Health & Safety Alerts

Update: as of Tuesday, April 29, 2025, power had been restored in nearly all of Spain.

A power outage has been reported across Spain this morning. Authorities are actively working to restore service, and while this is certainly an unexpected disruption, we remain hopeful that it will be short-lived.

At this time, no emergencies related to the outage have been reported. Our experienced Crisis Management Team, along with our on-site staff in Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, and Salamanca are closely monitoring the situation and are here to support your student with great care and attention.

Here’s what we know right now:

• As we are able, we have asked our students to shelter in place and conserve their mobile phone battery until power is restored.
• Once power returns, students will hear directly from their Center Director with next steps.
• For students whose final exams have been impacted, we will work with them to arrange alternative times or formats, ensuring they have the opportunity to complete their exams.
• Current reports state that power restoration may take approximately 6–10 hours.
• Due to the outage, cell service is limited and you may not be able to reach your student immediately.

The health, safety, and well-being of our students are always our highest priorities. IES Abroad has comