advisory levels, which have been in place for quite some time. As you know, our focus is on the health, safety, and security of our students and staff in each country, based upon current conditions in locations where we send students.

Therefore, based upon extensive research regarding the current conditions in Barcelona and London, we would like to let you know that we have decided to run our Summer 2021 programs in these two locations.

However, we have decided to suspend our Vienna Summer 2021 Program due to low enrollment that was driven by the current conditions and 24/7 lockdown within the city.

We will encourage Vienna students to change enrollment to our Barcelona Summer – Language & Area Studies or London Summer – UK Today program, if either program works for them personally and academically. Also note, we are in the process of adding a virtual Vienna Psychology course to our London program to accommodate those students in need of Psychology coursework.

We will be communicating with all Barcelona, London and Vienna Summer students and their families shortly regarding these updates and will share those messages with those of you with applicants on the programs.

Currently, we are also continuing to plan for and evaluate our Fall 2021 programs.

By taking this nuanced approach and driving decision-making with science, data, and conditions on the ground, we are not only putting students first but also helping them make the best decisions for themselves—in consultation with their families and your institutions—based upon current conditions in the city where they are accepted to study this summer and beyond with IES Abroad.

In addition to the normal preparations that would be taking place during this time, confirmed students will also be invited to our new online predeparture orientation designed to prepare students for the new (and normal) on-site realities of study abroad before they depart. Once students are on-site, extensive on-the-ground checklists, preparations, and contingency planning has already been underway for months in support of the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty on-site.

We will continue to closely monitor and regularly discuss on-the-ground conditions, while closely communicating with schools and students and their families about our path to sending students abroad again.

You can find up-to-date information such as Travel and Immigration, Health & Safety Policies, and COVID-19 Updates that we’re posting on our website, as well as up-to-date program-specific information for our Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 program offerings.

We are delighted to once again welcome your students back to our Centers. Thank you for your trust and partnership as we re-embark on sending students abroad this summer.

April 9, 2021

As promised, as we reach the evaluation dates for our Fall 2021 programs, we will be communicating the status of the programs. Today, our Netherlands and Spain programs that have reached those evaluation dates.

We will also continue to communicate with students as we reach evaluation dates for the remaining Fall 2021 programs. See our Fall 2021 website for evaluation dates.

As a reminder, many indicators are reviewed weekly in determining whether a program can run. These include enrollment, visa and travel factors, consular information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and State Department guidance, along with information from our Center Directors regarding conditions on-site at our locations around the world.

We are happy to share that we currently plan to run the following Fall 2021 programs:

Amsterdam

Business & Economics
Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Law & Criminology
Psychology & Sciences

Barcelona

Arts & Culture
Journalism & Communications
Liberal Arts & Business
Political Science & International Relations

Granada

Study in Granada

Madrid

Business, Economics & Social Sciences
Engineering, Math & Science
Language & Area Studies

Salamanca

Language & Area Studies
Psychology

The following programs related to these Centers will be evaluated on or before the Program Evaluation Date listed below:

Amsterdam – Social Sciences & Humanities (May 14)
Barcelona – Full-Time Semester Internship (June 11)

We will be updating this information on our 2021 Study Abroad pages and communicating program statuses to students who have an application with us at any stage, later today.

Please let us know if you have questions.

April 2, 2021

London Health Practice & Policy Fall 2021 Program Updates

We have instituted some updates for the Fall 2021 London Health Practice & Policy (HPP) program that have been necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still planning to offer this program this coming fall semester but with some programmatic changes detailed below. We will reassess the viability of this program based on current enrollments and on-site conditions on or before our Program Evaluation Date of May 28, 2021 and provide updaes throughout the process.

Here is a summary of the programmatic details with information about modifications:

Program Dates: September 7 to December 18 - No change
Jamaica Field Study: In line with IES Abroad’s Fall 2021 health and safety policies, the Jamaica field study is not offered for Fall 2021. The HPP Program will be conducted entirely in London for the duration of the program.
Program Cost: We have decreased the cost by $3,878 due to modifications to the program. Fall 2021 tuition will be $14,545, and housing will be $4,215. The total cost of the program, including IES Abroad’s mandatory health insurance policy, is $18,990.
Academic Offerings:
- One Health Studies course taught by IES Abroad London faculty - No change
- One Health course taught at the School of Health Sciences at City University or at Queen Mary – Courses are still available through City, University of London. Enrollment at Queen Mary, University of London will not be offered for Fall 2021.
- One elective course from the Study London Program – No change
- One intensive 6-credit Social Welfare Policy course
  - All field study components will be replaced by virtual experiences. Virtual experiences will expose students to diverse environments and experiences in the healthcare realm. Students will have ample opportunities to exercise critical and comparative thinking and participate in discussions about healthcare and its impact on different communities and regions.
  - The course will incorporate virtual visits with healthcare practitioners and other guest speakers.
  - Students will complete a capstone project as part of the course.
  - An updated syllabus will be posted on the web; students will be notified when it is available.

In summary, for Fall 2021 we will not be offering the field study component to Jamaica, we will replace the London-based field study component of our intensive 6-credit Social Welfare Policy course with virtual experiences, and enrollment in Queen Mary University courses will not be available.

Please call us at 800.995.2300 or email us at [email protected] with questions.

April 1, 2021

IES Abroad Fall 2021 Tokyo Update

We had written to students several weeks ago to inform them that we were in search of a new partner university to host our students for study for the fall term. Since that time, we have discussed partnership options with several universities in Tokyo. However, like KUIS, our regular institutional partner, other universities in Tokyo are not making firm plans to host international students this fall and will not agree to sponsor visas at this time. Because we are unable to secure a partner to host our students, and due to continued border closures in Japan, we must suspend the IES Abroad Fall 2021 Tokyo – Language & Culture program. We know this is a disappointing decision and that some of students have been hoping to study in Tokyo for some time, and we share in that disappointment.

IES Abroad currently plans to offer many of our programs this fall semester, and we invite students to consider changing their application to another program for Fall 2021. Or, if students prefer, they can also defer their application to a future term. Up-to-date information about our Fall 2021 program offerings is available on our website, and the suspension of our Tokyo program will be published soon. This resource contains important information about the current status of our programs, including any modifications to our regular programming. For programs that have not yet been evaluated, students will also find the dates by which we plan to communicate if that program will be offered or not, based upon travel restrictions, visa requirements, and program enrollments at that time.

If students are interested in another Fall 2021 program, or another future term with us, they can complete this webform to request a change to their enrollment. We would also be happy to answer any questions students may have. They can respond to this message, call us at 800.995.2300, or email us at [email protected].

We are still hard at work preparing for when conditions are more favorable. Currently, we expect our Spring 2022 Tokyo – Language & Culture program to run as planned. Students should be sure to consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about fall or future study abroad program applications. We are happy to help students find the best IES Abroad program to fit their personal and academic needs and want to ensure that falls within their school’s requirements and policies.

If the best choice for students right now is to cancel their application, know that we’ll take care of that automatically and there is no need to message us. If students have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that also will be refunded in the coming weeks. They can find more information about our Fall 2021 refund policy on our here.

We know this is a challenging time, and we hope students are still able to make studying abroad a reality in the near future. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

March 18, 2021

IES Abroad Fall 2021 Program Suspensions

As we continue to monitor the pandemic, we also are continuously reviewing research and resources to gather information to determine which programs we can run safely this fall. Our cross-departmental team continues to meet to discuss the current global travel conditions, information from our Centers, enrollments, and the overall viability of our programs.

Because the rollout of the vaccine is inconsistent across the globe, fall programming continues to require close and ongoing consideration. We want more than anything to get students abroad, but also continue to be realistic about the factors that affect that goal.

We are hard at work preparing for when travel restrictions are lifted and are in the ongoing process of evaluating program offerings for the Fall 2021 term. At this time, where we have suspended a handful of programs and most of our Fall 2021 programs remain open, we are adding a few more to the suspension list, including the following for the reasons stated:

Buenos Aires (Summer start date, on-the-ground conditions, partner universities are not committing to hosting students for the fall)
Emerging Economies (Extensive, multi-country travel is an integral part of the program)
European Union (Extensive, multi-country travel is an integral part of the program)
Rabat (Students must leave the country before 90 days to re-set their tourist time, and this would not be possible to do in current travel conditions)

Customized & Faculty-Led Programming for Summer & Fall 2021

We continue to partner with colleges and universities to create customized and faculty-led programming for this summer and fall, unique to their campus’ needs and goals. Programmatic decisions for customized programs will be made separately from decisions for our standard study abroad and internship programs, all guided by the same health and safety standard we’re known for.

Communication Plan

We update this information on our 2021 Study Abroad pages and communicate the above-mentioned fall program statuses to students who have an application with us at any stage for those programs.

Travel & Immigration Webpage

We continue to regularly update our Travel & Immigration webpage that contains a chart with updates related to travel and immigration regulations. This information is updated regularly to the best of our knowledge based on a variety of sources, including consulates and embassies across the United States, information from our Centers abroad, and additional sources linked on the page.

March 4, 2021 (Updated August 2, 2021)

Vaccine Statement

IES Abroad strongly encourages that students participating in our study and intern abroad programs be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of their program. Please be aware that it is likely some countries may require proof of vaccination in order to gain entry. Some host institutions abroad, likewise, may require proof of vaccination for enrollment in their courses.

Students should get vaccinated to protect themselves not only against COVID-19 but also against the possibility of last-minute travel restrictions imposed by foreign governments. Students who are vaccinated may have greater freedom of movement and access to events and locations abroad.

IES Abroad recommends that students who are vaccinated carry written or digital proof of vaccination when traveling abroad. Additionally, students should expect that that some airlines or countries may require a negative COVID-19 test for travel.

Students who are not vaccinated may be subject to mandatory isolated quarantine for an extended period of time in a location not of their choosing. Additionally, unvaccinated students place their own health at risk, as well as the health of their fellow students, faculty, staff, and the people with whom they live. Each country has the right to establish their own policies, procedures, and regulations related to Covid-19. Students should be aware that each country’s local requirements may prevent unvaccinated students from visiting restaurants, museums, other cultural sites, and/or prohibit traveling on public transportation at any time. Per IES Abroad policy, unvaccinated students may not travel outside of their program host country.

We are monitoring the rapidly evolving developments on these issues very closely. As more country-specific information becomes available, IES Abroad will continue to update students and schools. Should you have further questions, please contact us at 800.995.2300.

March 1, 2021

IES Abroad Summer & Fall 2021 Programming Update

Throughout the pandemic, we have been poring over data, and reviewing research and resources to continuously gather information to determine how and when we can run our programs again. A cross-departmental team meets at least once a week to discuss the current global travel conditions, information from our Centers, enrollments, and the overall viability of our programs.

Because the rollout of the vaccine has started slower than we hoped, Summer and Fall programming has required deeper consideration, especially given the challenges some of the countries where we operate are also experiencing related to vaccinations and infections. Barriers to entry right now are many and changing by the minute. We are optimistic for the future, but also continue to be realistic about the factors influencing our industry as we make our plans.

This includes information about the following:

Summer 2021 Programs Offerings & Suspensions
Fall 2021 Program Suspensions
Student Communications Plan
Context & Philosophy for Program Viability
Customized & Faculty Led Programs
Travel & Immigration Webpage
Fall 2021 Program Fees & Costs

Summer 2021

We plan to offer summer programs at three of our Centers, including:

Barcelona (Language & Area Studies)
London (UK Today & University College London Direct Enrollment)
Vienna (Psychology)

All other summer standard programs will be suspended. See our Summer 2021 webpage for a list of offered programs, suspended programs, and evaluation dates.

For programs that are being offered this summer, we will continue to closely monitor travel warnings and student mobility options. We would make the decision to suspend any of these programs if the U.S. State Department travel warning level increases to Level 4, if border closures prevent students from entering the country, if conditions on-site related to COVID-19 worsen significantly, or if there are insufficient enrollments for the program. We will reassess the viability of these programs on or before the listed evaluation dates.

Fall 2021

Although it is too early to make decisions for most Fall 2021 programs, we will at this time suspend the following Fall 2021 programs, due to the reasons noted:

Auckland and Christchurch - University of Auckland has suspended their program for the fall, and New Zealand is not allowing foreign travelers into the country at least through the end of the year
Cape Town - This program is being suspended to the outbreak of the new virus variant in South Africa, low student applications, and the fact that most University of Cape Town courses will be offered virtually
Sydney - all 3 of our university partners have suspended offering study abroad programs for the fall

We will continue with the evaluation of remaining Fall 2021 programs and send updates on or before our evaluation dates. See our Fall 2021 webpage for evaluation dates.

Customized & Faculty-Led Programming for Summer & Fall 2021

Travel & Immigration Webpage

Our Travel & Immigration webpage contains a chart that provides updates related to travel and immigration regulations including U.S. State Department travel warning levels for each country where we operate. This information is updated regularly to the best of our knowledge based on a variety of sources, including consulates and embassies across the United States, information from our Centers abroad, and additional sources linked on the page.

Fall 2021 Program Fees & Costs

Our Fall 2021 Program Fees & Costs have been posted to our website here.

February 25, 2021

Summer 2021 University College London Program Update

Last month University College London informed us that they plan to host the majority of their classes online for both Session 1 and Session 2 this summer. IES Abroad has been monitoring the situation in London, and we are confident that by the summer conditions will support students traveling to London to take UCL courses there. Moving forward, students will still have the option to enroll in UCL courses either from London or from another preferred location. The majority of courses will still be offered virtually – students can find more specific information about courses that will be offered here. Only courses marked with an asterisk (*) will be held in-person. If students travel to London and a course is offered in-person, they would be able to attend that course in-person.

We hope students will consider traveling to London to enroll in UCL’s courses. Why? For us, study abroad is about more than just the courses. It’s about exploring a new city and its culture, gaining independence through travel, and experiencing all that London has to offer. We believe that students’ time with IES Abroad and UCL this summer will be greatly enhanced by being in London, even if they’re taking courses online.

Please read the below thoroughly for important information about how we will proceed and students’ next steps.

Next Steps

Completing The Application and Confirming Their Place in the Program

If students have not yet been accepted to their IES Abroad program, now is the time to complete their application by logging in to their MyIESabroad account to submit any remaining application documents immediately. The application deadline is today, February 25. Completing the application will also include letting us know whether they plan to attend courses in London or virtually from another location.

Once students are accepted, they’ll need to submit the Confirmation Form in their MyIESabroad account to confirm their intent to participate this summer. Our refund policy for the summer, which allows students to withdraw up to 14 days before the start of the program without financial penalty, can help students feel confident to confirm knowing students can change their mind for any reason.

Arranging Travel

If students choose to go to London, we will provide students with important information about planning and arranging their travel to London as the program approaches. For now, we recommend that students wait to book their flights until they’ve received further details from us. Please know that IES Abroad will not reimburse students for any money expended on travel arrangements should the on-site element of this program need to be suspended for the summer.

Our Evaluation Process & Future Decisions

We will continue to closely monitor travel warnings and student mobility options to ensure we make informed decisions with students in mind. While we are making plans to offer this program in London, it’s important for students to know that shifting conditions could result in changes to the program. Specifically, we would make the decision to disallow travel to London if the U.S. State Department travel warning level increases to Level 4, if border closures prevent students from entering the country, if conditions on-site related to COVID-19 worsen significantly, or if there are insufficient enrollments to run the program in the UK. Program details may change in response to these travel regulations, a change in their university’s decisions, or any other factor. In the event that traveling to London to enroll at UCL is not possible, students will still be able to enroll in UCL’s courses virtually as a back-up plan, and students would only be charged for tuition and not for housing and health insurance. We will reassess the viability of offering this program in London on or before April 23, 2021 and keep students updated throughout the process.

While Students are Abroad

There are important considerations we want to make sure students are aware of as students continue to make plans for this summer.

Changes can happen at any time, for any reason. Students know the drill – this pandemic has shown us that anything can happen! If students are committed to studying abroad this summer, we’ll need students to be flexible in adapting to any required changes that come up (think needing to quarantine, etc.). Rest assured we will stay in close communication with students, both leading up to the program and after they arrive, if things change.

Travel while abroad will be limited. IES Abroad’s independent travel policy for the summer allows for students to travel within the UK only. While we know this may feel restrictive, this policy is in place because of the complicated and ever-changing nature of each country’s border restrictions and quarantine requirements. We hope students will consider this an opportunity to get to know London better – there’s so much the city has to offer!
Students will need to comply with all in-country, airline, and IES Abroad protocols. While regulations continue to change, students should anticipate that students will be asked to comply with various protocols to facilitate their study abroad experience. These could include regular testing while in London, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test when traveling, abiding by local curfews or other movement restrictions on-site, and agreeing to any other requests from IES Abroad or local or national governments. These are all designed to ensure students’ health and safety, and it’s important that students respect these both for themselves and for other students, faculty, and staff.

While we know there’s still uncertainty about the summer, we hope students choose to give themselves the chance of going abroad. Please let us know if students have questions as students make plans for how to proceed. If a student has changed their mind and no longer wish to move forward with their application, please let us know and we’ll discuss their options for switching to a virtual program, deferring their application to another term, or cancelling their application. Students can call or email us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and their advisor will be here to help!

February 11, 2020

IES Internships has decided to suspend all in-person Summer 2021 internship programs.

This very difficult decision was made based on the what we currently know about border closures, travel restrictions, barriers to obtaining necessary visas, and on-the-ground conditions preventing students from having an in-person internship experience this summer.

Alternative options to consider:

Virtual Internship Program - Our global virtual internship program is available in over a dozen locations. This is our most flexible and affordable program that also includes a country-specific orientation session led by IES Abroad Center staff and a robust offering of virtual cultural activities from around the world to support the immersion that students would have hoped to experience on-site. Choose to enroll in a 3-credit, 6-credit, or no-credit option.

Students who participate in our Summer 2021 Virtual Internship Program will be eligible to receive a $1,000 discount on a future on-site IES Abroad semester study or internship program, or a $500 discount on a future summer study or internship program.

The application deadline is March 15, 2021. Students can request to move your current application now by following this link:
https://www.iesabroad.org/open-new-application-form

Defer your application to a future term:

Study Abroad with a Part-Time Internship - Participate in a part-time internship in addition to academic coursework as part of a fall or spring semester-long study abroad program. This option is available in 20+ locations.
Full-Time Semester IES Internship – Like the summer internship, this option offers full-time work hours and a three-credit IES Internships seminar, but takes place over the course of 12+ weeks and is available in five locations during fall or spring semester (Barcelona, Dublin, London, Milan, or Rome)
Future Summer IES Internship – A full-time internship during the summer of 2022 in any location where IES Abroad offers summer internship programs

IES Internships is here to help with any questions or concerns regarding the suspension of these programs and/or any future program options. It is also important for students to discuss this information with their family and home school study abroad office as soon as possible. We recommend discussing billing and academic credit requirements with the appropriate people at their home school.

Students will receive a notification soon that we have cancelled their enrollment for your Summer 2021 in-person internship. If they decide that right now they do not plan to pursue another program with us, no further action is required. Students can always request a new application for the future by completing this form or by contacting us at [email protected]. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that also will be refunded. You can find more information about our Summer 2021 refund policy on our website.

If you have immediate questions, please feel free to connect with your IES Internships Program Advisor by calling 800.995.2300 or sending an email to [email protected].

December 29, 2020

In a continued effort to assist institutions in retaining international students, we would like to update you on our in-person learning opportunities for your Chinese students who will not be able to travel to the United States for the Spring 2021 semester.

Our Students First philosophy applies to everything that we do, on every program—across academics, housing, health and safety (including comprehensive COVID-19 protocols), advising and student support that you have come to expect from us.

IES Abroad Shanghai Economy, Business & Society

We are happy to share two important updates regarding the IES Abroad Shanghai EBS program:

Continued partnership with Donghua. We are delighted to continue our partnership with Donghua for the Spring 2021 semester. On this program students will enjoy:
- IES Abroad coursework taught in Donghua University classroom spaces
- Housing on the Donghua University campus
- Day field trips within the region
- Possibility of internships
- Cohort-building activities
IES Abroad Courses available. Please see our website for the IES Abroad taught courses that we are planning to offer Spring 21.

IES Abroad Shanghai Engineering

IES Abroad continues our long-standing partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)
Students will have access to high-caliber courses taught in person by international faculty
Access to research laboratories and campus amenities through the University of Michigan–SJTU Joint Institute
Housing in STJU facilities
Day field trips within the region

Shanghai Programs Application Deadline January 8, 2021

December 17, 2020

We are delighted to be welcoming international students in Shanghai and London this Spring 2021 and with the promising news of effective vaccines we are all looking forward to welcoming students back to all of our Centers as soon as possible! We would like to update you on our planning and preparations for the future.

We have been meeting extensively on scenario planning for summer and fall and are reviewing the comprehensive data that informs our decisions regarding programs’ viability to run each term. The data includes:

Immigration policies
Travel regulations
Conditions on the ground
Deadlines
Timing of financial commitments made by IES Abroad and our students
Enrollment projections

We know the alignment of these components is integral to student mobility and of equal importance, we must be able to meet the high academic and health and safety expectations of our students, their families and you, our partners, when that mobility resumes.

Taking all of this into account, we have begun the process of evaluating summer program viability and will be suspending the following programs for noted reasons. These suspensions will soon be communicated to applicants for these programs and posted to our Summer 2021 webpages. Please note, general program suspensions do not necessarily correlate with Customized & Faculty-Led Programs and it may be possible to host your Customized Program in these locations. Please contact your IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led Programs representative with any questions.

Suspended Summer 2021 Programs:

Auckland Summer Direct Enrollment – University of Auckland Film Production – suspended by University of Auckland
Cambridge Summer – Pembroke-King’s Programme – suspended by Pembroke
Cape Town Summer – Health Studies – suspending due to clinical observation component
European Union Summer – suspending due to extensive travel component
Multi-Location Summer – Museums & Beyond: Art & Culture in Paris, Rome & Madrid – suspending due to extensive travel component
Rome Summer – Fashion Studies – suspending due to partner institution component and historically low enrollments
Santiago Summer – Health Studies – suspending due to clinical observation component

The rest of our summer programs will remain open at this point and will be evaluated on a regular basis. Up-to-date information about our Summer 2021 program offerings is available on our website. This resource contains important information about the current status of our programs, including any modifications to our regular programming. Alongside each program, you will also find the “IES Abroad Program Evaluation Date” (Formerly “Decide by Dates”) by which we plan to communicate if that program will be offered based upon travel restrictions, entry requirements, and program enrollments at that time. We have also posted our Summer 2021 Refund Policy.

We will continue to closely monitor travel warnings and student mobility directives to ensure we make informed decisions with your students in mind. Our Travel and Immigration webpage contains a chart that provides updates related to travel and immigration regulations, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. State Department travel warning levels. This information is updated regularly to the best of our knowledge based on a variety of sources, including consulates and embassies across the United States, information about conditions on the ground from our Centers abroad, and additional sources linked on the page.

November 10, 2020

IES Abroad Spring 2021 Program Suspensions

After much deliberation, we have made the very difficult decision to suspend the remainder of programs open to U.S. students that we were considering running for Spring 2021. These remaining suspensions include all programs in:

Barcelona
Berlin
Granada
London
Milan
Rome
Tokyo
Vienna

We have communicating these program suspensions to the appropriate students and their families. These changes will be reflected on our Spring 21 Offerings page soon.

As you can imagine, this decision was not made lightly and weighs heavy on our hearts. Study abroad is at the core of our mission as an organization, but it is also important to us personally—and this is not what any of us hoped for.

In our commitment to our students, we’ve done everything we could to try to make study abroad a possibility. However, many conditions pointed to this being the right decision for students. Considerations such as low enrollment, visa challenges, and most importantly the second COVID waves hitting many countries (including the United States) made this decision clear, albeit difficult. These risks were discussed at length and tracked at many levels across the organization, using copious amounts of ever-changing data. In the end, we couldn’t in good conscience justify taking a chance on things improving, especially at the expense of our students’ health and safety, as well as the personal financial investments, and academic risks.

We want to assure you that this does not change our hope and preparation for Summer 2021 and beyond—we will continue to pair our optimism with our planning—and will be sharing any updates with you going forward.

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that we are offering our NEW Virtual Internship Program (VIP) for all students, and continue to offer programming solutions for International students on:

IES Abroad Shanghai Economy, Business & Society (available to Chinese citizens)
IES Abroad Shanghai Engineering (available to Chinese citizens)
Direct Enrollment Programs

Please contact us if you have any questions.

October 30, 2020

IES Abroad Spring 21 Program Status Update

We are sharing an update about the status of IES Abroad programs for Spring 2021 with a November 1 “decide by date” as well as new suspensions for programs that were initially planned to run after the October 15 decide by date.

Our Spring 2021 programming is something we discuss every day. As we inch closer to the end of the year we hope that the finish line sees students studying safely on site for Spring 2021. Regardless of the outcome we want you to know we’ve done everything we can to make study abroad a possibility for your students.

This email contains updates or information about the following:

Updated Health & Safety protocols regarding required quarantines
Our Travel & Immigration webpage
NEW Virtual Internship Program
Programs Planned to Run On-Site
Suspended Programs
Future Decide By Dates

Updated Health & Safety quarantine protocols

We have also updated our Health & Safety Protocols for Spring 2021 regarding required quarantines upon arrival. You may find this updated information on our Spring 2021 Healthy and Safety Protocols webpage.

Travel & Immigration Webpage

Our Travel and Immigration webpage contains a chart that provides updates related to travel and immigration regulations including U.S. State Department travel warning levels. This information is updated regularly to the best of our knowledge based on a variety of sources, including consulates and embassies across the United States, information from our Centers abroad, and additional sources linked on the page.

Reminder: NEW Virtual Internship Program

We would also like to let you know that this spring and beyond, IES Internships will also be offering a new Virtual Internship Program (VIP). This program offers students the opportunity to gain valuable cross-cultural work experience in a variety of industries. If students cannot participate in another study abroad program for the spring, they can still engage with the world by supplementing their spring semester on your home campus with a full- or part-time global internship. More information is available on our website.

Programs Planned to Run On-Site

For programs listed below that we are currently planning to run, we will continue to monitor their viability; everything from enrollment and visas to conditions on the ground. We are making decisions based on information we have at this point in time, but please know that we are carefully considering and preparing for all scenarios.

Spring 2021 Programs Planned to Run On-Site

(Programs that are italicized below had already been decided to run if supported by enough enrollment.)

Barcelona

Arts & Culture
Journalism & Communications
Liberal Arts & Business
Political Science & International Relations

Granada

Study in Granada

London

Study London
St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University

Milan

Business Studies
Fashion Design & Merchandising
Italy Today

Rome

Art History & Fashion
Film & Media Studies
History & Classics
International Relations
Language & Area Studies
Sociology & Religion

Vienna

*Business, Economics & International Relations
*European Society & Culture
*Music
*Psychology & Sciences

* Modified to under 90 days

Suspended Spring 2021 Programs

This list below includes all programs that were on the November 1 decide by date list, as well as new suspensions for programs that were initially planned to run after the October 15 decide by date. Those programs are noted with an * and were suspended at this time due to insufficient enrollments after the confirmation deadline.

(Programs that are italicized below had already been suspended.)

Amsterdam

Business & Economics
Conservatorium van Amsterdam (DE)
Law & Criminology
Psychology & Sciences
Social Sciences & Humanities*
Spring Quarter

Auckland

University of Auckland (DE)

Barcelona

Full-Time Semester Internship

Berlin

Metropolitan Studies
Security Studies & International Affairs
Spring Quarter

Buenos Aires

Advanced Spanish Immersion
Latin American Societies & Cultures

Cape Town

Health, Culture & Development
University of Cape Town

Christchurch

University of Canterbury (DE)

Dublin

Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Dublin City University (DE)
Full-Time Semester Internship
Gaiety School of Acting-National Theatre School of Ireland (DE)
Irish Studies
Trinity College Dublin (DE)
University College Dublin (DE)
Writers Program

Freiburg

Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Language & Area Studies

London

City, University of London (DE)
Full-Time Semester Internship
Queen Mary, University of London (DE)
University College London (DE)

Madrid

Business & Economics
Engineering, Math & Science
Language & Area Studies

Milan

Full-Time Semester Internship
Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental

Nagoya

Nanzan University (DE)

Nantes

French Language Immersion & Area Studies*

Nice

Business, Sustainability & Immigration*
SKEMA Business School (DE)

Paris

French Studies

Paris BIA

Business & International Affairs

Quito

Galapagos Islands– GAIAS (DE)
Area Studies & Language
Universidad San Francisco de Quito (DE)

Rabat

Study in Rabat

Rome

Full-Time Semester Internship

Santiago

Health Studies
Politics, Social Justice & Language

Salamanca

Advanced Spanish Immersion
Psychology

Santiago

Health Studies
Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago
Politics, Social Justice & Language

Shanghai

Economy, Business & Society (this program will still be available to Chinese citizens)
Engineering (this program will still be available to Chinese citizens)

Siena

Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine

Future Spring 2021 Program Decide By Dates

Berlin – Language & Area Studies (12/1)
Tokyo – Language & Culture (12/1)

We will be in touch with you as we have been today to provide an update for those programs that will be considered on the decide by date of December 1st and beyond.

Please know we’re doing our best to keep up with quickly changing information that impacts future decisions. We will update you and your students when information is available. You may view the status of all programs and their decide by dates on our Spring 2021 Offerings page.

We are communicating these program updates, including suspensions and programs we expect to run, to the appropriate students and their families. If you would like a copy of the specific emails, please contact your IES Abroad representative.

October 24, 2020

IES Abroad Spring 2021 The Vrije Universiteit (VU) Update

IES Abroad is sharing a very important message regarding IES Abroad Direct Enrollment Programs at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) this spring.

Due to low enrollment, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the IES Abroad Spring 2021 Amsterdam – Business & Economics, Law & Criminology, and Business & Economics Programs.

We wanted to make sure that students have as many options available to them as possible. IES Abroad currently plans to offer some of our programs this spring semester, and we invite students to consider the following:

Change their application to another program for Spring 2021
- If interested in another Spring 2021 program, including our IES Abroad Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities program, we recommend contacting Josh Knowlton, the Amsterdam Advisor to discuss this option—by responding to the email message, or calling or emailing us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected]. Or to change their program, students can complete this form to request a change to their enrollment. Students should let us know by Monday, October 26th if they would like to pursue this option.
- Up-to-date information about Spring 2021 program offerings are available on our website. This resource contains important information about the current status of our programs, including any modifications to our regular programming. Alongside each program, you will also find the date by which we plan to communicate if that program will be offered or not based upon travel restrictions, visa requirements, and program enrollments at that time. Many program deadlines are approaching, so please check HERE for a list of upcoming program deadlines.
Defer their application to a future term
- We are still hard at work preparing for when conditions are more favorable. Currently, we expect our Fall 2021 Amsterdam – Business & Economics, Law & Criminology, and Business & Economics Programs to run as planned, and students are welcome to defer enrollment to that term or beyond.

Students should be sure to consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about spring or future study abroad program applications. We are happy to help them find the best IES Abroad program to fit their personal and academic needs and want to ensure that falls within their school’s requirements and policies.

We would also like to share that this spring and beyond, IES Internships will also be offering a new Virtual Internship Program (VIP). This program offers the opportunity to gain valuable cross-cultural work experience in a variety of industries. Even if not considering another study abroad program for the spring, students can still engage with the world by supplementing their spring semester on their home campus with a full- or part-time global internship. More information is available here.

If the best choice right now is for students to cancel their application, they do not need to do anything; we’ll take care of that for them. If they have already paid a confirmation deposit to IES Abroad, that will also be refunded. Learn more about our Spring 2021 refund policy.

We know this is a challenging time, and we hope we can work together to make studying abroad a reality for in the near future. Students may reach out to us at 800.995.2300 or [email protected] and their Program Advisor will be here to help with any questions.

October 24, 2020

IES Abroad Christchurch Direct Enrollment – University of Canterbury – Important Program Update

We have been notified by the University of Canterbury that it will not be enrolling study abroad students on its campus this spring. As a result, we must suspend the IES Abroad Spring Christchurch Direct Enrollment – University of Canterbury Program.

We are still hard at work preparing for when travel restrictions are lifted. Currently, we expect our Fall 2021 program in Christchurch to run as planned. The University of Canterbury is encouraging students to defer to the Fall 2021 semester. If students would like to consider this, they should be sure to consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about future program applications or enrollment.

Starting today, we invite students to consider another IES Abroad program for Spring 2021, or to defer their application to a future term. If they are interested in another IES Abroad program, email your advisor, call us at 800.995.2300, or complete this webform. Again, it is important that students consult their home school study abroad office before making any decisions about future program applications or enrollment.

We would also like to share that this spring and beyond, IES Internships will also be offering a new Virtual Internship Program (VIP). This program provides the opportunity to gain valuable cross-cultural work experience in a variety of industries. Even if not considering another study abroad program for the spring, students can still engage with the world by supplementing theirr spring semester on home campus with a full- or part-time global internship. More information is available on our website.

As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to closely monitor travel restrictions, consular information, the CDC, WHO and State Department guidance along with the situation on site at our locations around the world. We are looking for ways to be creative and flexible in our upcoming programming and will provide updates on any changes and/or new offerings.

Students may reach out with any questions and refer to our website for the details of our Spring 2021 refund policy, should they wish to apply to another program for that term.

October 22, 2020

Health & Safety Update

Please review our Spring 2021 Health & Safety Protocols as we have updated our policies.

October 19, 2020

IES Abroad Amsterdam – Important Program Information

This message contains important information about the IES Abroad Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities program.

Last week, we sent an email notifying students that we are planning to continue with the IES Abroad Amsterdam – Social Sciences & Humanities Program at this time. This program offers course options at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and they have informed us that the majority of their courses will be online for the Spring term. IES Abroad students should assume that all UvA courses will be delivered online.

For Spring ’21, students are required to take a minimum of one online course at the UvA, and a minimum of 1 course at the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center, where courses will be offered in-person. Due to the unique circumstances this semester, students will create their academic experience by selecting from the following required components:

A minimum of 1, and up to 4 UvA courses online (required, credits vary)
A minimum of 1, and up to 4 IES Abroad Amsterdam area studies courses (required, credits vary)

Students should consider their course options at the IES Amsterdam Center which they can find HERE, since they will be required to take at least 1 course from the IES Abroad Amsterdam offerings. Most importantly, because they are required to take at least 1 course at the UvA, they’ll need to confirm that their school allows students to take courses online while studying abroad and check with their school as soon as possible. Students should consider these modifications carefully as they may impact their ability to fulfill their academic requirements.

If studentsare able to proceed with the program with these academic changes, they MUST complete their IES Abroad application as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, October 23rd and submit the following forms in order to complete their application:

Amsterdam UvA – Passport Upload Form
Amsterdam UvA – Academic Statement of Purpose
Home School Authorization
Official Transcript

If they are accepted to the program, they’ll be asked to complete some additional forms shortly after their acceptance.

Should a student wish to withdraw or defer their application to another term, they should reply to this message to discuss their options. If we do not receive their required forms or do not hear from them by Friday, October 23rd, we will withdraw their application on their behalf. Feel free to reach out to their advisor with any questions you may have about the above information or your application.

October 16, 2020

IES Abroad Amsterdam – Important Program Updates

This message contains important information and action items that require immediate attention. Please read to the end.

Yesterday, we sent an email notifying students that we are planning to continue with the program at this time. The Vrije Universiteit (VU) informed us that the majority of their courses will be online for the Spring term. IES Abroad students should assume that all VU courses will be delivered online.

For Spring ’21, students are required to take a minimum of two online courses at the VU, and a minimum of 1 course at the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center. Due to the unique circumstances this semester, students will create their academic experience by selecting from the following required components:

A minimum of 2, and up to 4 VU courses online (required, credits vary)
A minimum of 1, and up to 3 IES Abroad Amsterdam area studies courses (required, credits vary)

Students should consider their course options at the IES Amsterdam Center which they can find HERE, since they will be required to take at least 1 course from the IES Abroad Amsterdam offerings. Most importantly, because students are required to take at least 2 courses at the VU, they’ll need to confirm that their schools allow students to take courses online while abroad. They should check with their schools as soon as possible on Monday and consider these modifications carefully as they may impact their ability to fulfill their academic requirements.

If students are able to proceed with the program with these changes, they MUST complete the following steps no later than 4PM Central Time on Monday, October 19th.

Complete the Required Forms in their MyIESabroad account as soon as possible. If they are missing any of the following forms, they are required by Monday at 4PM CT: Amsterdam CvA/VU - Passport Upload Form, the Amsterdam CvA/VU - Appen. Antecedents Certificate, and the General Data Protection Regulation Consent form.
Submit their Confirmation Form/Deposit: If they have not done so already, to secure their place in the program, they should submit the $500 Confirmation Form/Deposit in their MyIESabroad account. This fee is 100% refundable if we cancel the program for any reason before it starts, or if students decide to withdraw from the program at least 14 days before the program starts.
If students wish to proceed with the program, we must apply for a residence permit through the VU on their behalf ASAP. The residence permit is 250 Euro (approx. $300 USD), and is a non-refundable cost. As such, if students agree to the risk of not recovering these costs and want to continue with theirr application at this time, they should send the following message to their IES Abroad Program Advisor as a response to this email no later than 4:00 PM CT on Monday, October 19th:

I agree to have IES Abroad apply for a residence permit on my behalf. I understand that this 250 Euro ($300 USD) cost is non-refundable. If IES Abroad or the VU cancels the program or if I withdraw from the program for any reason, I understand I will be responsible and billed for this cost.

We understand this is a lot of information and requires quick action. If students have any questions, please reply to the email they received or call their Program Advisor at 312-264-5947 when the office is open on Monday. Also, if students would like to withdraw or defer to another term, they can let their Program Advisor know so they can discuss their options.

October 15, 2020

Spring 2021 Program Update

This update contains information about the following:

Our Travel & Immigration webpage
Travel Advisories
NEW Virtual Internship Program
Programs Planned to Run On-Site
Suspended Programs
Future Decide-By Dates

We have been and will continue to closely monitor travel warnings and student mobility options to ensure we make informed decisions with your students in mind.

Travel & Immigration Webpage
Our Travel and Immigration webpage contains a chart that provides updates related to travel and immigration regulations including U.S. State Department travel warning levels. This information is updated regularly to the best of our knowledge based on a variety of sources, including consulates and embassies across the United States, information from our Centers abroad, and additional sources linked on the page.

Travel Advisories
Based on feedback we have received from our consortium members, we have reviewed our policy regarding CDC Travel Health Notice Warning Levels. While we will continue to monitor and consider CDC Warning Levels along with other sources, we will not make decisions regarding running programs based exclusively or primarily on CDC levels.

We’re taking a more nuanced approach to these issues and to consult multiple sources as CDC warning levels are not necessarily indicative of the current conditions on the ground at many of our study abroad center locations. We will make decisions about running programs based on a number of factors, including U.S. Department of State Travel advisories, The World Health Organization, other countries’ consular and health and safety information, travel levels restrictions, feasibility of student visas, and conditions on the ground at each of our Centers.

NEW Virtual Internship Program
We would also like to let you know that this spring and beyond, IES Internships will also be offering a new Virtual Internship Program (VIP). This program offers students the opportunity to gain valuable cross-cultural work experience in a variety of industries. If students cannot participate in another study abroad program for the spring, they can still engage with the world by supplementing their spring semester on your home campus with a full- or part-time global internship. More information will be available on our website soon.

PROGRAMS TO RUN ON-SITE
We are making decisions based on information we have at this point in time. We know that things will most likely change, and then probably change again. We’ve all become accustomed to that since this entire year has been about adaptability, but please know that we are carefully considering and preparing for all scenarios.

At this time, we plan to run the following Spring 21 programs on-site:

Amsterdam

Amsterdam - Business & Economics
Amsterdam - Law & Criminology
Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences
Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

Barcelona

Barcelona - Arts & Culture
Barcelona - Journalism & Communications
Barcelona - Liberal Arts & Business
Barcelona - Political Science & International Relations

Granada

Granada - Study in Granada

Madrid

Madrid - Language & Area Studies

Milan

Milan - Business Studies
Milan - Fashion Design & Merchandising
Milan - Italy Today

Nantes

Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies

Nice

Nice - Business, Sustainability & Immigration

Paris BIA

Paris - Business and International Affairs

Rome

Rome - Art History & Fashion
Rome - Film & Media Studies
Rome - History & Classics
Rome - International Relations
Rome - Language & Area Studies
Rome - Sociology & Religion

SUSPENDED PROGRAMS
We have made the difficult decision to suspend the following Spring 21 programs.

Our standard IES Abroad programs are suspended due to insufficient enrollment
Direct Enrollment (DE) programs are suspended due to the University only offering online instruction or insufficient enrollment:

Amsterdam

Amsterdam - Conservatorium van Amsterdam (DE)

Barcelona

Barcelona - Full-Time Semester Internship*

Cape Town

Cape Town - Health, Culture & Development

Dublin

Dublin - Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Dublin - Dublin City University (DE)
Dublin - Full-Time Semester Internship*
Dublin - Gaiety School of Acting-National Theatre School of Ireland (DE)
Dublin - Irish Studies
Dublin - Trinity College Dublin (DE)
Dublin - University College Dublin (DE)
Dublin - Writers Program

London

London - City, University of London (DE)
London - Full-Time Semester Internship*
London - Queen Mary, University of London (DE)
London - University College London (DE)

Madrid

Madrid - Business & Economics
Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science

Milan

Milan - Full-Time Semester Internship*
Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental

Nagoya

Nagoya - Nanzan University (DE)

Nice

Nice - SKEMA Business School (DE)

Paris

Paris - French Studies

Quito

Galapagos Islands– GAIAS (DE)
Quito - Area Studies & Language
Quito - Universidad San Francisco de Quito (DE)

Rome

Rome - Full-Time Semester Internship*

Salamanca

Salamanca - Advanced Spanish Immersion
Salamanca - Psychology

Santiago

Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago

Siena

Siena - Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine

*Though on-site internships are suspended, students will have an option to participate in our Virtual Internship Program for Spring 21

Future Decide-By Dates
Please note that the original October 15th decide by date for the Cape Town - Cape Town - University of Cape Town Program has been moved to November 1st.

We will be in touch with you as we have been today to provide an update for those programs that will be considered on the decide by date of November 1st and beyond. You may view all programs and their decide by dates on our Spring 2021 Offerings page.

We are communicating the suspensions and programs we expect to run to the appropriate students and their families. Should you want a copy of the specific emails, please contact your IES Abroad representative.

As our President & CEO, Gregory D. Hess, Ph.D. wrote to you, our valued partners, in August: “We want nothing more than for your students to study abroad safely and to flourish. As we remain optimistic for the future, we are continuously and cautiously assessing how we can deliver safe, quality programming for Spring 2021.”

Please contact us if you have any questions.

October 9, 2020

We have been notified by the University of Sydney that it will not be enrolling study abroad students on its campus this spring. As a result, we must suspend the IES Abroad Spring Direct Enrollment University of Sydney program.

At this time, we are exploring opportunities for virtual learning options with the University of Sydney, and we will be in contact as we learn more. If you would be interested in taking virtual courses at the University of Sydney in the spring, please respond to this email to let us know. Please make sure to consult your study abroad office regarding their online learning policies for study abroad students.

We are still hard at work preparing for when travel restrictions are lifted. Currently, we expect our Fall 2021 programs in Sydney to run as planned. Starting today, we invite you to consider another IES Abroad program for Spring 2021, or to defer your application to a future term. If you are interested in another IES Abroad program for a future term abroad with us, please reply to this message, call us at 800.995.2300, or complete this webform. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about future program applications or enrollment.

As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to closely monitor travel restrictions, consular information, the CDC, WHO and State Department guidance along with the situation on site at our locations around the world. We are looking for ways to be creative and flexible in our upcoming programming and will keep you updated on any changes and/or new offerings.

Please feel welcome to reach out with any questions and refer to our Spring 2021 refund policy, should you wish to apply to another program for that term.

September 17, 2020

Our Spring 2021 Program Update

Our Criteria: Our experienced global teams across the organization carefully considered a range of information to inform our Spring 2021 programs plan, including:

State Department travel advisories, as well as U.S. Centers for Disease Control travel warnings
Center Director guidance and local intel
Input across all IES Abroad departments
Consular and visa information
Local university decisions and guidelines
In-country quarantine guidelines
IES Abroad health and safety guidelines
Input from consortium members

Our Plan: After considering the above information, we categorized our Spring 2021 programs into three groups:

Suspended: These programs have been suspended for the Spring 2021 Semester, and have been communicated to the the affected students and their parents.
Modified: One or more components of the program has been modified. Modifications may include: delayed start date, no homestays, alternative field trip offerings, and/or no local university enrollment.
Unchanged: For now, these programs remain unchanged and we will reach out if there are any changes.

View Programs

Decide By Dates: We have given each program a date by which we will determine whether a program will run or not. We hope this provides as much time as possible for the program to run and students as much time as possible time to make decisions about their participation.

View Decide-By Dates

You may also view our Spring 2021 Updates page for links to our program offerings, health & safety protocols, and refund policy.

Please note: The above applies to IES Abroad standard and hybrid programs only. Full-time internships and Customized & Faculty-Led programs may have different policies.

Direct Enrollment program decisions are determined based on our partner university policies and we will communicate changes as needed.
Programs through our Customized & Faculty-Led department may have different or specific policies and protocols.
Internships, as part of a semester program or full-time will be virtual regardless if a program is running on-site.

As we have said before, we have a Students First philosophy at IES Abroad that applies to everything that we do—across academics, housing, health and safety, advising and support, and more. All of our decisions are, and will continue to be, deeply rooted in this philosophy.

We continue to closely monitor travel restrictions, consular information, the CDC, and WHO and refer to State Department guidance, along with the situation on-site at our locations around the world. As more information becomes available, we will continually reassess as necessary and communicate any changes, and keep our website updated as well.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your IES Abroad representative.

September 15, 2020

IES Abroad Sydney Direct Enrollment Macquarie University – Important Program Update

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the IES Abroad Spring 2021 Macquarie University programs.

We have been notified by Macquarie University that it will not be enrolling study abroad students on their campus this spring. As a result, we must suspend the IES Abroad Spring Sydney Direct Enrollment Macquarie University program.

As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to closely monitor travel restrictions, consular information, the CDC, WHO and State Department guidance along with the situation on site at our locations around the world. We are looking for ways to be creative and flexible in our upcoming programming and will keep you updated on any changes and/or new offerings. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about future program applications or enrollment.

Please feel welcome to reach out with any questions and refer to the details of our Spring 2021 Refund Policy, should you wish to apply to another program for that term.

September 11, 2020

IES Abroad Direct Enrollment University of New South Wales – Important Program Update

We have been notified by the University of New South Wales that it will not be enrolling study abroad students on its campus this spring. As a result, we must suspend the IES Abroad Spring Direct Enrollment University of New South Wales program. At this time, UNSW is exploring opportunities for virtual learning options, and we will be in contact as we learn more. If you would be interested in taking virtual courses at UNSW in the spring, please respond to this email to let us know. Please make sure to consult your study abroad office regarding their online learning policies for study abroad students.

We are still hard at work preparing for when travel restrictions are lifted. Currently, we expect our Fall 2021 programs in New South Wales to run as planned. Starting today, we invite you to consider another IES Abroad program for Spring 2021, or to defer your application to a future term. If you are interested in another IES Abroad program for a future term abroad with us, please reply to this message, call us at 800.995.2300, or complete this webform.

As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to closely monitor travel restrictions, consular information, the CDC, WHO and State Department guidance along with the situation on site at our locations around the world. We are looking for ways to be creative and flexible in our upcoming programming and will keep you updated on any changes and/or new offerings. Please consult your home school study abroad office before making any decisions about future program applications or enrollment.

Please feel welcome to reach out with any questions and refer to our website for the details of our Spring 2021 refund policy, should you wish to apply to another program for that term.

September 3, 2020

IES Abroad Direct Enrollment University of Auckland—Important Program Update

We have been notified by the University of Auckland that it will not be enrolling study abroad students on their campus this spring or summer. As a result, we must suspend the IES Abroad Spring Direct Enrollment University of Auckland Program and the Summer Film Production Program.

We expect to share more information with you about our Spring 2021 programming soon.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

August 27, 2020

On behalf of our Crisis Management Team and Senior Leadership, we are glad to share with you the following information related to Spring 2021:

Programs Update
Refund Policy
Health & Safety Protocols, which include updated Housing Protocols

This information will also be communicated with students who have applied to a Spring 2021 program, as well as their parents.

We are grateful to work together with exceptional partners like you to support students with their study abroad goals. We want to reassure you that we are here for you and your student from beginning to end. We will reach out to you again with additional information, as needed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warmest wishes,
Gregory D. Hess, Ph.D.
President and CEO
IES Abroad

Note regarding Customized & Faculty-Led Programs: Please note programs through our Customized & Faculty-Led department may have different or specific policies and protocols.

Spring 2021 Programs Update

We are currently carefully considering our program options for Spring 2021, and are working on contingency planning now to be as ready as possible for whatever lies ahead and will communicate any programmatic changes as soon as possible. We will also let you (as well as your students and their parents) know at least five weeks in advance of the official program start date if a program is going to be cancelled.

We will not run a program during the Spring 2021 term in any location where the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory or where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a Level 3 Warning related to COVID-19.

You may also check our Spring 2021 updates page, a one-stop resource for updates, changes, and information regarding our Spring 2021 policies and program updates.

Spring 2021 Refund Policy

Given the fluid nature of the coronavirus and its impact on study abroad, IES Abroad will offer students full refunds of the program fees, including the non-refundable Confirmation Deposit if they withdraw more than 14 days before the program’s official published arrival date.

IES Abroad Spring 2021 Refund Policy

Students who voluntarily withdraw from an IES Abroad program more than 14 days before the program’s official published arrival date will receive a full refund of the program fees, including the non-refundable Confirmation Deposit. Students voluntarily withdrawing from a program less than 14 days before the program’s official arrival date will be eligible for a refund of recoverable costs as determined by IES Abroad at the time of their written withdrawal notice. Students voluntarily withdrawing on or after the program’s official arrival date will receive no refund. IES Abroad will issue all refunds to the party that paid IES Abroad for those fees.

Students voluntarily withdrawing from a program due to a serious illness (not pandemic related) or injury or a serious family medical emergency after the program’s arrival date are eligible to receive recoverable cost refunds. All emergency withdrawals must be documented in writing by a physician and approved in advance in consultation with the IES Abroad Dean of Students Office in Chicago. The amount of any possible recoverable cost refund will be determined on a case-by-case basis in the sole discretion of IES Abroad.

If IES Abroad cancels a program prior to its official arrival date due to a lack of a sufficient number of students to effectively run the program, then IES Abroad will issue a full refund, including the non-refundable Confirmation Deposit, to the paying party.

If IES Abroad suspends a program after its official arrival date, IES Abroad will issue recoverable cost refunds to the paying party for housing and field trips, but only if and when IES Abroad has recovered actual expenses from its vendors. Tuition is not refundable if students are provided an option to continue pursuing courses for credit. In cases where IES Abroad is not able to provide an option for students to continue pursuing credit, students may be eligible for a refund of recoverable tuition costs.

Any student who is dismissed by IES Abroad after the arrival date for any program for any reason forfeits the possibility of any refund, including without limitation a refund of used or unused expenses, as well as the comprehensive program fee.

The following table highlights additional categories of fees which qualify for refunds and those that do not qualify for refunds:

Supplemental Tuition	Not refundable if student is provided an option to continue pursuing credit
Health Insurance	Not refundable
Supplemental Housing	Only recoverable costs actually recovered by IES will be refunded
Visa/Residence Fees	Not refundable
Optional Field Trips and Excursions	Only recoverable costs actually recovered by IES will be refunded
Books	Not refundable if the student received them
Transportation Passes	Not refundable
Loans to Students	Not refundable
Student charges for outstanding items (keys, cleaning fees, damage to housing)	Not refundable

Spring 2021 Health & Safety Protocols

Our students’ health and safety is and always has been our number one priority. In response to the impact of COVID-19, our Crisis Management Team (CMT), who has decades of crisis experience, has defined a list of protocols that specifically apply to the Spring 2021 study abroad semester across key elements of the student experience including health, academics, housing, and travel. These protocols were developed based on information from credible, reliable sources across the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. State Department, host country government sources, and trusted private sources.

These updated protocols are in addition to the standard health & safety policies we champion, including international health insurance, mental health support, 24/7 emergency support, highly trained local staff, in-country network, mandatory orientations, trip tracker, mandatory crisis drills, and more.

The updated Spring 2021 Health & Safety Protocols include:

General

IES Abroad will not run a program during the Spring 2021 term in any location where the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory or where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a Level 3 Warning related to COVID-19.
IES Abroad will inform students, schools, and parents of any on-site program closure for Spring 2021 at least five weeks in advance of the official program start date. Students will be eligible for a full refund of program fees for any program cancelled by IES Abroad prior to the official program start date.
IES Abroad has specific protocols, plans and guidelines in place on the issue of pandemics and program closures. We continuously monitor many private and public alerts and media sources to help facilitate that our students, parents, and schools have ready access to important and relevant health advisories and travel information. Some of the sources we monitor for information include the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. State Department, host country government sources, and private sources regarding health and safety matters. In the present environment, all of this is undertaken with special attention to COVID-19.
IES Abroad complies with local laws, applicable regulations, and government orders relative to COVID 19. For nearly 20 years, IES has had its own tested protocol to guide our preparation, program planning and response to emerging infectious diseases like COVID 19 We strive to assist and encourage students, faculty, and staff to adhere to best practices, such as social or physical distancing, best hygiene practices, avoiding public gatherings, following mobility restrictions, avoiding independent travel and more.

Student Health

As part of IES Abroad program fees, all students studying onsite are required to have a student health insurance plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This plan provides up to $500,000 in coverage with a $100 one-time deductible for any physical health issue, including COVID-19, that could arise abroad. This insurance policy also provides emergency hospitalization evacuation benefits to the U.S. or the student’s country of origin, as well as a bedside benefit for immediate family members.
Onsite IES Abroad staff are well trained on our health and safety protocols, including on how to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 issues that might arise with students at their location.
Onsite IES Abroad staff can provide contact information to students on local English-speaking medical professionals who can assist with any health issue that arises, including COVID-19 testing (where available) and more. Our well-trained staff can also assist with arranging medical visits, accompanying students to appointments, and monitoring student well-being.
Under our protocol for responding to infectious diseases, all IES Abroad Centers have a plan in place that includes the capacity to isolate a student who may have been exposed to COVID 19, or who is being tested, awaiting test results for COVID-19 in alternative housing that is monitored by IES Abroad staff. This approach also allows us to separate healthy students from a student who needs to self-quarantine is being tested.
As health restrictions can be placed on individuals arriving in country or after arrival, students are encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 test before departing for their program location.

Student Housing

General
- Independent housing is prohibited for Spring 2021 unless a student is living with family members who reside in the city where the IES Abroad Center is located.
- Students will only be placed in apartments and residence halls. Homestays will not be allowed in the Spring 2021 term due to Covid-19. IES Abroad’s strong preference is for students to be placed in the housing that provides the greatest amount of social distancing.
- Students with medical conditions such as chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, diabetes, immunosuppressive drug therapy including chronic systemic corticosteroid treatment, students who are immunocompromised, heart disease, HIV, and morbid obesity are at high risk for COVID-19 illness and complications. These students should be placed in apartments.
- To minimize the need for students to use mass transit, IES Abroad will strive to locate housing that is within walking or biking distance to the Center.
- No housing contract should be signed with a housing provider without approval from the respective International Program Dean in Chicago office and a legal review by the Office of the Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
- For spring 2021, Centers must obtain month-to-month contracts or contracts that provide the opportunity for IES Abroad to unilaterally cancel within 30 days.
- All housing provided for spring 2021 will be single bedroom occupancy.
Apartment Housing
- No apartment may have more than four students and each student must be living in separate single bedrooms. IES Abroad preference is for one or two students to share one apartment.
- To the extent practicable, low occupancy apartment buildings (no more than 8 individual units where reasonably possible) should be acquired for student use.
- Building management must provide enhanced cleaning and disinfection in all common areas (hallways, staircases, elevators, etc.) and high-touch surfaces at least every 3 days. In locations where building management is unable to provide enhanced cleaning, students will be provided starter cleaning materials and instructed on how to enhance cleaning and disinfection of common areas with materials provided by IES Abroad and best practices in person COVID-19 safety in public areas.
- IES Abroad will provide at least twice weekly (minimum) cleaning and disinfection of all common area spaces (bathrooms, kitchens, lounge, etc.) of each apartment. IES Abroad will post information/signage on proper hand washing hygiene (verbally, posters, videos) with anti-bacterial soap or hand sanitizer in bathroom(s), kitchen, and main entry doors.
Residence Hall Housing
- Each residence hall must be approved for occupancy by local health officials and the local housing authority.
- Each residence hall must follow all applicable requirements of local, regional, and national governments and follow applicable health regulations related to Covid-19, including without limitation those for the cleaning, signage, social distancing, and other requirements for residence halls.
- One student per bedroom and ideally per bathroom (to the extent practicable). When shared bathrooms are used, daily (minimum) cleaning and disinfection is required to be done by the residence hall or its vendors at the residence hall’s expense.
- Building management must provide enhanced cleaning in all common areas (lounges, game rooms, exercise rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, hallways, staircases, elevators, door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings, bathroom stalls, doorways, etc.) at least every three (3) days along with other high-touch surfaces.
- Building management will provide adequate supplies, including antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol, paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, and no-touch/foot pedal trash cans in common areas and public bathrooms.
- Building management staff must have written protocols and must have been trained in COVID-19 symptoms and response, including the quarantine of residents, social distancing requirements, cleaning requirements, access requirements for the residence hall, etc.
- Building management has restrictions on events and social activities as per current physical or social distancing requirements and recommendations.
- Building management has reconfigured seating in common areas to ensure proper physical/social distancing.
- Building management has posted allowable occupancy in all common areas of the building and will monitor and enforce occupancy limits and other applicable requirements.
- Building management has restrictions on building access by non-residents, including outside guests, non-residential staff, and others.
- All residence hall students and staff should be required by local regulations to wear personal face coverings in common areas.
- Building management will post frequent reminders of proper hand hygiene (verbally, posters, videos) with hand sanitizer widely available in common areas.
- Building management will always require all dining facility staff to wear face masks and gloves while working and interacting with the public—and appropriate social distancing in dining areas must be required.
- Building management will require all customers/diners to wear face masks or coverings while in the facility. Since an individual cannot eat and drink while in a mask, masks should be worn during movement in the facility and can be removed when sitting and dining. This emphasizes the need for physical/social distancing of patrons and providing only takeout options.
- Building management will limit the number of individuals dining in a single facility at one time. Building management must provide written policies and procedures on:
  - Access control: once the maximum allowable number of people is reached, patrons are only allowed to enter when another customer leaves.
  - Cohort dining: established dining times admitting a specific group of customers/diners.
  - Physically/socially distanced or spaced (6-foot) floor markers for waiting lines outside and inside the facility.
  - Appropriately spaced and limited numbers of tables and chairs per table.
  - Eliminating buffet-style self-serve food or beverage stations and replacing with staff-served meal stations and/or take away options.

Academic Facilities

At a minimum, IES Abroad Centers will undergo daily cleaning and disinfection by professional cleaning services.
To enhance effective social/physical distancing, IES Abroad is taking pro-active measures in the classroom, too, including limiting class enrollment sizes limitations, adjusting space layout, room choice, and promoting student/faculty use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

IES Abroad and Independent Travel

Any IES Abroad sponsored travel will only occur in the program host country if appropriate social distancing can be provided and health concerns can be reasonably reduced for all participants.
Per IES Abroad policy for Spring 2021, IES Abroad students are forbidden from traveling outside their program host country. Students who travel outside the host country may be subject to disciplinary proceeding and/or dismissed from the program.
Any in-country independent travel must be entered in advance by the student in the IES Abroad TripTracker platform. This system allows IES Abroad staff to locate a student swiftly in the event of a crisis or emergency where the student is traveling.

Academic Contingency Planning

Should a program need to suspend on-site instruction due to COVID-19, students will continue their coursework in an online environment.
Sending institutions must provide program approval for online instruction before any student departs for an IES Abroad program location.

August 7, 2020

Fall 2020 Flexible Study Abroad Programs Canceled

We have made the difficult decision to cancel our Fall 2020 Flexible Study Abroad Programs. They will not run online or abroad.

The unpredictable trajectory and impact of COVID-19, low program enrollment, as well as significant travel challenges, informed this decision.

As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to closely monitor travel restrictions, consular information, the CDC, WHO and State Department guidance, along with the situation on-site at our locations around the world.

The cancellation of this program doesn’t mean your study abroad dreams need to end here! You can open a new enrollment for a future term for one of our 138 study abroad and internship programs. We currently have our application open for Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021. If a future program doesn’t fit into your plans, students can cancel their enrollment.

June 24, 2020

Due to the unpredictable trajectory and impact of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to suspend more programs as listed below. Low confirmation numbers, local university closings or delayed starts, as well as significant visa and travel challenges informed these decisions. The programs below are suspended for Fall 2020 semester only. Please note, general program cancellations do not necessarily correlate with Customized & Faculty-Led Program. It may be possible to host a customized program in those locations, please contact us with any questions.

With the suspensions below, our Fall Flexible Study Abroad programs in Barcelona, London, Milan, Paris and Vienna, our Shanghai EBS program for Chinese citizens only, and customized programs will comprise our Fall 2020 offerings.

Flexible Study Abroad Programs
The details for the two newest Flexible Study Abroad Programs in Milan and Paris are nearly ready to be published on our website! Keep an eye out for that announcement very soon. The deadline to apply for all of our Flexible Study Abroad Programs is July 15th.

Students that have applied to the suspended programs below will be able to defer their enrollment to a future term, enroll in one of our flexible fall programs or cancel their enrollment.

We have also posted our COVID-19-related Health and Safety Information for Fall 2020 to our website.

Please contact us if you have questions.

ADDITIONAL SUSPENDED FALL 2020 PROGRAMS

Amsterdam - Business & Economics
Amsterdam - Law & Criminology
Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences
Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
Dublin - Writers Program
Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Freiburg - Language & Area Studies

June 15, 2020

Due to the unpredictable trajectory and impact of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to suspend more programs as listed below. Low confirmation numbers, local university closings or delayed starts, as well as significant visa and travel challenges informed these decisions. The programs below are suspended for Fall 2020 semester only. Please note, general program cancellations do not necessarily correlate with Customized Programs. It may be possible to host a customized program in those locations, please contact us with any questions.

Flexible Study Abroad programs in Milan and Paris
We are happy to announce we will be offering two more Flexible Study Abroad Programs in Milan and Paris. The structure and dates for these will be the same as our previously announced programs in Barcelona, London and Vienna, however cost and course offerings will be posted to our website as soon as available. We have also extended the application deadline for all our Flexible Study Abroad programs to July 15th.

Your students that have applied to the suspended programs below will be able to defer their enrollment to a future term, enroll in one of our flexible fall programs or cancel their enrollment. At the end of this message is the text of email that will be sent shortly to students on the following suspended programs.

We will continue to monitor conditions and review the plausibility for Fall 2020 programs to run. We have also posted our COVID-19-related Health and Safety Information for Fall 2020 to our website. We will keep you updated should we need to close any more programs due to the criteria listed above.

Please contact us if you have questions.

ADDITIONAL SUSPENDED FALL 2020 PROGRAMS

Amsterdam - Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Berlin - Language & Area Studies
Berlin - Metropolitan Studies
Berlin - Security Studies & International Affairs
Buenos Aires - Advanced Spanish Immersion
Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
Dublin - City University
Dublin - National Theatre School of Ireland - Gaiety School of Acting
Dublin - Trinity College Dublin
Freiburg - European Union
Granada – Study in Granada
London - Queen Mary, University of London
London - University College London
Oxford - St. Catherine's College
Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
Madrid - Language & Area Studies
Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental
Multi-Location - Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago
Nagoya - Nanzan University
Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
Nice - Business, Sustainability & Immigration
Nice - SKEMA Business School
Paris - French Studies
Rabat - Study in Rabat
Rome - Art History & Fashion
Rome - Early Childhood Education
Rome - Film & Media Studies
Rome - History & Classics
Rome - International Relations
Rome - Language & Area Studies
Rome - Sociology & Religion
Salamanca - Advanced Spanish Immersion
Tokyo - Language & Culture

ON-HOLD PROGRAMS

The following are programs which we continue to monitor the situation and feasibility to run (check this page for updates):

Amsterdam - Business & Economics
Amsterdam - Law & Criminology
Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences
Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
Dublin - Writers Program
Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Freiburg - Language & Area Studies

May 27, 2020

As you know, the unpredictable trajectory of COVID-19 has had a widespread impact a on the higher education and travel industries—both of which directly impact study abroad. In response, we have created a Flexible Study Abroad option in Barcelona, London, and Vienna for students to still pursue cross-cultural learning opportunities this fall amidst the uncertainty.

We invite you to learn more about the new Flexible Study Abroad programs that we’re offering in place of Barcelona, London, and Vienna programs this fall as other IES Abroad programs in those locations will not be running.

After reviewing these new programs, students may let us know if they’d like to switch their enrollment to this program, defer to a future term, or cancel their plans.

Designed to adapt to changing travel regulations, our Flexible Study Abroad programs offer courses taught in two six-week sessions and with the flexibility to be instructed on-site or online, if needed. We’re doing everything we can to help students spend as much time abroad this semester as possible, all in a safe and responsible manner. Please find some program highlights below to learn more.

We hope students will continue to join us this fall and can let us know their updated plans as soon as possible using this webform—whether that’s enrolling in a Flexible Study Abroad program, deferring to a future term, or cancelling their application or enrollment. We encourage students sure to talk with their schools about their study abroad plans as well, as they need to authorize this change.

If you have any questions, please contact your advisor at [email protected] or 800.995.2300 (we promise it will get to the right person!). We’re here to help!

Flexible Study Abroad Program Highlights

Two 6-week sessions, designed to adapt to changing travel regulations. Both sessions are designed to be run on-site but will have the ability to move online, if needed. Decisions about whether a session will be offered online vs. on-site will be made in a timely manner so you and your family can make travel arrangements.
Program dates that don’t require a visa. The program duration for both blocks combined is under 89 days to eliminate the need for a student visa for U.S. students, making it possible for most students to go abroad.

Program Dates

Session 1: September 23 – November 3, 2020, we will decide whether this session is online by August 12, 2020
Session 2: November 6 – December 18, 2020, we will decide whether this session is online by September 16, 2020

Courses & Credits: You’ll enroll in 2-3 courses (3 credits each) in each session. Courses have been selected from existing IES Abroad Barcelona offerings. Please note that the number of credits you take may affect your financial aid. Make sure to discuss this with your study abroad office.

Optional CommunitIES: Designed to foster cultural exchange on topics like food, art, music, dance, etc.

New student safety guidelines: Based upon COVID-19 impact, will be implemented, supporting and fostering as safe an academic and living environment as possible. This will include social distancing in on-site classes, in-country field trips only, and housing that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.

Pricing according to your experience: Offering a flexible study abroad program means we will also offer program pricing according to your experience. On-site costs, such as housing and insurance, would only be added to the base tuition cost if the program goes on-site.

A full refund policy: If for some reason you are unable to participate, you have the ability to withdraw up to 24 hours before program start date and receive a full refund, including your $500 confirmation deposit.

May 22, 2020

Due to the unpredictable trajectory and impact of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to suspend a few more programs as listed below. Low confirmation numbers, local university closings or delayed starts, as well as significant visa and travel challenges informed these decisions. The programs below are suspended for Fall 2020 semester only.

Please note, general program cancellations do not necessarily correlate with Customized Programs. It may be possible to host a Customized Program in the location, please contact us with any questions.

Students that have applied to the suspended programs below will be able to defer their enrollment to a future term, enroll in one of our Flexible Study Abroad programs, or cancel their enrollment.

We will continue to monitor conditions and review the plausibility for Fall 2020 programs to run. We will keep you updated should we need to close any more programs due to the criteria listed above.

Please contact us if you have questions.

SUSPENDED FALL 2020 PROGRAMS ADDITIONS

DUBLIN

Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Irish Studies

LONDON

Direct Enrollment- City University of London (University decision to cancel)

Note: We are monitoring our other DE Partnerships. Final decisions will be made by IES Abroad on or before July 15, 2020.

NEW ZEALAND

Christchurch Direct Enrollment – University of Canterbury
(Anticipated University decision to cancel)

SALAMANCA

Psychology

SANTIAGO

Based on Pontificia Universidad de Chile (PUC) decision to cancel

Health Studies
Politics, Social Justice & Language
We are discussing options for our Emerging Economies program

SHANGHAI

Economy, Business & Society is Now open ONLY to Chinese citizens already living in China. Deadline extended to June 15, 2020.

SYDNEY

Direct Enrollment – University of New South Wales (UNSW)
(Anticipated University decision to cancel)

May 14, 2020

Fall 2020 Program Suspensions

Due to the unpredictable trajectory and impact of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the programs listed below. Low confirmation numbers, local university closings or delayed starts, as well as significant visa and travel challenges, informed these decisions. The programs below are suspended for Fall 2020 semester only. We will continue to monitor conditions and review the plausibility for Fall 2020 programs to run. We will keep you updated should we need to close any more programs due to the criteria listed above.

Your students that have applied to the suspended programs below will be able to defer their enrollment to a future term, enroll in one of our flexible fall programs, or cancel their enrollment.

The following programs, listed by city, have been temporarily suspended for Fall 2020 and are intended to resume in Spring 2021:

AUCKLAND

Direct Enrollment - University of Auckland (suspended by University)

BARCELONA

Full-Time Semester Internship

CAPE TOWN

DUBLIN

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

Direct Enrollment - GAIAS

LONDON

MILAN

Full-Time Semester Internship

QUITO

ROME

Full-Time Semester Internship

SHANGHAI

Engineering

SIENA

SYDNEY

Direct Enrollment - Macquarie University (suspended by University)
Direct Enrollment – University of Sydney (suspended by University)

May 12, 2020

Fall 2020 Flexible Programs

We are very excited to announce the launch of our new flexible programming for Fall 2020. As we all know very well, the unpredictable trajectory of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on study abroad and travel, but it has also led to innovation, new ideas, and new ways of doing things.

Program Structure
We created a program structure that is as flexible and adaptable as possible in terms of schedule, price, billing, travel restrictions and on the ground conditions. The outcome is the direct result of a cross organizational Task Force that are committed to offering a program with attention to the quality you have come to expect from IES Abroad.

Initial Locations
We will announce locations with this new model on a rolling basis, with the first group including Barcelona, London, and Vienna, others to follow. Note that existing programs in each of these locations will all be collapsed into this one, new flexible program. More locations will be evaluated for this new model and announced as we monitor interest, travel restrictions and on-the-ground situation.

Our new flexible programs will be created using the following structure:

Each program will have two 6-week sessions/blocks to ensure maximum flexibility—both sessions are designed to be run online or on-site, depending on travel and on-the-ground conditions.
The two sessions together would total fewer than 89 days to eliminate the need for a student visas required for US students (and we will work with international students where possible) and a later start date to maximize the time students can spend on-site.
Decisions about whether a session will be offered online vs. onsite will be made in a timely manner so families can make travel arrangements. Sessions will not be offered both online and on-site simultaneously. Check the Fall 2020 Flexible Study Abroad Program page soon for updates.
Students can take 2-3 courses in each session and academic integrity and contact hours/hours of effort will be preserved. Only existing IES Abroad courses will be available in each location. A set list of courses will be determined; all courses may not be available.
New student safety guidelines, based upon COVID-19 impact, will be implemented at each host location, supporting and fostering as safe an academic and living environment as possible:
- On-site class structure will be adapted for social distancing measures.
- Housing in apartments or residence halls only, to ensure proper space is available if self-quarantine is required and to not expose homestay families.
- In-country field trips only, reflective of the host city and country travel protocols, to avoid possible quarantines.
- Independent student travel will be limited.
Optional CommunitIES designed to foster cultural exchange and learning as well as help students connect with each other.
Pricing will be differentiated according to type of learning (on-site or online) and the amount of time spent in online or on-site learning with the ability to withdraw up to 24 hours before program start date and receive a full refund, including $500 confirmation deposit, per our Fall 2020 Refund Policy.

Customized Programs
At this time, we will continue to accept requests for a proposal for a Customized Programs at all locations.

We are working feverishly on the details of these programs and will get information on our website as soon as possible. We have not yet communicated these options with your students. As soon as we have any more information to share, we will update you and reach out to your students.

April 20, 2020

Summer 2020: Virtual World DiscoverIES

At IES Abroad, we’ve been educating global leaders for 70 years and will continue to do so during this time of uncertainty. Currently, the best way to do this is virtually, which is why we are delighted to announce the development of our online summer program Virtual World DiscoverIES!

This program was created with careful consideration of students’ needs while showcasing our world-class faculty and academics from abroad. In other words, we want students ‘here’ (at home) to be able to feel like they’re learning from ‘over there’ (abroad).

Courses were chosen because of positive evaluations and optimization of online delivery from their locations by our top-rated faculty. Special consideration was given to offer courses that showcased a wide variety of Centers and disciplines and that offer unique international content.

Virtual World DiscoverIES Program Details

One six-week online program running from June 15 – July 31, 2020.
Students will choose one or two 3-credit courses from the program offerings, so they can, for example, take a course from Tokyo and a course from London on this one program.
They can earn 3 (one course) or 6 credits (two courses). The course fee is $1125 per 3-credit course.
Just as in our standard programming, students from multiple colleges and universities will learn inside and outside of the ‘classroom’ together. They will be able to partake in cultural activities, broaden their networks, and feel a sense of community that IES Abroad seeks to foster on all its programs.
After students complete their online summer courses on this IES Abroad program, they officially become an IES Abroad alum and a part of a network of more than 140,000 IES Abroad alumni.
As extra inspiration to go abroad “in real life”, students on the program will receive $1,000 off of a future fall/spring term or $500 off a future summer term—similar to our ‘consecutive term discount’. Learn more on our Scholarships & Aid page.

Course Offerings

Students can elect to take one or two of the following courses:

AH223 - Great 20th Century Artists of Catalonia: Picasso, Dalí, and Miró (Barcelona | English-Taught)
AH/SO/US320 - Rome as a Living Museum (Rome | English-Taught)
AN362 - Japanese Popular Culture (Tokyo | English-Taught)
FI355 - International Finance (London | English-Taught)
FS/EU335 - Visiting Europe in Cinema (London | English-Taught)
HS353 - Histories and Legends of Paris (Paris | French-Taught)
IB329 - Business Ethics (London | English-Taught)
IB334 - The Business of Sports in Europe (Barcelona | English-Taught)
IB355 - Managing Fashion and Luxury Companies (Milan | English-Taught)
IB/IR393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice (Barcelona | English-Taught)
LT326 - Indigenous Literature (Quito | Spanish-Taught)
LT340 - Modern Irish Literature: Identity, Selfhood and the State (Dublin | English-Taught)
PO370 - EU-US Relations: A Multi-dimensional Partnership (Freiburg | English-Taught)
PS/SO340 - The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination (Vienna | English-Taught)
SO/HE323 - Endemic Diseases & Their Socioeconomic Context (Cape Town | English-Taught)
SO/AN350 - Organized Crime in Italy: Mafias, Murders and Business (Rome | English-Taught)
SO352 - British Youth Culture (London | English-Taught)
SP380 - Advanced Spanish Language Usage for Business (Madrid | Spanish-Taught)
SP486 - Spanish for Health Sciences (Madrid | Spanish-Taught)

We look forward to welcoming your students on this new programming this summer! Should you have any questions, please contact your IES Abroad representative.

April 7, 2020

Important Update Regarding Visa Processing for Fall 2020

In working with our consulates, we have learned that several countries have closed their consulates to the public and have suspended the processing of non-emergency visas (for Fall 2020) due to the global spread of COVID-19. This includes student visas utilized by our students to study abroad.

Students who have been admitted to study abroad in the locations below have all been notified of the suspension of visa processing and given instructions on how to proceed for the time being. It is our belief that if restrictions are lifted, there will be a quick turnaround time for students, so we are advising them to compile materials in anticipation. Below is a summary of the information that was sent to students enrolled in programs for the Fall 2020 semester in the countries listed.

Argentina
Students have been informed that the Argentinian government has suspended any visa applications. Students have been asked to continue collecting the necessary documents to apply and be ready to make a visa appointment to attend as soon as they become available.

Austria
Students have been informed the Austrian government has suspended any visa and residence permit applications. New York consulate’s Steubenville consular days, and any consular days in Chicago, will be postponed or potentially canceled. Students have been asked to continue collecting the necessary documents to apply and be ready to make a visa appointment to attend as soon as they become available.

France
Students have been informed the French government has suspended processing of long-stay visas. Students are currently unable to apply to Campus France, complete the Long Stay Visa application online, or set up an appointment with VFS Global. Students have been asked to prepare materials and documentation needed to apply and be ready to begin the application process as soon as visa processing resumes.

Germany (non-U.S. citizens only)
Non-U.S. citizens have been informed that German consulates in the United States have suspended all visa applications until at least April 30, 2020. Students have been instructed to research whether they need to apply for a visa, based on their citizenship. If they do, they should work on preparing the required materials while they wait for the consulates to reopen. If they are not currently residing in the United States, they should also work to determine whether German consulates in their country of residence are currently processing visas. IES Abroad will monitor the situation and inform students as soon as visa application processing resumes.

Italy
Students have been informed the Italian government has suspended processing of all non-urgent visas. Students applying for their visa independently have been instructed to continue preparing materials and book an appointment at the consulate for mid-June through late July. We have every intention of continuing to provide our Visa ACCeSS service unless the situation prohibits and have asked all students who plan to apply through Visa ACCeSS to continue preparing their materials to send to IES Abroad in Chicago. We will update students if this changes.

South Africa
Students have been informed the South African government has currently suspended all immigration services and closed all consulates in the United States until further notice, which includes the processing of South African visas or study permits. Students have been instructed to continue compiling all visa application documentation where possible and await further instructions from IES Abroad when consulates open and continue regular visa processing again.

Spain
Students have been informed the Spanish embassy in Washington D.C. announced recently that they will only see Spanish citizens for “essential and emergency activities.” This regulation appears to affect all Spanish consulates in the United States. Students applying for their visa independently have been instructed to continue preparing materials and book an appointment at the consulate for mid-June through late July. We have every intention of continuing to provide our Visa ACCeSS service unless the situation prohibits and have asked all students who plan to apply through Visa ACCeSS to continue preparing their materials to send to IES Abroad in Chicago. We will update students if this changes.

United Kingdom
Students have been informed they are currently unable to apply for visas to the United Kingdom from within the United States. This is due to the closure of both the USCIS Application Support Centers where students complete biometrics and the VFS Global locations where visas are processed. This affects any student participating in an internship (full- or part-time), those participating in a service learning placement, any student on our London Health Practice & Policy program, and certain nationalities of international students on any IES Abroad program in the UK. All non-U.S. citizens should use the “Check if you need a UK Visa” tool on the gov.uk website to determine whether they need a visa to study in the UK and will be affected by this. Students are not able to begin the visa application process until 90 days before their program begins (early to mid-June) and have been asked to await further instructions on the status of UK visa processing.

The consulates have given no clear timeline on when they will reopen and resume regular visa processing. Students have been asked to continue to pay close attention to any emails from IES Abroad as we will send updates and further instructions as soon as they become available.

In response to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19, for all upcoming Fall 2020 standard study abroad and internship programs only, IES Abroad will issue a full refund of our program fees (including the $500 Confirmation Deposit and the $125 Visa ACCeSS processing fee, if applicable) for any payment submitted directly to IES Abroad for students who decide to withdraw up to the day before the program’s official published arrival date. We will not refund any consular application fees. This policy means that IES Abroad—not students, parents, or schools—will bear those costs billed by IES Abroad in the event of a last-minute withdrawal from Fall 2020 programs. See full details of our Fall 2020 Refund Policy.

April 2, 2020

Fall 2020 Application Deadline Extensions

We continue to monitor health, safety, travel, and visa situations worldwide and remain hopeful that we can offer students programming should circumstances allow.

With that, we have extended many of our Fall 2020 program application deadlines. We hope this additional time will give our college/university partners and students some flexibility in making plans and completing requirements for the upcoming fall semester.

Browse the updated list of Fall 2020 application deadlines.

12 Tips to Optimize Online Learning

Though students may no longer be living in their host city abroad, they still have the opportunity to learn from their professors, stay connected with their classmates, and continue the relationships that began abroad. One of the great lessons of study abroad is learning to embrace the unknown. If anyone can make the most of this time, it’s our students and us together.

That said, online learning is completely different from learning in a traditional classroom. So, we’ve crafted some quick tips to help students make the most of online learning. Check them out!

April 1, 2020

Important Update about IES Abroad Summer 2020 Programs

As a result of current global travel restrictions and shelter-in-place directives around the world, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all standard IES Abroad Summer 2020 programs.

This decision was made in the best interests of the health and safety of our students and staff, and after many weeks of closely following advisories from the CDC and WHO, as well as with guidance from our Crisis Management Team, outside experts, our on-site Center staff, and health professionals.

In managing the COVID-19 crisis, our ongoing priorities are the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff worldwide; delivering high-quality academic programming; and, to the best of our ability, providing academic credit to students and schools.

We are still hard at work preparing for when travel restrictions are lifted. Starting today, we invite you to defer your acceptance to future terms, including Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021. If you are interested in a future term abroad with us—whether that be in the fall, spring, or next summer—call us at 800.995.2300 to get started.

In addition, for students still interested in opportunities for Summer 2020, we have begun examining the possibility of offering a limited number of IES Abroad courses online, taught by faculty from our Centers abroad. We will provide more information on these opportunities as they become available.

March 31, 2020

Spring 2020: Academic Policy Modification Update

We understand that you are facing unprecedented challenges and pressures in completing your semester online. Considering the exceptional circumstances, you may withdraw from one or more courses (and earn a grade of “W” on your transcript) or take one or more of your courses on a Pass/Fail basis, with approval from your home school. The deadline for requesting modifications to your courses is one week before the end of your program. Please note that this request will only affect the grade listed on your transcript. An approved withdrawal will not change the number of courses listed in your MyIESAbroad account or on your transcript. No refunds will be granted to students for withdrawing from one or more courses.

If you are considering withdrawing from one or more courses, it is your responsibility to consider how this may affect your ability to stay on track with graduation requirements or receive financial aid. Please know that dropping below 12 credits could have implications for receiving financial aid so be sure to speak with your financial aid advisor or study abroad advisor at your home school if you have concerns about this.

If you would like to request a change to your course enrollment, follow the steps below. Please note that we are seeking your home school’s approval, but in some cases, you may need to discuss individual approval with your home school. Also note that your home school’s policies will supersede IES Abroad policies regarding Pass/Fail and withdrawals and will determine whether your request is approved.

STEP 1
Go to www.IESabroad.org/myiesabroad, and log into your MyIESabroad account

STEP 2
Click on the link for the Spring 2020 Course Enrollment Modification Form. We’ve added multiple versions of this form to your account—fill out one for each course you’d like to either withdraw from or request to take Pass/Fail.

STEP 3
Complete the 3-question form, and click submit (one per course).

STEP 4
After consulting with your home school, we will contact you to confirm whether your request is approved or further approval is needed.

March 27, 2020

MADRID

Several Spring 2020 Madrid students have reported being tested and confirmed being COVID-19 positive. Based on these reports, our medical consultant has advised us that it is best for students to practice social distancing with others. Further, if students live with someone who is immunocompromised, it may be best for students to self-quarantine at this time. This decision should be made in consultation with your health provider.
For Madrid students who have returned home, and if they experience fever, cough, tightness of the chest, or difficulty breathing, please seek medical attention and notify IES Abroad if they are diagnosed with COVID-19.
We also shared prevention steps to help protect against exposure to the coronavirus.
Communications were sent to Madrid students, their parents, and home schools.

March 25, 2020

IES Abroad Internships - Suspension of Summer 2020 Internship Programs

IES Internships has decided to suspend all of its Summer 2020 programs across locations. Due to concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak, it has become difficult for our third-party employer partners to provide quality internships. Whereas some study abroad courses may be possible to complete remotely, unfortunately, the hands-on nature of our internship programming does not lend itself easily to virtual platforms, thus making us unable to offer high-quality placements.

Our goal remains to provide high-quality, meaningful internships and the current challenges caused by COVID-19 make that goal unachievable. We can assist you in finding an alternative internship program for a future term.

Future options include:

Study Abroad with a Part-Time Internship - Participate in a part-time internship in addition to academic coursework as part of a fall or spring semester-long study abroad program. This option is available in 20+ locations.
Full-Time Semester IES Internship - Like the summer internship, this option offers full-time work hours and a three-credit IES Internships seminar, but takes place over the course of 12+ weeks and is available in five locations during fall or spring semester (Barcelona, Dublin, London, Milan, or Rome)
Future Summer IES Internship - A full-time internship during the summer of 2021 in any location where IES Abroad offers summer internship programs.

IES Internships is here to help you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the suspension of these programs and/or the alternative program options mentioned above. Additionally, if you were awarded IES Abroad scholarships or aid towards your program, please consult with your IES Internships advisor who can connect with our scholarships team.

We recommend that you discuss billing and academic credit issues with your home school study abroad office.

If you were required to obtain a visa for your internship location, please contact the issuing organization (e.g., consulate) and if you have booked air travel, please direct questions to the airline through which you booked.

March 23, 2020

CHRISTCHURCH

The University of Canterbury (UC) emailed all IES Abroad direct enrollment students following yesterday’s announcement of raising the alert level and instructing all people to remain at home for a period of at least four weeks.
The email from UC included the following:
- Advice for students departing New Zealand
- Information for students who are staying in New Zealand
- UC teaching and learning moving forward
Please note that the IES Abroad program end date is March 27, 2020.
- Day-to-day care provided from this date forward is via the UC Study Abroad office, UC Care, and the Ilam apartments community team.
Communications were sent to Christchurch students, their parents, and home schools.

March 22, 2020

NEW ZEALAND

Tonight, the Prime Minister of New Zealand announced that the country’s alert level has been lifted to level three and will be elevated to level four (the highest level) in 48 hours. Level four instructs people to stay at home, severely limits travel, and closes all non-essential businesses (grocery stores, clinics, and pharmacies will remain open).
We understand that international departures will continue. Some students have already departed New Zealand and many others are departing within the next 24 hours.
- For students still in New Zealand, we encourage them to depart as soon as possible given the rise to alert level four. If students have trouble with booking travel through their original ticketing agent, they can reach out to AXA Assistance for additional help.
Students should continue to communicate with IES Abroad staff in country and follow any directives or communications.
Online instruction will continue through the remainder of the semester for the University of Auckland and University of Canterbury courses, so students will be able to finish their academic work remotely.
Communications were sent to Auckland and Christchurch students, their parents, and home schools.

March 20, 2020

AUCKLAND

Students recently received a message from Mai Al Sharaf, the International Program Manager at the University of Auckland, that the Summer Film Production Program has been cancelled. She explained that the difficult decision to cancel the program was made in light of the “rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic,” which “has created significant disruptions in global travel.”
If students are still interested in studying abroad this summer, they should contact their IES Abroad Advisor to discuss other IES Abroad program options. Any change would be subject to approval of their home institution.
Because this is a direct enrollment program, students’ Summer 2020 enrollment with IES Abroad will be cancelled. If students have already submitted their confirmation deposit, this will be refunded and they will not be responsible for any costs to IES Abroad or the University of Auckland.
Communications were sent to confirmed Auckland Summer 2020 students, their parents, and home schools.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

To follow up on our program suspension message for Australia and New Zealand, we have important information regarding online courses.
Many of the universities we work with have decided to offer all or some of their courses online. We have developed a new resource on our website to provide you with up-to-date information on which schools are offering online courses. Universities are continuously updating their policies and online course lists. We will continue to update this resource as changes are made. There may be limitations on particular class offerings at some institutions. Please check with your IES Abroad Center staff for more information.
If you want to study remotely, you may do so with your home college/university’s authorization. If interested, follow these fast and simple steps to request authorization to take your IES Abroad courses online remotely from home.
- STEP 1: Go to www.IESabroad.org/myiesabroad and log into your MyIESabroad account
- STEP 2: Click on the link for the Spring 2020 Online Learning Form
- STEP 3: Complete the 5-question form and click submit
- STEP 4: IES Abroad will contact your home college/university, and we will follow up with you once we receive their response.
Note: Some direct enrollment, partner university courses, internships, service learning, and other experiential learning may not be available online. Please refer to our Partner University Online Course Status webpage and/or contact your IES Abroad Center staff for more information.
Communications were sent to Auckland, Christchurch, and Sydney students, their parents, and home schools.

CAMBRIDGE

Students recently received a message from Geeta Kasanga, the Deputy Director of International Programmes at Pembroke-King’s College, that the Cambridge Pembroke-King’s Summer Programme has been cancelled. Director Kasanga explained that the difficult decision to cancel the program was to account for “the international uncertainty facing us all with the spread of COVID-19.”
If students still interested in studying abroad this summer, they should contact their IES Abroad Advisor to discuss other IES Abroad program options in London, Dublin, or elsewhere. Any change would be subject to approval of their home institution.
Because this is a direct enrollment program, students’ Summer 2020 enrollment with IES Abroad will be cancelled. If students have already submitted their confirmation deposit, this will be refunded and they will not be responsible for any costs to IES Abroad or Cambridge.
Communications were sent to confirmed Cambridge Summer 2020 students, their parents, and home schools.

LONDON
This message was sent to London Direct Enrollment University College London confirmed students.

University College London (UCL) has canceled both Session 1 and Session 2 of their Summer 2020 term. UCL explained that the difficult decision to cancel the program was made in “response to the rapid spread of COVID-19, following advice and guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE), the National Health Service (NHS) and World Health Organization (WHO).”
Because this is a direct enrollment program, students’ Summer 2020 University College London enrollment with IES Abroad will be cancelled. If they have already submitted the confirmation deposit, this will be refunded and students will not be responsible for any costs to IES Abroad or University College London.
If students are still interested in studying abroad this summer, they should contact their IES Abroad Advisor to discuss other IES Abroad program options in London, Dublin, or elsewhere. Any change would be subject to approval of students’ home institution.
Communications were sent to confirmed UCL students, parents, and home schools.

March 19, 2020

RABAT

After closely following advisories from the US Centers for Disease Control regarding the coronavirus, and with guidance from our Crisis Management Team, outside experts, our on-site Center staff, and health professionals, and in light of the State of Emergency declared by the Moroccan government, we are announcing the suspension of programming at the IES Abroad Rabat Center.
Tonight, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission to Morocco have arranged special chartered flights for U.S. citizens and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents departing Marrakech International Airport on Friday, March 20, 2020, beginning at 11:30 a.m. local time. These flights will include a Marrakech to London Heathrow leg, and an onward connecting flight to one of 10 cities in the United States.
- The IES Abroad Rabat Center will provide additional information to students about these flights, the costs, how to pay for them, and how to book them.
- Students will be directed by IES Abroad staff to depart Morocco starting tomorrow, March 20, 2020, and return home.
In the absence of the above flights, leaving Morocco, at present, remains complicated by an official suspension of international air travel into and out of the country by the Moroccan government. Because of the official suspension and the daily changing availability of international commercial flights, we recommend students and their families submit a request for the flight options above ASAP.
Students may continue to seek flight options on their own. For students who have difficulty booking their flights due to the current suspension of international air traffic by the Moroccan government, they will be allowed to continue in their IES Abroad homestay until they have their flight booked or when the Moroccan government’s suspension on international air traffic is lifted, whichever is sooner.
Students should pay attention to announcements from the IES Abroad Rabat Center staff regarding options and to avoid delaying bookings, and to follow the US Embassy on social media for important updates.
IES Abroad Rabat has been holding its courses online since Monday of this week to be compliant with a Moroccan government order to suspend in-person instruction. Online instruction will continue through the remainder of the semester so students are able to finish their IES Abroad Rabat courses at home. We have also confirmed that students taking a course at Mohammed V University will be able to complete their courses from home.
Communications have been sent to Rabat students, their parents, and home schools.

TOKYO

IES Abroad decided to suspend our Spring 2020 programs in Tokyo due to concerns about student health related to the global coronavirus pandemic and specific conditions in Japan.
We would like to share some alternative options for students’ study abroad experience. Before making a decision, students should consult their school’s study abroad office to discuss which program options they will approve. We request that students confirm their decision with us by 4 p.m. CT on Friday April 3, 2020. These options include:
- Transfer to the IES Abroad Tokyo Summer Program
- Take courses online: As part of this suspension, we will offer IES Abroad-taught courses online so students can complete their coursework virtually and receive as much of their anticipated academic credit. IES Abroad Tokyo faculty are preparing to teach their area studies courses online from Tokyo. These courses will be recorded and made available to students via IES Abroad’s Moodle learning platform. Students may register for 15-18 online credits and will receive an IES Abroad transcript with official grades at the end of the semester. The Social Organization of Japan course and Anime & Manga course will not be taught in Spring 2020. Program details were shared, and more details and instructions about how to log in and access materials will be provided to students if they chose this option.

We recommend that students discuss billing, financial aid, and academic credit issues with their home school study abroad office as soon as possible, as some schools charge tuition and in light of potential academic credit issues and meeting course requirements.
Should students choose to transfer to the Tokyo Summer Program or elect the online credit option, they will need the approval of their school’s study abroad office.
Communications were sent to confirmed Tokyo students, parents, and home schools.

March 18, 2020

Update on Partner University Online Courses

As the coronavirus situation continues to develop, many of the universities we work with have decided to offer all or some of their courses online. For students who are taking courses at a partner university, we have developed a new resource on our website to provide students with up-to-date information on which schools are offering online courses.
The situation is quickly evolving, and universities are continuously updating their policies and online course lists. We will continue to update this resource as changes are made.
There may be limitations on particular class offerings at some institutions and how and when courses will be delivered will also vary greatly. Students should check with IES Abroad Center staff for more information.
Communications were shared with students who take some or all courses at a partner university, their parents, and home schools.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Given the rapidly evolving situation around the world in how different nations are managing the challenges of containing the spread of COVID-19, we have made the decision to suspend programming at our Centers in Australia and New Zealand.
Students are directed to depart these countries by Friday, March 27th, and return to the United States. We strongly encourage students to leave sooner, if possible. Students in independent housing should understand that if they remain, the Center will not be able to support them. This also applies to students who leave their program location for another location outside of the United States.
We are in discussions with university partners in these two countries to explore and identify ways for students to complete their host university courses online, also with the goal of providing as much anticipated academic credit as possible. More information on the current availability and planning for online coursework is available on our website.
Students who are not US citizens: We are very sensitive to the fact that some students who are not US citizens will not be able to return to their home countries or to the United States. These students may remain in their current housing and will continue to receive IES Abroad support services to the extent possible in their program location.
Communications were sent to Australia and New Zealand students, their parents, and home schools.

BARCELONA

Several Spring 2020 students have reported being tested and confirmed being COVID-19 positive. Based on these reports, our medical consultant has advised us that it is best for students to practice social distancing with others. Further, if students live with someone who is immunocompromised, it may be best for students to self-quarantine at this time. This decision should be made in consultation with your health provider.
For Barcelona students still in Barcelona, and experience fever, cough, tightness of the chest or difficulty breathing:
- Inform the Student Affairs Team at the Barcelona Center. Center staff can assist students in scheduling a medical appointment for an examination, if and as needed.
- Remain in their housing until a medical appointment is confirmed by IES Abroad Center staff and isolate yourself while waiting for a specialized healthcare professional to arrive.
For Barcelona students who have left Barcelona or returned home, and if they experience any of the above symptoms:
- Please seek medical attention and notify IES Abroad if they are diagnosed with COVID-19.
We also shared prevention steps to help protect against exposure to the coronavirus.
Communications were sent to Barcelona students, their parents, and home schools.

DUBLIN, LONDON & OXFORD – DIRECT ENROLLMENT STUDENTS

University Partner Online Course Update

We are writing to you with an update on our partner universities. As the coronavirus situation continues to develop, many of the universities we work with have decided to offer all or some of their courses online. We have developed a new resource on our website to provide you with up to date information on which schools are offering online courses. Please find this new page here.

The situation is quickly evolving, and universities are continuously updating their policies and online course lists. We will continue to update this resource as changes are made. There may be limitations on particular class offerings at some institutions. Please check with your IES Abroad Center staff for more information.

If you want to study remotely, you may do so with your home college/university’s authorization. If interested, follow these fast and simple steps to request authorization to take your IES Abroad courses online remotely from home.

STEP 1: Go to www.IESabroad.org/myIESabroad, and log into your MyIESabroad account
STEP 2: Click on the link for the Spring 2020 Online Learning Request Form
STEP 3: Complete the 5-question form and click submit
STEP 4: IES Abroad will contact your home college/university, and we will follow up with you once we receive their response.

Note: Some direct enrollment, partner university courses, internships, service learning, and other experiential learning may not be available online. Please contact your IES Abroad Center staff for more information.

NEW YORK

IES Abroad has decided to suspend our Summer 2020 Internship Program in New York due to concerns about student health related to the coronavirus outbreak.
IES Abroad is here to help students with any questions or concerns they may have concerning the suspension of the program in New York.
For students who intended to earn credit for this program, we recommend that they also discuss academic concerns with their home school as soon as possible.
It is also important for students to discuss this information with their families as soon as possible.
Please know that we are still here to assist students in their career readiness, offering résumé and cover letter reviews, as well as mock interviews.
Communications were sent to New York interns and those interested in interning in New York, their parents, and home schools.

March 16, 2020

LONDON

As students have all been informed yesterday, IES Abroad decided to suspend all Spring 2020 programs in London.
While students have been encouraged to leave as soon as possible, students who were not able to secure flights immediately can email the Center staff to address questions about housing, field study, academic programming, etc.
All IES Abroad courses will be going online starting next Monday, March 23rd.
If students haven’t heard from their professors already, they should expect to hear from them in the next few days. As we clarify synchronous teaching slots, we’ll issue a new timetable, and our professors will also be contacting students to clarify the plan moving forward for each lesson/assessment. Note that approaches to finishing courses, based on the discipline and other unique factors, may vary significantly. In short, there will not be a one-size-fits-all approach.
Because there are no classes running at the Center, staff are mostly working off-site, and Center hours will be reduced.
While many student questions will be addressed in the days and weeks ahead by our headquarters in Chicago, the London Center and faculty can help as much as possible.
Communications were sent to London students, their parents, and home schools.

PARIS

This evening at 8 p.m., French President Macron addressed the nation and announced new measures to combat the spread of Covid-19.
As of Tuesday, March 17th, at noon, individuals must shelter in place and will not be allowed to leave their homes except to shop for food and for medical care.
People working in essential services will be allowed to go to work. This country-wide quarantine will last for at least 15 days, beginning on March 17th.
For students who will need to get to one of the Paris airports this week, news reports indicate that public transportation will continue to function (albeit with fewer trains and subways than usual), so please check the public transportation schedule before leaving for the airport. To date, departing students have had no difficulty reserving taxis and Ubers, and there are still flights going from Paris to the United States as of this writing. Nevertheless, students should be sure to check with their airline before heading to the airport.
Communications were sent to Paris Business & International Affairs and Paris French Studies students, their parents, and home schools.

SANTIAGO

After closely following advisories from the CDC regarding the coronavirus and with guidance from our Crisis Management Team, outside experts, our on-site center staff, and health professionals, we are announcing today the additional suspensions of the following Spring 2020 programs in South America:
- Multi-Location Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago
- Santiago Health Studies
- Santiago Politics, Social Justice & Language
In managing the coronavirus crisis, our priority has been the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff worldwide, delivering high-quality academic programming, and to the best of our ability, providing academic credit to students and schools.
The Chilean government will suspend all inbound international flights as of Wednesday, March 18th, and Argentina has suspended many flight routes, as well. As such, students are directed by IES Abroad to depart Argentina and Chile by Wednesday, March 18, while flights are available and return to the United States. We strongly encourage students to leave sooner, if possible. This also applies to students who leave their program location for another location outside of the United States.
As part of these suspensions, we will offer IES Abroad-taught courses online so that students can complete their coursework virtually and receive as much of their anticipated academic credit as possible.
Our university partners in Chile also are committed to our students’ academic continuity and will allow students to complete most university courses online, with the exception of highly experiential courses. More information will follow regarding these types of direct enrollment programs.
Students who are not US citizens: We are very sensitive to the fact that some students who are not US citizens will not be able to return to their home countries or to the United States. These students may remain in their current housing and will continue to receive IES Abroad support services to the extent possible in their program location.
We understand that this decision may disappoint some students, but the situation in each of the countries listed above continues to deteriorate rapidly. We believe remaining in these countries can no longer satisfy the cultural experiences intended in studying abroad. There is a significant risk of health care systems in Chile becoming overwhelmed, and students not being able to access health care assistance, if needed. With countries closing borders and airlines suspending flights, we encourage students to act as quickly as possible.
Communications were sent to students on our Santiago and Multi-Location Emerging Economies students, their parents, and home schools.

March 15, 2020

Suspension of IES Abroad Programs in Europe, Ecuador, Argentina, and South Africa

IES Abroad is sending you this very important message regarding the coronavirus and IES Abroad programs worldwide.

After closely following advisories from the CDC regarding the coronavirus and with guidance from our Crisis Management Team, outside experts, our on-site Center staff, and health professionals, we are announcing today the suspension of programming at Centers in the following countries:

Argentina
Austria
Ecuador
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
South Africa
Spain
UK

In managing the coronavirus crisis, our priority has been the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff worldwide, delivering high-quality academic programming, and to the best of our ability, providing academic credit to students and schools.

As such, students will be directed by IES Abroad to depart these countries by Saturday, March 21, and return to the United States. We strongly encourage students to leave sooner, if possible. Students in independent housing should understand that if they remain, the Center will not be able to support them. This also applies to students who leave their program location for another location outside of the United States.

As part of these suspensions, we will offer IES Abroad-taught programs online so that students can complete their coursework virtually and receive as much of their anticipated academic credit as possible.

We are in discussions with university partners in these countries to explore and identify ways for students to complete their host university courses online, also with the goal of providing as much anticipated academic credit as possible. More information will follow regarding these types of direct enrollment programs.

Students who are not US citizens

We are very sensitive to the fact that some students who are not US citizens will not be able to return to their home countries or to the United States. These students may remain in their current housing and will continue to receive IES Abroad support services to the extent possible in their program location.

We understand that this decision may disappoint some students, but the situation in each of the countries listed above continues to deteriorate rapidly. We believe remaining in these countries can no longer satisfy the cultural experiences intended in studying abroad. There is a significant risk of health care systems in Europe becoming overwhelmed and students not being able to access health care assistance, if needed. With countries closing borders and airlines suspending flights, we encourage students to act as quickly as possible.

Should you have any questions about this decision, please contact IES Abroad Student Services at 312.944.1750.

March 15, 2020

RABAT

The Moroccan government announced that international flights into and out of Morocco would be suspended until further notice.
IES Abroad will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep students updated as to any new information we receive either from the Moroccan government, the US Embassy in Rabat, and our global risk management firm.
As soon as the international flight restrictions are lifted, students wishing to return to the US may resume with their plans to do so. Until then and after, we will continue the program as previously announced, with classes going online as of tomorrow, Monday, March 16th.
We will delay mid-term exams to the week of March 23rd. We will also be implementing regular check-in with students.
We will continue to plan small-scale indoor activities that are outside of the Center for smaller groups of students as we are able. We also plan to continue the desert trip and are, in fact, rescheduling it to March 19-21.
We also shared precautionary and preventative measures if students begin to feel unwell.
Communications were sent to Rabat students, their parents, and home schools.

March 14, 2020

BERLIN

As a follow-up to the meeting with Berlin students today:
- Students should email Berlin Center staff to let us know (1) if and when students will leave Berlin and (2) where they plan to stay in the U.S. or elsewhere. We need this information to determine their time zone for online teaching.
- The IES Abroad Berlin Center is open with staff to support our students. For the class sessions scheduled today and tomorrow, the faculty will be on-site for classes, but students’ attendance is optional.
- We will move spring break to next week, with no classes taking place from March 16-20. This will give students some time to settle in and catch up with their course readings.
- Online class sessions will start on Monday, March 23. We will contact students with all necessary information. The semester will end on May 30, as planned.
Communications have been sent to Berlin students, their parents, and home schools.

ECUADOR

The Ecuadorian Government has issued a decree that will suspend all international flight arrivals starting at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 15th. Additionally, the deadline for all final outbound departures from Ecuador will be on Monday, March 16th. The flight suspension period will be at least 21 days, but it could be extended.
This decree was enacted to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Ecuador currently has 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19, so these are steps intended to protect citizens and visitors in Ecuador.
All IES Abroad programs are continuing, and we will be offering online instruction. Students who choose to depart Ecuador may do so and continue both IES Abroad and USFQ/GAIAS classes online from their final destination.
Given the newly announced restrictions for international arrivals, and their unknown end date, we anticipate that a number of students will choose to leave Ecuador on or before Monday, March 16th. With such a short deadline, students choosing to depart the country should start the process as soon as possible to obtain availability on an outbound flight.
For students who choose to stay in Ecuador, our on-site staff will be available to provide health, safety, and academic support.
Students currently in the Galápagos Islands studying on the GAIAS Program are booked on midday flights occurring on Sunday, March 15th, from San Cristobal to Quito that will allow sufficient time to board one of the United States-bound flights that depart late Sunday evening or on Monday.
Communications were sent to Quito and Galápagos Islands students, parents, and home schools.

ENGLAND & IRELAND

We’re writing to you in response to the new directive issued today by the US government. Based upon the information we have at this time, it appears that all travel from the United Kingdom and Ireland will be suspended, effective midnight on Monday, March 16th. The same exclusions that are a part of the already existing European travel restrictions appear to also apply to the UK and Ireland, which means that the directive does not appear to apply to US citizens.
However, individuals trying to return to the United States who are not US citizens will be banned, starting at midnight on Monday, March 16th.
We anticipate that US citizens returning to the US may be subject to inspections or examinations, but those details appear to not have been fully defined, as of this moment.
Both US citizens and non-US citizens on IES Abroad programs can remain in their current location and stay in their current housing. Students who choose to stay in their current location can continue classes from their location and receive the same student health, safety and academic support you have been receiving throughout the spring term.
If you wish to return to the United States, you have two options:
- Option 1: Try to book a flight with the airline you already have a ticket with.
- Option 2: Book your flight back to the US via AXA, a partner of our student health insurer, CISI.
- As a reminder, non-US citizens have only until midnight on Monday to leave Europe.
- Please inform a Center staff member of your plans, including any travel itineraries. If necessary, Center staff members are also available to talk about options for online learning, where possible.
Communications have been sent to London, Oxford, and Dublin students, their parents, and home schools.

NEW ZEALAND

The Prime Minister of New Zealand has announced that all persons arriving in New Zealand for the next 16 days will need to self-isolate for 14 days. Because students are already in New Zealand, they can go about their studies and life in New Zealand without needing to self-isolate. This restriction goes into effect at midnight on Sunday, March 15th. The government will review this practice at the end of the 16 days to ascertain if it should be extended.
Instruction at the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury are continuing, and IES Abroad programs in Auckland and Christchurch continue to operate normally. IES Abroad has no plans to suspend or cancel our programs in New Zealand.
Due to these newly imposed travel restrictions, please consider the following:
- Students should not book flights or travel out of New Zealand unless they are traveling home to the United States with no intention of returning to the country.
- We strongly discourage independent travel during this period. If students do travel, they should carefully consider where they travel during the break; ideally, only travel in the South Island and avoid large crowds, concerts etc.
- If students have friends or family planning trips to New Zealand in the coming months, we would strongly discourage them from doing so during this period of uncertainty regarding travelers entering the country. We do not know when the self-isolation directive will expire and the new travel entry requirements could effectively cancel their travel arrangements.
Communications were sent to Auckland and Christchurch students, their parents, and home schools.

RABAT

Moroccan government has mandated the suspension of in-person instruction and our classes will be online, starting Monday, March 16.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 into Morocco from Europe, the Moroccan government has been halting air traffic between Morocco and certain countries in Europe, which includes Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands. No end date has yet been given for this ban on flights.
At present, direct flights between Morocco and the United States are unaffected. We also know that, as of today, other major airports in the Mediterranean region have no flight restrictions between Morocco and the United States, e.g. Istanbul. However, knowing that many of our students book flights with stops in Europe, I wanted students to be aware of the situation and of the US Embassy’s current statement.
We intend to continue our program to the scheduled program end date of May 16. By that time, the ban may be lifted. If it is not lifted, however, or if a student’s home school in the U.S. and/or their parents feel they should return home earlier, they will have to work with the airline on rerouting their trip home. If the airline has difficulty finding a route for the student and/or does not propose a route that they like, the student may also utilize AXA, a service provided through our student health insurance plan, to find other options.
As a reminder, the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Morocco remains low in comparison to most countries in Europe and the U.S.
The Center staff is scheduling a meeting with on-site students on Sunday night or Monday to have further discuss and/or ask questions.
Communications have been sent to Rabat students, their parents, and home schools.

March 13, 2020

AMSTERDAM

The Netherlands has decided to suspend all activity in academic centers, including local universities in Amsterdam, in light of the recent COVID-19 situation, and to cancel events or gatherings with more than 100 participants. This suspension will be effective starting March 13 and ending March 31.
All three of our local partner universities, the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), The Vrije Universiteit (VU), and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) are affected by this mandate.
Students should comply with this requirement and cease attendance at their partner university courses as instructed.
IES Abroad Amsterdam staff is actively working with the partner universities to understand the implications on course completion and academic credit for our students and will be in touch with updates.
- University of Amsterdam (Social Sciences & Humanities Program)
  The University of Amsterdam announced there will be no teaching or exams (unless they can be done online) on the UvA campus from March 13-March 31. The UvA reiterated that they are working on solutions. They are focusing on courses taught in Block 4, for teaching and exam options, and then will consider possibilities for Block 5 courses. Information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
- Vrije Universiteit (Psychology & Science, Law & Criminology, Business & Economics Programs)
  The Vrije Universiteit announced that there will no teaching or exams will take place on the VU Campus from March 13-31. For courses in Block 4, slated to end March 27, any exams scheduled in the week of March 16-20 will be postponed. For the exams in the week of March 23-27 or later, alternatives are being researched. Students will receive information about this from the VU via Canvas on Tuesday, March 17. The VU is also exploring options for Block 5, which starts March 31, though we have no information yet.
- Conservatorium von Amsterdam (Music Program)
  The CvA announced that there will no teaching or exams on their campus from March 13-31. Because of the specialized musical instruction at the CvA, the University is carefully discussing and investigating options with their faculty and will share information as soon as decisions are announced.
IES Abroad Course Update: Online Instruction
As previously shared, we will conduct all IES Abroad classes online from Monday, March 16 through March 30th. Our faculty and staff are prepared for this contingency. There will be no in-person classes offered during this time period.
- Students should expect communications from their instructors with specific instructions regarding how each of their courses will be organized relative to online courses.
- We will be sending out online instruction guidance shortly for students’ reference.
- Students in Amsterdam and students who have returned home the U.S. will be able to access recordings of the IES Abroad courses via Moodle and Big Blue Button.
IES Abroad Center Access
- During this time, we will limit our staff presence in the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center. The Center will be open 9-5 p.m. Staff will be available by email and phone, and we are always available via the IES Abroad Emergency Phone and email.
Ongoing Safety and Prevention
- We urge students to continue to follow the safety precautions sent at the beginning of the virus outbreak to help prevent the unlikely possibility of infection. We strongly discourage you from attending large events in public, avoiding public transportation to the extent practicable, and remaining in your IES housing as much as possible during this time.
Independent Travel Update
- IES Abroad strongly discourages independent travel at this time. If an IES Abroad student engages in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in their IES Abroad host country; and a member of the student’s residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with the student upon their return, then IES Abroad will not require them to accept the traveling IES Abroad student back into their housing. If an objection is registered with IES Abroad, the student returning from travel will be moved to other IES Abroad housing. If no surplus housing is available through the Center, then the traveling student must find their own alternative housing at their own expense for 14 days; or, for the remainder of the IES Abroad program if no alternative housing is available.
In addition, following the request of the Dutch government, please note that most museums in the Netherlands will be closed until the end of March, and any gatherings of more than 100 people will be cancelled (concerts, sporting events, etc).
Communications were sent to Amsterdam students, their parents, and home schools.

BUENOS AIRES

The Argentine government has issued a decree suspending flight arrivals from the United States, Europe, and several countries in Asia for 30 days.
In response, the U.S. Embassy in Argentina released an advisory recommending that U.S. citizens arrange their return flight before the ban impacts travel.
For LASC and ASI students currently staying on-site through the program end date in June or for those finishing the Emerging Economies Program in Chile, this 30-day ban should not impact students’ original itinerary. Both programs end well after the ban expires.
Students who plan to depart their programs early and finish their programs online from the U.S. should consider the impact. If students decide at a later date to leave the program early, they should still have access to flight routes with layovers in another Latin American city before connecting to the United States.
We still have no plans to discontinue our programming and are continuing our courses and operations at IES Abroad Buenos Aires.
Those who have been told to depart the country by their university please know that we will continue to offer most of our classes online, which will allow students to engage and complete their coursework. This includes PEL courses from our partner university, Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA).
Communications have been sent to all Buenos Aires students, their parents, and their home schools.

FREIBURG

We are writing to students with important programmatic updates:
- Field Trip Updates: We have decided to cancel the optional field trip to Berlin for ESS and LAS students. We are working to arrange alternate activities in or near Freiburg during should circumstances permit and will be in touch next week with details. With greatest reluctance, we have also decided to cancel the Member States Trip. We will inform students soon about the resulting changes in the schedule of the EU Program.
- Online Learning: We are actively working with faculty to facilitate online learning options for students who are required to return home, or who receive their home school’s authorization to do so. If this applies to students, please refer to the “Online Learning” message sent by IES Abroad for next steps.
- Continued Support: As a reminder, our staff are available should students need to speak with us regarding any questions or concerns. We can also arrange for students to speak with a counselor if they would like additional support. Please reach out directly to a member of our staff for details.
- Revised Independent Travel Policy: If students engage in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in Germany, and a member of their residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with them upon their return, then the student will be required to move out of their IES Abroad-provided housing and secure alternative housing for 14 days, or in some cases for the remainder of the term, at the student’s expense. Students’ independent travel not only puts their health at risk but also the health of those people with whom they live.
Communications have been sent to all students in Freiburg, their parents, and their home schools, with health updates and precautions.

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

The Ecuadorian Minister of Education addressed the nation last night, announcing that all schools and universities must discontinue in-person instruction starting today, in order to help reduce the risk of Coronavirus exposure to citizens. No end date to the closure was announced.
Our partner university, USFQ, subsequently announced that they would suspend in-person classes at the Cumbaya Campus in Quito, as well as at their GAIAS Center in the Galápagos Islands. The GAIAS Center is committed to the continuity of students’ academic experience; and, as such, faculty will offer courses online when Module 4 begins on March 23rd. Some courses may require changes in assignments because fieldwork will be limited.
Because of the limited internet bandwidth on San Cristobal, GAIAS is requiring all students to relocate to the Quito area until in-person course delivery is suspended.
Spring break will still take place next week, and IES Abroad students may still participate in the Island Hopping Excursion. However, GAIAS will arrange for students’ transfer to Quito on March 21st or 22nd (original return date was April 10th), depending on available flights. Housing will be provided for the full-time students are in Quito.
Students who are required to depart Ecuador by their home universities may participate in their courses from the United States. We expect that USFQ will have online options for Modules 4 and 5, even if the program resumes in-person classes, but not all courses may be offered.
USFQ plans to send students a message providing additional details about the plan described above.
Communications were sent to Galápagos Islands students, their parents, and home schools.

LONDON

For the week of March 16-20:
All Standard IES Abroad London Courses: We have decided to suspend all formal lectures for the coming week. This decision was made based on the following:
- For students who have gone home, we feel it important to give them a little time and space to get more settled and prepared to resume their IES Abroad academic programming.
- For our faculty, who have obviously had little warning and time to prepare their course in a different format, another week of consultation, training, and discussion will result in a better conceived transition.
- For those students still on-site, we will be meeting with faculty members during the normally scheduled class time to work on making content and course materials available online. Although there won’t be any lectures next week, students are welcome to contact any professor and confirm a time to meet during the class time window and when they will be on location.
- For students also taking a single course at City University or Queen Mary, both have committed now to pursuing possible ways for students to complete their courses regardless of location.
- For those internship/service learning students who have left London, the IES Abroad internship/service learning team will be working with students individually regarding remote work and/or new projects.

All Direct Enrollment Students at British Universities: While policies are evolving, we are advocating a path for full course completion, regardless of whether students are in London/Oxford or have gone home. While we are working with these schools and will serve as an appropriate liaison between all parties, it is essential that students read and follow all instructions/directions coming to them directly from the universities.
Online Courses via Big Blue Button: Starting the week of March 23rd, students’ standard IES Abroad courses will be available on Moodle through the use of various tools, and primarily with Big Blue Button (BBB).
Group Work/Presentations for Standard IES Abroad Courses: We are aware that some students have expressed concerns regarding required group work and presentations. Please note students will not be penalized if they are unable to participate in such activities, and that alternate forms of assessment may be organized. The same holds true for final exams/assessments. Please don’t worry about this for now. We will simply need a bit of time to develop a plan.
Communications have been sent to all London students, their parents, and their home schools.

QUITO

The Ecuadorian Minister of Education addressed the nation last night, announcing that all schools and universities must discontinue in-person instruction starting today, in order to help reduce the risk of Coronavirus exposure to citizens. No end date to the closure was announced.
For Students Who Take All/Some of Their Courses at the IES Abroad Center:
- In response to this decree, IES Abroad faculty will begin to offer IES Abroad courses online starting Monday, March 16. Our faculty are thoroughly trained and prepared to provide online instruction via Moodle and Big Blue Button for each IES Abroad course.
- For IES Abroad classes in Quito on Monday and beyond, we ask students to log into their course using Big Blue Button in Moodle at the usual time, if possible. If students are in a time zone that makes it difficult to log in at the time of their class or if they encounter technical difficulties, a recording of the class session will be available. We also shared academic guidelines.
For Students Who Take All/Some of Their Courses at USFQ:
- Our partner university USFQ also announced they will suspend in-person classes at the Cumbaya Campus, as well as at the GAIAS Center in the Galápagos Islands.
- Like IES Abroad, USFQ will be able to deliver nearly all courses online (except for highly experiential courses, such as art- or sports-related courses). They have extensive experience with the use of educational technology.
- The University will begin online learning on Monday, March 16, but some faculty may need additional time to begin delivering their courses online.
- USFQ will email students directly with some additional information, and students can always reach out to their professors there.
The Center may have limited opening hours starting next week. Our on-site staff will share that information in future communications, but know our staff remain available to students when and as needed via phone and email.
Communications were sent to Quito students, their parents, and home schools.

SALAMANCA

We write with important updates about students’ academic experience and safety.
Local University Update
- Universidad de Salamanca (USAL): The Universidad de Salamanca has announced a provisional suspension of all academic activities, until further notice from health authorities. We suspect that the university will allow each department/faculty member to make a decision as to how students can receive credit given the current situation, but do not have an official update on next steps and the feasibility of online learning at this moment.
- Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (UPSA): Similarly, UPSA plans to suspend all in-person academic activities. UPSA is working to ensure all coursework is available in their online portal, allowing students to continue their academic experience online and receive credit for all coursework.
- Both suspensions begin today, Friday, March 13. We do not have information on the duration of these suspensions but will update students when we hear more.

IES Abroad Course Update: Online Instruction
- IES Abroad will conduct classes online starting Friday, March 13. Our faculty and staff are prepared for this contingency. Students should expect communications from their instructors with specific instructions regarding how each course will be organized relative to online courses.
- There will be no in-person classes offered during this time period.
- Please note that some courses that would normally be offered on Friday may not be offered until later in the week. We will ensure recovery of any cancelled or delayed IES Abroad courses.
- Note: Should students’ home school mandate or approve their return to the U.S., please see the recent email from IES Abroad (Subject line “Online learning” with details on next steps and notify IES Abroad Salamanca staff immediately). Students will continue their courses online from the United States.
IES Abroad Center Access
During this time, we will limit our staff presence at the IES Abroad Salamanca Center, and staff will work remotely as much as possible. Nevertheless, all staff will be available by email and phone, and we are always available via the IES Abroad Emergency Phone for any emergencies and to provide students with student health, safety, and academic support.
Communications have been sent to all Salamanca students, their parents, and their home schools.

SANTIAGO

As of March 12th, there are 33 coronavirus cases reported in Chile, including 14 cases in the Santiago metropolitan region. All the people with cases in the metropolitan region of Santiago are in isolation.
No IES Abroad student, faculty, or staff member has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
We have no plans to discontinue our programming in Santiago and are continuing our courses and operations at the IES Abroad Santiago Center. All university classes are continuing as scheduled.
Students whose universities require them to depart their study abroad program will be able to complete most IES Abroad-taught courses online. With home university approval, this option also is available for students who choose to depart voluntarily. Our faculty are trained and prepared to deliver this option. University courses and highly experiential courses, such as the Clinical Observation Seminar, may well not be available in this format.
All students are advised not to engage in independent travel out of the country for the time being. If students leave Chile, we cannot provide the same level of health and safety support that we can provide to them here. In addition, if students travel, we cannot guarantee that students will be able to return to participate in their academic work. In that regard, please keep in mind that some countries are introducing mandatory preventative measures (including quarantine or medical checks upon arrival in the country) for people arriving from countries that have cases of the coronavirus.
The IES Abroad Santiago Center is operating as normal. As mentioned above, the faculty have prepared to offer online courses to all students in case we need it in the weeks ahead. This means that, if it becomes necessary, students would be completing IES Abroad courses online. We are in close contact with our partner universities about their planning.
Communications were sent to Santiago students, their parents, and home schools.

SPAIN

The Prime Minister of Spain announced today that the Spanish government will declare a state of emergency, effective tomorrow (March 14), for up to 15 days.
Once the state of emergency takes effect, the government will have the authority to undertake, among other things,
- limiting the circulation or location of people or vehicles during certain hours;
- enforcing the observance of specific requirements;
- intervening and temporarily occupying businesses;
- rationing certain basic necessities and the use of certain services;
- and issuing necessary orders to help ensure the supply of markets, products, and the operation of services.

Precautionary Measures
- We are waiting for more specific details as this directive may be applied differently across cities within Spain. It is possible that restaurants, public transport, and other businesses will modify their hours or even temporarily cease operations, especially if required by the government in order to help prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19. Some cities have begun to close or modify hours, but basic services, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, remain open. Schools and universities have already suspended all academic activities in Spain.
- At this time, we advise students to stay in their housing as much as possible. Should students have any concerns about acquiring necessary healthcare items or groceries, they should reach out to the IES Abroad on-site staff at their Center.
Academic Continuity
- The IES Abroad Barcelona and Madrid Centers are currently offering all IES Abroad courses online, and the Salamanca and Granada Centers will begin to do so now. Students will receive more details about online course delivery from their professors and local staff as needed.
Staying in Spain or Returning to the United States
- Some U.S. colleges and universities have required their students to leave Spain. Students may choose to depart Spain and complete their classes online if their home university requires doing so or approves it.
- Our staff on-site will continue to provide on-site support to students who choose to stay in Spain, including health, safety, security and academic support. Our on-site staff also will provide students who choose to return home with academic support. We urge students to reach out directly to our on-site staff for assistance.

Please know that we are closely monitoring conditions on the ground in Spain and will continue to do so. If we deem it necessary, we will not hesitate to suspend the on-site portion of our programs.
In addition, we will continue to offer IES Abroad classes online for the duration of the semester. We will resume in-person IES Abroad classes, too, if and as conditions are appropriate for doing so.
Communications have been sent to all Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, and Salamanca students, their parents, and their home schools.

March 12, 2020

Important Update - Requesting Authorization for Online Classes

We are in the process of making IES Abroad Center standard program classes available online. If students want to study remotely, they may do so with their home college/university’s authorization. If interested, students should follow these fast and simple steps to request authorization to take their IES Abroad courses online remotely from home.

STEP 1: Go to www.IESabroad.org, and log into their MyIESabroad account
STEP 2: Click on the link for the Spring 2020 Online Learning Request Form
STEP 3: Complete the 5-question form and click submit
STEP 4: IES Abroad will contact their home college/university, and we will follow up with them once we receive their response.

Note: Direct enrollment, partner university courses, internships, service learning, and other experiential learning may not be available online. Please contact your IES Abroad Center staff for more information.

DUBLIN
This message applies to students on IES Abroad Dublin standard programs.

The Irish government has announced that universities must suspend in-person courses starting March 12th at 6 p.m.
In light of this decision, IES Abroad Dublin will offer IES Abroad courses online exclusively starting on Monday, March 16th.
Here are the most important points for students to be aware of:
- IES Abroad Course Update: Starting on Monday, March 16th, students will need to access the classes via the Big Blue Button feature through Moodle. All of our faculty are training on the use of this feature, and we have been preparing for this contingency. Your faculty member will email you when next week’s class is available.
- IES Abroad Center Access: As a result of a broad Irish government directive, the IES Abroad Dublin Center will be closed until March 30th. However, the IES Abroad Dublin staff will remain available by email and phone for all students, and we will be here to provide the same student health, safety, and academic support as always.

We also shared the wide-ranging measures that the Taoiseach announced, amounting to a general shutdown, to combat coronavirus. Measures, which will be implemented March 12-29.
Communications have been sent to all Dublin standard program students, their parents, and their home schools.

This message applies to students on IES Abroad Dublin Direct Enrollment programs.

The Irish government has announced that universities must suspend in-person courses starting March 12th at 6 p.m. The suspension period is currently scheduled to last for two weeks.
During this period the following institutions will operate as described here:
- Trinity College Dublin: Classes will be available to students online starting from Monday, March 16.
- University College Dublin: The University is currently on break, and classes will continue online starting from Monday, March 23.
- Dublin City University: The University is suspending class for two weeks and classes will then resume online from Monday, March 30.
- Gaiety School of Acting: The school is suspending class for two weeks. More information forthcoming.
As a result of a broad Irish government directive, the IES Abroad Dublin Center will be closed until March 30th. However, the IES Abroad Dublin staff will remain available by email and phone for all students, and we will be here to provide the same student health, safety, and academic support as always.

We also shared the wide-ranging measures that the Taoiseach announced, amounting to a general shutdown, to combat coronavirus. Measures, which will be implemented March 12-29.
Communications have been sent to all Dublin Direct Enrollment students, their parents, and their home schools.

GRANADA

Two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Granada.
Everyone in the IES Abroad Granada community is well.
We have no plans to discontinue our programming and are continuing our courses and operations at the IES Abroad Granada Center. IES Abroad Granada is operating as normal. However, our faculty have been put on alert that they may need to prepare for offering online courses using distance learning in the weeks ahead. This means that, if it becomes necessary, students would be engaging with and completing academic content online.
If students engage in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in Spain, and a member of their residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with them upon their return, then the student will be required to move out of their IES Abroad-provided housing and secure alternative housing for 14 days, or in some cases for the remainder of the term, at the student’s expense. Students’ independent travel not only puts their health at risk but also the health of those people with whom they live.
Communications have been sent to all students in Granada, their parents, and their home schools, with health updates and precautions.

MADRID
This message applies to Spring 2020 Madrid Engineering students.

UC3M has notified us of their policy for international students in light of the recent academic activities suspension and current situation in Madrid.
- UC3M is extending online learning options for the period of the suspension, through March 25th, as a temporary measure.
- They currently recommend that all international students stay in Spain for the remainder of the term. In justified cases, they will offer continued online learning and remote exams when possible for the remainder of the term. We cannot guarantee this for all classes, but are pleased to see they are open to review and providing flexible solutions.
- We have been in touch with the UC3M administration to advocate for our students and believe this is a reasonable response to the current situation.
In addition, students’ UC3M tutorial support will continue during the suspension. Students’ tutors will be in touch with them with details.
While our IES Abroad courses are offered online for all students during the required suspension, we will keep our IES Abroad courses offered online until the end of the semester for students who are required to or receive home school approval to leave Madrid.

NANTES

President Macron addressed the nation this evening, announcing that all schools and universities will close, starting Monday, March 16, with no end date specified.
The scheduled mid-terms will take place normally tomorrow, as will the Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy class.
Starting Monday, March 16, IES Abroad Nantes will teach all IES Abroad classes online. We are fully prepared to offer online instruction via Moodle and Big Blue Button for each of your IES Abroad courses, except for the Practicum Theatre class.
- We are working closely with Nantes students’ home institutions to help seek approval for online instruction.
- We are also working to gather information from Université de Nantes and Ecole des Beaux-Arts on how faculty plan to proceed, in order to assess and evaluate your courses, to grade you and give you credits.
- Guidelines for online learning were shared.
Following the measures that President Macron outlined, we advise you not to travel outside of Nantes and to limit your movements within the city.
Communications have been sent to all Nantes students, their parents, and their home school.

NICE

President Macron addressed the nation this evening, announcing that all schools and universities will close, starting Monday, March 16, with no end date specified.
Starting Monday, March 16, IES Abroad Nice will offer online instruction via Moodle and Zoom for each of our IES Abroad courses.
- We are working closely with Nice students’ home institutions to help seek approval for online instruction.
- Course schedules may be modified to accommodate students in different time zones, to the extent practicable. If you are in a time zone that makes it difficult to log in at the time of your class, or if you encounter technical difficulties, a recording of the class session will be available.
- Guidelines for online learning were shared.
Our partner university SKEMA will offer online courses for the remainder of the semester. More information will be shared with you as soon as it becomes available.
Following the measures that President Macron outlined, we advise you not to travel outside of Nice and to limit your movements within the city.
Communications have been sent to all Nice students, their parents, and their home schools.

PARIS
This message applies to Paris Business & International Affairs (BIA) and Paris French Studies students.

President Macron addressed the nation this evening, announcing that all schools and universities will close, starting Monday, March 16, with no end date specified.
Starting Monday, March 16, IES Abroad Paris BIA and French Studies Centers will offer online instruction via Moodle and Zoom for each of our IES Abroad courses.
- We are working closely with Paris students’ home institutions to help seek approval for online instruction.
- We are also working to gather information from our partner universities in Paris on how they plan to proceed with academics and course delivery.
- Course schedules may be modified to accommodate students in different time zones, to the extent practicable. If you are in a time zone that makes it difficult to log in at the time of your class, or if you encounter technical difficulties, a recording of the class session will be available.
- Guidelines for online learning were shared.
Following the measures that President Macron outlined, we advise you not to travel outside of Paris and to limit your movements within the city.
Communications have been sent to all Paris students, their parents, and their home schools.

March 11, 2020

Urgent Travel Directive for Spring 2020 Students in Europe (Including Customized & Faculty-Led Programming)

We’re writing to you in response to the new directive issued tonight by President Donald Trump.

As you may know, the directive prevents travel from Europe to the United States, but the directive does not appear to apply to U.S. citizens.

However, individuals trying to return to the United States who are not U.S. citizens will be banned from doing so starting at midnight on Friday night.

We anticipate that U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. may be subject to inspections or examinations, but those details do not appear to have been fully defined as of this moment.

Both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens on IES Abroad programs can remain in their current location and stay in their current housing. Students who choose to stay where they are and can continue classes and receive the same student health, safety and academic support they have been receiving throughout the spring term.

If you wish to return to the United States, you have two options:

Option 1: Try to book a flight with the airline you already have a ticket with.
Option 2: Book your flight back to the US via AXA, a partner of our student health insurer, CISI.

As a reminder, non-US citizens only have until midnight on Friday to arrive in the U.S.

Please inform an IES Abroad Center staff member of your plans, including any travel itineraries. If necessary, Center staff members are also available to talk about options for online learning, where possible.

Our Center staff members have been alerted to the new directive and are prepared to assist students to the best of their ability.

Should you have questions regarding this rapidly developing situation, please contact your Center staff.

LONDON

Starting this week for some IES Abroad classes and beginning on Monday, March 16th, for all IES Abroad lectures (where possible), courses will be recorded and made available to IES Abroad students who have received approval from their home schools and have returned to the U.S.
Recordings will be firewall protected, and only available to those U.S.-based students for one week.
Students in London are still expected to attend the lecture at the IES Abroad Center/Monticello House.
Several IES Abroad Centers in countries with higher infection rates have moved their courses completely online. Should this become necessary in London, students will be given full information on how to access this from their residence hall, etc.
If students engage in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in England, and a member of their residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with them upon their return, then the student will be required to move out of their IES Abroad-provided housing and secure alternative housing for 14 days, or in some cases for the remainder of the term, at the student’s expense. Students’ independent travel not only puts their health at risk but also the health of those people with whom they live.
Communications have been sent to all students in London, their parents, and their home schools.

VIENNA

The Austrian government has announced that universities must suspend in-person courses starting Monday, March 16th. As of March 9th, 43 cases have been reported in Vienna.
In light of this decision, IES Abroad Vienna will begin offering IES Abroad courses online on Monday, March 16th.
Here are the most important points for students to be aware of:
- IES Abroad Course Update: Starting on Monday, online classes will be held at the usual class time, taught by the same professor and following the same syllabus. Students will need to join the classes via the Big Blue Button feature of Moodle. All of our faculty are training on the use of this feature, and we have been preparing for this contingency.
- Internships: Students may continue to work at their internship placements. If there are challenges posed due to the government restrictions, our internship team will communicate with the placements to see what type of online assignments could be made available for students. This will be done on a case-by-case basis in order to achieve a more favorable and personalized outcome for each student.
- IES Abroad Center Access: Though courses will not be taught at the IES Abroad Center, the Center will remain open for students who wish to get resources from the library, to use practice rooms, etc. Staff will be available by email and phone for students, as well.
Communications have been sent to all students in Vienna, their parents, and their home schools.

March 10, 2020

Refund Policy for Summer & Fall 2020 Students

In response to the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus, for all upcoming Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 standard study abroad and internship programs only, IES Abroad will issue full refunds of program fees (including the $500 Confirmation Deposit) for any payment submitted directly to IES Abroad for students who decide to withdraw up to the day before the program’s official published arrival date.
This policy means that IES Abroad – not students, parents, or schools – will bear those costs billed by IES Abroad in the event of a last-minute withdrawal from Summer or Fall 2020 programs. We have updated our refund policy as a gesture of support for and assistance to students, parents, and schools in these uncertain times.

BARCELONA

The number of cases of coronavirus has increased rapidly in Spain in the last few days. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to take the following actions starting tomorrow.
IES Abroad Course Update:
- We will suspend in-class instructions for two weeks (March 11-25). During this period, we will conduct all IES Abroad classes online.
- For those students who have already been recalled to the U.S. by their universities, there will be no change to their courses.
- For all the students that are in Barcelona, classes will be held at the usual class time, by the same professor and following the same syllabus.
- Students will be required to attend class online at the scheduled time when the course is offered in Barcelona, and join the classes via the Big Blue Button feature of Moodle. All our faculty have been trained in the use of that feature, and we have prepared for this contingency.
Local University Update:
- No announcement has been made by local universities in Barcelona about offering their courses online.
- We have been told by some that our students at local partner universities we work with may be able to setup and offer some of their courses online.
Internships:
- Our internship team will communicate with the placements tomorrow and will speak to each company to see what type of online assignments could be made available for our students. This will be done on a case-by-case basis in an effort to favorably impact our students’ experience.
IES Abroad Center Access:
- During this time period, Center access will be limited to faculty and some staff members. Staff will be available by email and phone.
- Students will be able to reach our emergency after hours phone in the event of an emergency as usual.
Ongoing Safety and Prevention:
- We urge students to continue to follow the health precautions previously shared with them to help prevent the possibility of infection.
- We strongly discourage students from attending large events in public and using public transportation to the extent practicable.
- We suggest that students remain in their IES Abroad housing as much as possible during this time.
- Local authorities have discouraged people from using emergency rooms at local hospitals at this time.
Independent Travel Update:
- If students engage in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in Spain, and a member of their residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with them upon their return, then the student will be required to move out of their IES Abroad-provided housing and secure alternative housing for 14 days, or in some cases for the remainder of the term, at the student’s expense. Students’ independent travel not only puts their health at risk but also the health of those people with whom they live.
Communications have been sent to all students in Barcelona, their parents, and their home schools.

DUBLIN

We learned today from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) that starting Wednesday, March 11, all TCD lectures will be delivered online for the rest of the semester.
Tutorials, seminars, and laboratory practicals will all continue to be given at TCD in the usual fashion (i.e. in person) while using social distancing protocols.
TCD has stated that they made this decision out of an abundance of caution in regard to the current situation with coronavirus in Ireland.
Though TCD is moving its lectures online, the IES Abroad Center and all IES Abroad student housing remain open and functioning as normal.
Communications have been sent to students on our Trinity College Dublin Direct Enrollment Program, their parents, and all home schools who have students in Dublin.

MILAN
This message applies to students who are in Milan or have been transferred from Milan to Rome.

We have consulted with the US Consulate in Milan and legal counsel for clarification on the government of Italy’s newest decree restricting travel in Italy.
We have been advised that Milan students who are now in Rome are under a government-imposed quarantine of 14 days, based on their time in Milan.
In Milan, everyone is subject to the regional mobility restrictions. In both cities, everyone must comply with these terms fully.
Our staff in Milan and Rome will continue to assist students with food, toiletries, and other means of health and safety support.
Students should prepare for next week’s midterm exams and coursework online as earlier communicated to them.
Students should not visit the Center in person until further notice.
Communications have been sent to all students in Milan and those who’ve transferred from Milan to Rome, their parents, and their home schools.

ROME & SIENA

To follow up on our message from last night regarding the expanded travel restrictions imposed by the government of Italy, the new measure is not a quarantine, but a restriction on movement on the premise that all residents should stay indoors at home as much as possible to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
Students can sign a form available online attesting that they need to leave to return home.
- We understand that travelers with attestations may be checked for recent travel history and for the coronavirus.
- If they are found to be positive for the virus, they will be quarantined and assisted medically.
- Rome and Siena staff will send the form to students with instructions on how to fill it out in order to show the document to police officers or health officials
We strongly recommend students on the Rome and Siena programs leave Italy as quickly as possible.
If students choose to remain in Italy, please be aware that they may face some the following conditions:
- An overwhelmed healthcare system
- Limited access to food and medicine
- Increased mobility restrictions both inside and outside of Italy for possibly extended periods of time
Our staff onsite will assist students in completing documentation required for their travel.
To arrange travel please work directly with your airline or call AXA Assistance.
Both our Rome and Siena programs will continue online courses for the remainder of the term. It is our intention to have all of our students successfully complete their courses and obtain related course credit.
Faculty and staff will be working with students so they can complete all assignments, midterms and final exams remotely.
All remote course sessions will be recorded and made available to students on Moodle Big Blue Button.
Communications have been sent to all students in Rome and Siena, their parents, and their home schools.

March 9, 2020

AMSTERDAM

The first possible case of COVID-19 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was announced over the weekend: An employee of VU Amsterdam has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Everyone in the IES Abroad Amsterdam community is well.
We have no plans to discontinue our programming and are continuing our courses and operations at the IES Abroad Amsterdam.
IES Abroad Amsterdam is operating as normal, and our faculty have been put on alert that they may need to prepare for offering online courses using distance learning in the weeks ahead. This means that, if it becomes necessary, students would be engaging with and completing IES Abroad academic content online.
If students engage in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in The Netherlands, and a member of their residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with them upon their return, then the student will be required to move out of their IES Abroad-provided housing and secure alternative housing for 14 days, or in some cases for the remainder of the term, at the student’s expense. Students’ independent travel not only puts their health at risk but also the health of those people with whom they live.
Communications have been sent to all students in Amsterdam, their parents, and their home schools.

MADRID

Comunidad de Madrid and Ministerio de Salud have suspended all activity in academic centers, including both of our local partner universities, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (for Language & Area Studies students) and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Engineering students), in light of the recent COVID-19 situation.
- This 15-day suspension will be effective Tuesday, March 10, through Monday, March 30.
- Students should comply with this requirement and cease attendance at their partner university courses for the time being.
- IES Abroad Madrid staff is actively working with the partner universities to understand the implications on course completion and academic credit for our students and will be in touch with updates. Specifically, we are checking on whether our partner universities will offer their courses online during the 15-day suspension.
We will conduct all IES Abroad classes online during the same time period. There will be no in-person IES Abroad classes offered during this time, and more information about online classes will come soon.
For students who have a part-time internship, all internship supervisors will be informed tomorrow that IES Abroad students will not come to the workplace this week. When possible, students may be asked to work remotely from home. Internship supervisors will provide more specific information.
During this time, we will limit our staff presence at both IES Abroad Madrid Centers. Staff will be available by email and phone, and we are always available via the IES Abroad Emergency Phone and email for non-urgent matters.
Continue to follow the previously sent safety precautions to help prevent the unlikely possibility of infection. We strongly discourage you from attending large events in public, avoiding public transportation to the extent practicable, and remaining in your IES Abroad housing as much as possible during this time.
If students engage in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in Spain, and a member of the student’s homestay family, residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with the student upon their return, then the student will be required to move out of their IES Abroad-provided housing and secure alternative housing for 14 days, or in some cases for the remainder of the term, at the student’s expense. Students’ independent travel not only puts their health at risk but also the health of those people with whom they live.
Communications have been sent to all students in Madrid, their parents, and their home schools.

MILAN
This message applies to students who are in Milan or have been transferred from Milan to Rome.

Tonight, the Italian government extended its quarantine measures (which was originally imposed on the Northern regions) to the whole country. Students who have sojourned from Milan to Rome are under government-imposed mandatory quarantine and must comply with its terms fully.
- The initial reports indicate that restrictions are government-imposed to limit movement within the country. People traveling for work or health reasons are required to provide written documentation authorizing their movement. We are consulting with the U.S. Consulate in Milan for further details and these will be shared with students promptly.
- Please be advised that it is very important for students to comply with local restrictions and other terms of this mandatory quarantine because violation could lead to further sanctions by the Italian authorities.
- IES Abroad Center staff in Rome and Milan will continue to assist students throughout this period, including obtaining food and necessary supplies during the period of quarantine.
- The new restrictions ban large public gatherings and indicate that people must maintain a distance of 1 meter/3 feet when interacting with other people.
- We have been in close contact with our staff in Rome and Milan to assess the situation.
We expect the government to share additional information in the morning. We will be able to fully assess the impact of these restrictions on students at that time.
Students should continue their coursework online as earlier communicated to them. They do not need to go to the Center in person until further notice.
Communications have been sent to all students in Milan and those who’ve transferred from Milan to Rome, their parents, and their home schools.

ROME & SIENA

Tonight, the Italian government extended its quarantine measures to the whole country.
We will assist all students in departing Italy as soon as feasible. Students should pack their belongings in case they are asked to depart with short notice.
The initial reports indicate that restrictions are government-imposed to limit movement within the country. People traveling for work or health reasons are required to provide written documentation authorizing their movement.
It is not yet clear how this will impact students, and we are consulting with the U.S. Consulate in Milan for further clarification. We encourage students to stay home as much as possible.
Initial reports by the government suggest that restaurants and stores will remain open but under limited hours. It appears that restaurants will close at 6 p.m. Under these arrangements, students should be able to secure necessary food and toiletries.
If a student visited restricted regions in Northern Italy in recent weeks, they may be turned away from the airport and required to submit to a mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
The restrictions ban large public gatherings and indicate that people must maintain a distance of 1 meter/3 feet when interacting with other people.
We expect that the government will share additional information in the morning. We will be able to fully assess the impact of these restrictions on our students at that time.
Communications have been sent to all students in Rome and Siena, their parents, and their home schools.

March 8, 2020

Important Update for Spring 2020 Students, Parents, and Home College/University Study Abroad Staff

Starting today, if an IES Abroad student engages in independent travel to a country with more COVID-19 cases than there are in their IES Abroad host country; and a member of the student’s homestay family, residence hall staff or residents, or one or more of the student’s roommates are not comfortable living with them upon their return; then IES Abroad will not require them to accept the traveling IES Abroad student back into their housing.
If an objection is registered with IES Abroad, then the traveling student will be moved to other IES Abroad housing.
If no such housing is available through the Center, then the traveling student in this situation will need to find their own alternative housing at the traveling IES Abroad student’s expense for 14 days or until the remainder of the IES Abroad program if not alternative housing is available.

Customized & Faculty-Led Programming: Important Reminder sent to Home College/University Study Abroad Staff

We write to you with an important reminder regarding the cancellation policy for IES Abroad’s Customized & Faculty-led Programming for Spring and Summer 2020.

As you may have seen in our previous messages, we are not cancelling any Spring or Summer 2020 Customized programs (other than those in China that were cancelled last month). This decision comes after consulting with representatives of IES Abroad consortium schools, the chair of the general conference, national and international health experts, Center Directors, representatives of the IES Abroad Board of Directors, senior management of IES Abroad, and others. We understand that policies differ greatly from school to school, so this plan is designed to meet the needs of as many of our partners and their students as possible.

Cancellation Policy for Customized Programs
We want to reiterate that the cancellation policy for customized and faculty-led programs will be as per the signed program agreements. For most programs, IES Abroad does not require any deposits to be paid in advance of the program. Should the School elect to cancel the program, for whatever reason, prior to the date that the student confirmation enrollment is due, the School shall not be responsible for any payments to IES Abroad. However, if an individual student cancels or is withdrawn from the Program, or if the School cancels the program on or after the student confirmation enrollment due date, the cancellation policy will apply. Most of our Customized & Faculty-led Programs follow the model in the table below, but timelines can vary depending on the program and the destination. Please refer to the “Program Price and Cancellation Fees” section of your program addendum for the exact dates of your program’s cancellation policy.

Date of Cancellation | Cancellation Fee for Customized Programs

90 Days Prior to Arrival | 10% of the total per student program fee
60 Days Prior to Arrival | 25% of the total per student program fee
45 Days Prior to Arrival | 50% of the total per student program fee
30 Days Prior to Arrival | 100% the total per student program fee

Decisions on Future Customized Programs
It is possible that the status of some upcoming programs will change. In the event of a change, we will not hesitate to reach out to you. We will continue to utilize the IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management as we navigate this ongoing, unprecedented situation.

We will continue to monitor each location individually, and base future decisions on the following factors, which include:

Advisory Levels (CDC and U.S. State Department)
Travel restrictions (airline, train, local, quarantines)
Mobility restrictions
College and university policies and decisions (sending and receiving)
IES Abroad staff and faculty capabilities
Local university shutdowns
Health care capabilities in host city

We thank you and your students for your ongoing support and understanding during this difficult period in the field of international education. As conditions evolve and further decisions are made, we will not hesitate to contact you. Please contact us at 800.995.2300 with any questions or concerns you might have.

March 7, 2020

MILAN

The Italian government has issued a decree that covers the Lombardy region, which includes Milan and a number of other provinces in Northern Italy.
The decree prohibits people from going into or out of the affected regions that the decree covers, and will remain in effect until April 3, 2020.
Because of the decree, we are requiring our students in Milan to leave Milan now.
For students currently in Milan:
- We suggest taking the high-speed train, Frecciarossa, to Rome, where the IES Abroad Rome staff can assist students and provide housing.
- It is possible that individuals arriving from Milan could be required to self-quarantine for 14 days or be screened by public hospitals.
- If students leave Milan on their own, it is imperative that they let IES Abroad Milan staff members know where they are going. Flying to another country may involve more restrictions imposed on travelers coming from northern Italy.
- If you leave Milan, students should pack several weeks of clothing, toiletries, and other items.
- Our staff will be happy to pack and ship the rest of students’ personal belongings left in student housing at IES Abroad’s expense.

For IES Abroad students currently traveling outside of Italy:
- We recommend that students book flights home to the U.S. from the nearest major airport.
- Students will still be able to take their courses online.
- We will ship students’ personal belongings from Milan directly to their home address.
- We’ve asked students currently outside of Milan to call the IES Abroad Milan staff right away to let them know: (1) where the student is now; (2) where the student is planning to fly from; and (3) where the student is planning to fly to, when, and on what airline and flight number.
- For students’ convenience, whether they are flying home from Milan, or flying home or to another airport, AXA, our assistance provider through CISI, can help students make flight arrangements home. They will assist in rebooking flights and/or other departure plans of the student. They are available 24 hours.
- If students are unable to leave Milan and the regions around it, IES Abroad and other Milanese universities will continue to offer courses online, students can remain in their student housing in Milan, and our on-site student affairs staff will be available to help students at any time.
No matter which of the above options students choose, it is imperative that they call the IES Abroad Milan emergency phone as soon as possible to let us know their intentions, their current location, their travel plans and their flight information (if applicable).
Communications have been sent to all students in Milan, their parents, and their home schools.

March 6, 2020

GRANADA

IES Abroad is modifying its Semana Santa (April 4-11) housing policy in Granada, and will provide housing for students if they choose to stay in Granada during this time.
We cannot guarantee that students’ regular housing option will be available during this time, but we will work to find students a suitable alternative in Granada for this week.
Students will be responsible for any costs associated with cancelling their request for housing during this time if they cancel after the deadline.
Communications have been sent to all students in Granada, their parents, and their home schools.

DUBLIN

There have been a number of new confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Ireland. As of this morning, there are thirteen cases.
Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Advisory Level for Ireland is at the lowest level, which equates to “practice usual precautions.”
IES Abroad Dublin is operating as normal.
For students taking IES Abroad courses: Classes will continue to be held at the IES Abroad Center. Faculty are taking next steps to prepare, should students need to take online IES Abroad courses.
For Direct Enrollment students: we are working with our partner schools in Dublin to determine what contingency plans they are putting in place in response to the coronavirus, including offering courses via online learning relative to their own university courses.
For Trinity students: Students should have already received a notice from Trinity stating a staff member there tested positive for the coronavirus on Trinity’s main campus. As a result, the fourth floor of the Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, where our students would not normally go, and the elevators at the TBSI are currently closed for cleaning. Notably, Trinity College is on spring break right now, and this building is not a part of the Trinity College campus where our students ordinarily go.
For all students: Independent travel is not advised.
Students have been reminded of the precautions to stay healthy.
Communications have been sent to all students in Dublin, their parents, and their home schools.

ITALY

As of today, we plan to continue offering our programming on-site at our Milan, Rome, and Siena Centers.
We will continue to monitor each location individually, and base future decisions on the following factors, which include:
- Advisory Levels (CDC and U.S. State Department)
- Travel restrictions (airline, train, local, quarantines)
- Mobility restrictions
- College and university policies and decisions (sending and receiving)
- IES Abroad staff and faculty capabilities
- Local university shutdowns
- Health care capabilities in host city
At all three Centers, IES Abroad classes are being offered, whenever possible, online.
One of our Milan partner universities, the Bocconi, has stated it will also offer its classes online.
Many U.S. colleges and universities have required their students to leave Italy and students have the opportunity to complete their classes online if their home university approves.
We will continue to offer IES Abroad classes online for the duration of the semester and will resume in-person IES Abroad classes if the conditions are appropriate.
Any student who chooses to leave Italy and complete their IES Abroad coursework online may do so as long as their home university study abroad office approves. Our staff on-site will assist students, both on-site and away (as much as feasible), with their academic needs.
Students who remain on-site will continue to receive academic, students services, health, and safety support.
We will not hesitate to suspend the on-site portion of our program, if we deem it necessary.

March 5, 2020

FREIBURG

There are six reported cases of coronavirus in the city of Freiburg. All have a mild progression, and the patients are in generally good condition and are quarantined in the University clinic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control Advisory Level for Germany is at Level 1, the lowest level, which equates to “practice usual precautions.”
We have no plans to suspend or cancel our programming and are continuing our courses and operations in Freiburg.
IES Abroad Freiburg is operating as normal, and faculty are taking next steps to prepare, should students need to take online IES Abroad courses.
Students were advised not to engage in independent travel out of the country for the time being.
Communications have been sent to all students in Freiburg, their parents, and their home schools.

MILAN

Spring 2020 Milan students were reminded that today is the deadline to share their plans for the rest of the term.
As mentioned in our message on February 27, 2020, we intend to run our programs in Milan as scheduled for Spring 2020.
We provided students with two options to consider. These include:
- Option 1: Continue on-site in Milan taking their classes online or at the IES Abroad center and/or partner University for the duration of the program.
- Option 2: Students may elect to return to their homes and complete their IES Abroad courses online from there for academic credit.
The coronavirus situation continues to very rapidly evolve. Students were reminded to check their email regularly for the latest information from IES Abroad, particularly as conditions change, and we have new information to share.
Communications have been sent to all students in Milan, their parents, and their home schools.

NAGOYA

Today we received an announcement from the Director of the Nanzan University Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), informing us that CJS has made the difficult decision to ask students to leave the program and return home.
Students were given two options:
- Option 1: To continue with an online version of the program from home or
- Option 2: To withdraw and receive a partial refund and partial academic credit
The last day of in-person classes in Nagoya will be Friday, March 6, 2020.
Students should communicate with their parents about changing their flights home from Nagoya. The earliest students can depart is Saturday March 7, 2020, and they should return home by March 15, 2020.
Online courses will begin March 16, 2020. Most but not all courses will be available online. Details on those courses that will be available online will be sent by Nanzan University CJS to continuing students.
Students must contact their home institution study abroad office to discuss any requirements or restrictions about online course completion.
Communications have been sent to all students in Nagoya, their parents, and their home schools.

TOKYO

Spring 2020 Tokyo students were reminded of the message we sent on March 1, 2020, regarding their intentions for the semester.
We provided students with three options to consider. These include:
- Option 1: Studying in Tokyo on your IES Abroad Tokyo Program as planned
- Option 2: Deferring attendance to the Fall 2020 term
- Option 3: Withdrawing from your IES Abroad Tokyo program
Students should discuss these options with their school’s study abroad office before confirming their decision.
The deadline to share their places for the rest of the term is 12 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.
Communications have been sent to all Tokyo students, their parents, and their home schools.

March 4, 2020

SALAMANCA

IES Abroad is modifying its Semana Santa housing policy in Salamanca, and will provide housing for students if they choose to stay in Salamanca during this time.
We do not require students to stay in Salamanca, but understand that some students may prefer to stay.
Communications have been sent to all students in Salamanca, their parents, and their home schools.

SANTIAGO

Two coronavirus cases have been reported in the city of Talca, which is approximately 160 miles south of Santiago.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control Advisory Level for Chile is at Level 1, the lowest level, which equates to “practice usual precautions.”
All students, staff, and faculty in the IES Abroad Santiago community are well.
At this time, IES Abroad has no plans to suspend or cancel our programming in Santiago.
IES Abroad Santiago is operating as normal, and faculty are taking next steps to prepare, should students need to take online IES Abroad courses.
All students are advised not to engage in independent travel out of the country for the time being.
Communications have been sent to all students in Santiago, their parents, and their home schools, explaining that all Santiago programs will continue as planned, and sharing precautionary and preventative measures the students can take.

March 3, 2020

Important Update Sent to Home College/University Study Abroad Staff, as well as Spring 2020 Students and Parents

We write to you with an important update regarding IES Abroad’s programming for Spring and Summer 2020.

As you may already know, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently called for institutions of higher education to consider postponing or cancelling current or upcoming student foreign exchange programs.

IES Abroad understands the CDC’s concerns, but feels that for a variety of reasons, we would not be appropriately meeting the needs of our students, parents, and schools at this time to make wholesale cancellations of spring programs. Therefore, at this time, we are NOT cancelling additional Spring 2020 programs, beyond our Shanghai program, which was cancelled last month. We are also not cancelling any summer programs, beyond our Shanghai and Hong Kong programs, which also were cancelled last month.

This decision comes after consulting with representatives of IES Abroad consortium schools, the chair of the general conference, national and international health experts, Center Directors, representatives of the IES Abroad Board of Directors, senior management of IES Abroad, and others.

In addition, in a message to the study abroad field yesterday, the Forum on Education Abroad noted that the CDC guidance was not a directive, that students are not typically members of the population who may succumb to a virus like COVID-19, and that unlike typical travelers, our students are supported on the ground.

We will continue to monitor each location individually, and base future decisions on the following factors, which include:

Advisory Levels (CDC and U.S. State Department)
Travel restrictions (airline, train, local, quarantines)
Mobility restrictions
College and university policies and decisions (sending and receiving)
IES Abroad staff and faculty capabilities
Local university shutdowns
Health care capabilities in host city

We understand that policies differ greatly from school to school, so this plan is designed to meet the needs of as many of our partners and their students as possible.

Spring 2020
The following provides an overview of where we stand on a variety of issues surrounding coronavirus:

Our Spring 2020 Shanghai program has been cancelled.
Our Italian programs will continue, but we have offered students the options of staying in Italy and participating in their classes online, or returning home and participating in the online classes from the United States (with home school approval).
Our Tokyo students on standard programs have the option of attending the program as originally planned, deferring participation to Fall 2020, or withdrawing from the program, with a full refund.
Should schools require that students return home from any IES Abroad programs, we will offer online remote learning for nearly all IES Abroad-taught courses (except those that require practicum such as music instruction and experiential learning) so that students receive as much academic credit as possible.
Courses at local universities are not available online, but we continue to work closely with these universities to look for a solution for our direct enrollment students.

Students have been instructed to consult with their home schools to determine if they have a policy, a requirement, or if the school has issued a directive that requires their students to return to the United States. We have instructed students to talk with their parents and, if necessary, their financial aid offices about their decisions.

Decisions on Future Programs
It is very possible that the status of some upcoming programs will change. The changes could involve a move to online learning or, if warranted, suspension, or cancellation. In the event of a change, we will not hesitate to reach out to you, your students or prospective students, and their parents.

We will continue to utilize the IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management as we navigate this ongoing situation.

Working Together
Our students’ health and safety is at the forefront of all the decisions we have made over our entire 70-year history. We acknowledge the many uncertainties associated with the coronavirus outbreak for you, your students, and their parents. During this period, working together is more important than ever to help our students stay healthy and safe throughout their study abroad experience. We ask for your help with the following:

Please make sure your students understand the importance of following all instructions and guidelines provided by you and by IES Abroad.
Make sure they know the importance of using TripTracker, our online portal, which lets students report independent travel outside their program location.
Please discourage independent travel.
Encourage parents to reach out to IES Abroad promptly with concerns.

We thank you and your students for your ongoing support and understanding during this and difficult period in the field of international education. As conditions evolve and further decisions are made, we will not hesitate to contact you.

Please contact us at 800.995.2300 with any questions or concerns you might have.

March 3, 2020

BUENOS AIRES

A coronavirus case has now been reported in Buenos Aires.
All students, staff, and faculty in the IES Abroad Buenos Aires community are well.
Communications have been sent to all students in Buenos Aires, their parents, and their home schools, explaining that all Buenos Aires programs will continue as planned, and sharing precautionary and preventative measures the students can take.
At this time, IES Abroad has no plans to suspend or cancel our programming in Buenos Aires.

MADRID

A number of coronavirus cases have now been reported in Spain, including 46 cases in Madrid.
Communications have been sent to all students in Madrid, their parents, and their home schools, explaining that all Madrid programs will continue as planned.
All students, staff, and faculty in the IES Abroad Madrid community are well.
At this time, IES Abroad has no plans to suspend or cancel our programming in Madrid.
Precautionary and preventative measures students can take were also shared.

NAGOYA

A number of coronavirus cases have been reported in Japan, including 27 cases in Aichi Prefecture.
All students, staff, and faculty in the IES Abroad Nagoya and Nanzan University communities are well.
Communications have been sent to all students in Nagoya, their parents, and their home schools, explaining that IES Abroad and Nanzan University are operating as normal.
At this time, IES Abroad has no plans to suspend or cancel our programming in Nagoya.
Precautionary and preventative measures students can take were also shared.

SALAMANCA

A coronavirus case has now been reported in Salamanca.
Communications have been sent to all students in Salamanca, their parents, and their home schools, explaining that all Salamanca programs will continue as planned, and sharing precautionary and preventative measures the students can take.
All students, staff, and faculty in the IES Abroad Salamanca community are well.
At this time, IES Abroad has no plans to suspend or cancel our programming in Salamanca.

March 1, 2020

QUITO & THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

A coronavirus case has now been reported in Ecuador. The patient is hospitalized in Guayaquil, which is 260 miles away from Quito and 600 miles the from Galápagos Islands.
Communications have been sent to all students in Ecuador, their parents, and their home schools, explaining that all Ecuador programs will continue as planned, and sharing precautionary and preventative measures the students can take.
All students, staff, and faculty in the IES Abroad Quito community are well.

TOKYO

IES Abroad intends to run the Spring 2020 Language & Culture Program in Tokyo as scheduled, but we also want to provide students with several choices to consider. These include:

Option 1: Studying in Tokyo on the IES Abroad Tokyo Program as planned

If students decide to continue with their plans to study in Tokyo, they will receive the full range of services IES Abroad has to offer. This includes our extensive student services, health and safety support, and crisis management support.
IES Abroad has extensive crisis management plans and protocols in place, which are overseen and implemented by a team with decades of crisis experience. We also have a medical consultant advising us. Our on-site staff members remain in close contact with local governmental authorities, as well as with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. All IES Abroad Tokyo students are registered by IES Abroad, predeparture, with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows the Department of State to better assist students in an emergency.
The IES Abroad Crisis Management Team will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation, and we will not hesitate to reach out to our students or their parents if new information becomes available.

Option 2: Deferring attendance to the Fall 2020 term

Students may defer attending their program to the Fall 2020 term. If they do so, their confirmation deposit and program fees paid will be applied to their Fall 2020 program. Before confirming this option, we recommend that students consult with their home school’s study abroad office to discuss billing, financial aid, and academic credit as soon as possible.

Option 3: Withdrawing from the IES Abroad Tokyo Program

Students not interested in or able to participate in the above options may be eligible to receive a partial refund from IES Abroad. Further information on the amount of the partial refunds will be coming soon. Students who voluntarily elect to withdraw from their program will not be eligible for academic credit.
Before making a decision, we ask Spring 2020 Tokyo students to carefully review and discuss these options with their families and consult with their school’s study abroad office. We request that they confirm their decision with us by 12 p.m. CT on March 10th.
Communications have been sent to all Spring 2020 Tokyo students, their parents, and their home schools.

February 29, 2020

ITALY

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control raised its warning level for Italy to Level 3, which means “Avoid Nonessential Travel” to Italy. The U.S. Department of State has raised its warning level to Level 3, which means “Reconsider Travel” to Italy
In response, many schools have decided to bring their students back to the United States, from Italy, as soon as possible.
We understand that this has raised concerns among students, parents and schools, so on Friday night in the United States, we communicated to students, parents and schools to let them know that we were aware of the new levels and to remind them that we are continuing to run our programs in Italy – Milan, Rome and Siena.
We plan to continue to run our programs, but students can return to the United States or to other parts of Europe, to continue their programs via online, which we will continue to make available.
Center staff will be available to assist students, but students will not be able to move to another IES Abroad Center in Europe.
Students should consult with their home schools to determine if their home school has a policy or a requirement that requires students to return.
Students should also consult with their parents and financial aid offices about their decision.

The options available to students to continue their studies are the same options students were provided last week:

Option 1: Students continue their program onsite in Milan, Rome, or Siena taking their classes at the IES Abroad Center, online, in-person and/or at IES Abroad partner universities for the rest of the program as planned

Students will continue to receive the onsite health, safety, and academic support of our staff on site in Italy.
Students would continue to reside in the housing IES Abroad has arranged for them.
Currently, courses are being conducted online. We intend to resume in-person classes when we believe conditions are appropriate.

Option 2: Students may elect to return to their homes and complete their IES Abroad courses online for academic credit for the rest of the academic term.

This option requires the prior written approval of a student’s home school study abroad office.
Students will be held to the same high academic standards as our on-site option.
Proctored final examination times will align with examinations in Italy to the extent practicable.
Students will be able to re-enter Italy at their own expense to finish their IES Abroad coursework during the semester if they choose to do so and return to their original housing.
Travel costs for students who elect the option to leave Italy and return to the United States also must be covered by the student.
This option requires students to participate in online classes using a laptop or desktop computer. Online classes are not compatible with handheld devices.
This option only extends to IES Abroad classes. Partner university classes in Italy are not available for online completion. Additionally, some specialized IES Abroad partner university courses such as those involving musical performance or instruction, internship placements, service learning or other similar coursework will not be available online.
The deadline to select this option is March 5th.

Full-time internships must be completed on-site. Therefore, only option 1 is available to these students.

February 28, 2020

AMSTERDAM

Two coronavirus cases have now been reported in The Netherlands: one in Tilburg (110 km from Amsterdam), and one in Diemen near Amsterdam.
Communications have been sent to all students in Amsterdam, their parents, and their home schools.

DUBLIN

A coronavirus case has now been reported. The individual flew into Dublin airport and is currently being treated in Belfast, which is approximately 100 miles from Dublin.
There are currently no reported cases coronavirus in Dublin, where our programs in Ireland are located.
Communications have been sent to all students in Dublin, their parents, and their home schools.

FREIBURG

Three coronavirus case has now been reported in Freiburg.
Communications have been sent to all students in Freiburg, their parents, and their home schools.

NANTES

A coronavirus case has now been reported in Nantes and throughout France.
Communications have been sent to all students in Nantes, their parents, and their home schools.

NICE

A coronavirus case has now been reported in the region of Nice.
Communications have been sent to all students in Nice, their parents, and their home schools.

February 27, 2020

Important Update sent to Spring 2020 Students, Parents, and Home College/University Study Abroad Staff

The following is an update on IES Abroad’s response to the coronavirus.

Here at our IES Abroad headquarters in Chicago, our Crisis Management Team (CMT) is proactively responding and has been very closely monitoring the situation for more than a month. IES Abroad has extensive crisis management plans and protocols in place, which are overseen and implemented by a team with decades of crisis experience. We also have a medical consultant advising us. Our on-site staff members also remain in close contact with local governmental authorities, as well as with local U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

As we are doing today, we will reach out to you again with additional information as circumstances warrant. Please make sure you are checking email regularly for the latest information from your Center and IES Abroad, particularly if conditions change and we have new information to share.

We are currently running all our Spring 2020 programs, with the exception of Shanghai. We are working under the guidance of our Crisis Management Team and information from the CDC, WHO, your home school, our Center Directors, and other leading organizations. If it is warranted, we will not hesitate to cancel a program. If that happens, we would work closely with you and your school on the process. Your health and safety is our highest concern, and we will always act with our students’ best interests in mind.

With tested protocols and a comprehensive plan already in place, we are prepared for any incidents that might occur around the world. We have cancelled IES Abroad field trips, field studies, and other IES Abroad-sponsored trips or excursions to locations where the coronavirus has been identified during this period.

Please know that the likelihood of contracting the virus is extremely low. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in every IES Abroad location worldwide using real-time safety and security alerts and regularly consulting US and overseas private and governmental health, safety, and security experts.

Protecting Your Health
Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tightness of the chest, and difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed in this message, you should:

Inform the Student Affairs Coordinator at your Center, who will help you schedule a medical appointment for an examination if and as needed.
Remain in your housing until a medical appointment is confirmed by IES Abroad Center staff and to isolate yourself temporarily while waiting for a specialized healthcare professional to arrive. Some local authorities have discouraged people from using emergency rooms at local hospitals during this period in Italy. That may be or become the case in your country of study, as well.

There are a number of steps recommended by the World Health Organization that students should take to help limit exposure to the coronavirus, which include:

Frequently/consistently cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow
Avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
Thoroughly cooking meat and eggs
Avoiding contact with live wild or farm animals

IES Abroad has a robust health insurance policy for our students through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Our plan has high levels of coverage for medical care and even crisis situations, including evacuation insurance coverage up to $100,000 per student, when the policy’s conditions are met. Staff on-site can also connect students with English-speaking health providers.

Travel
We encourage you not to travel to cities or regions where known coronavirus cases are present—we cannot provide health and safety support with on-site Center staff when you are outside your host city. In addition, we don’t want you to get stranded somewhere where you are unable to get back to your host city. When in doubt about your travel plans outside of your host city, please contact your Student Affairs Coordinator at the Center.

Communications
As you can imagine, this is a very fluid and quickly evolving situation. Should an event arise in your location, we will swiftly communicate with you, your parents, our Centers, and your home school so you have the most up-to-date information. Again, please check your email regularly for updates from your Center and from IES Abroad.

We want to reiterate that your health and safety is our highest priority. Any decisions we make will always be made with your health, safety, and well-being in mind.

If you have any questions, please contact your Center staff who are ready to assist you.

February 27, 2020

BARCELONA

Cases of coronavirus case have been confirmed in Barcelona.
Communications have been sent to all students in Barcelona, their parents, and their home schools, with health updates and precautions.

VIENNA

A coronavirus case has now been reported in Vienna.
Communications have been sent to all students in Vienna, their parents, and their home schools.

February 26, 2020

ITALY

Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Italy.
Communications have been sent out to all parents with students enrolled in an IES Abroad program in Italy, explaining program information, academic updates, travel advice, and more.

LONDON

Coronavirus cases have now been reported in Europe, most recently in the Lombardy and Veneto Regions of Italy, outside of Milan.
Communications have been sent to all students in London, their parents, and their home schools.

February 24, 2020

ITALY

Coronavirus cases have now been reported in the Lombardy and Veneto Regions of Italy, outside of Milan.
Communications have been sent to all students in Milan, their parents, and their home schools.
There are currently no reported cases coronavirus in Rome or Siena, where our other programs in Italy are located.
Communications have also been sent to our students in Rome and Siena, as well as their parents and home schools, as a precaution.

February 21, 2020

CHINA

IES Abroad has suspended the following Summer 2020 programs in Shanghai, including:
- Shanghai Summer - Engineering
- Shanghai Summer - Intensive Language
Communications have been sent out to all students interested or enrolled in these programs, as well as their parents and home schools.
We will assist students in finding an alternative summer program to meet their personal and academics needs, wherever possible.

February 14, 2020

CHINA

IES Abroad has suspended the following Summer internship 2020 programs in Shanghai, including:
- Shanghai Summer - Internship
- Shanghai Summer – Engineering Internship
Communications have been sent out to all students interested or enrolled in these programs, as well as their parents and home schools.
We will assist students in finding an alternative program to meet their professional and personal needs, wherever possible.

January 28, 2020

CHINA

IES Abroad has decided to suspend the following Spring 2020 semester programs in Shanghai due to concerns about student health related to the Coronavirus outbreak in China:
- Shanghai - Economy, Business & Society
- Shanghai - Engineering
Communications have been sent out to all students interested or enrolled in these programs, as well as their parents and home schools.
We will assist students in finding an alternative program to meet their academic and personal needs, wherever possible.

January 8, 2020

Important Update sent to Spring 2020 Students, as well as their Parents, and Home College/University Study Abroad Staff

Thank you for choosing IES Abroad for the Spring 2020 semester. We are delighted and grateful to host you on an IES Abroad program. Because your health and safety is our highest priority, we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the many ways we support you before you depart and once you're abroad.

With more than 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Here are some of the many ways that we support our students abroad:

24/7 Emergency Support & Highly Trained Staff: We provide thorough and on-going training of our U.S-based and on-site staff to proactively plan for, and respond to, emergencies and crises abroad. We have a dedicated Crisis Management Team made up of U.S. staff members, as well as on-site staff at every IES Abroad Center worldwide, who are on-call and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for emergencies and crises.
Crisis Management Plans & Protocols: IES Abroad maintains an extensive global crisis management plan and corresponding protocols. In addition, every IES Abroad Center around the world has its own specifically tailored local crisis management plan.
Monitoring of Local & World Events: Members of the Crisis Management Team receive real-time safety and security alerts for all of our locations worldwide, consulting both private and governmental global security sources and experts.
Mandatory Orientations: As you may already know, our students participate in a comprehensive mandatory orientation program that focuses on known health, safety, and security risks in the city or region and how best to avoid or mitigate them. During orientation, every student is provided with detailed information and written materials that include resources such as local maps, local emergency numbers, and specific instructions regarding various health, safety, and security issues. Each student also is given a small card to be carried with them at all times that contains the full contact information of the IES Abroad office and key on-site staff members, as well as the IES Abroad emergency phone number, and the local equivalent of “911” to reach local police, fire, and other emergency services.
On-going Communications: Should a serious event arise, we will consistently communicate with you, your parents and guardians, our Centers, and your school throughout the process so you have the most up-to-date information.
Required Health Insurance: All IES Abroad students are required to have international health insurance through CISI, which provides comprehensive coverage throughout their IES Abroad program. The policy is specially designed for students traveling internationally, and it includes coverage for physical and some mental health issues, counseling, medical and other forms of evacuation, a bed-side benefit for students hospitalized for more than a few days (which pays to fly family members to their bedside), and more.
Required Cell Phone: Students are required to have a cell phone that works where they will be studying abroad, in order to help our staff members and students stay in touch with you in an emergency or crisis. We ask that you keep your cell phone with you, charged, and turned on at all times, and to respond promptly to calls, emails, and text messages from IES Abroad.
TripTracker: Students going on independent travel are required to inform on-site IES Abroad staff of their specific travel plans before leaving. This system is designed to help on-site IES Abroad staff locate traveling students swiftly in a crisis or emergency.
Mandatory Crisis Drills: We conduct a mandatory crisis management drill at each Centers at the beginning of every term. The primary purposes of these drills are to educate students on our system for reaching them swiftly in an emergency or crisis, to test how long it takes for our students to respond, and to verify the accuracy of the cell phone number our staff has on file for you. Any students who fail to respond or are slow to respond are counseled by our on-site staff regarding the rationale underlying the drill and the reasons it is important for them to respond promptly.
In-Country Network: Our on-site staff maintains close relationships with local police and governmental authorities, as well as with the local U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

We want to reassure you that we are here for you from beginning to end. As we are doing today, we will reach out to you again with additional information, as needed.

Resources to Learn More About COVID-19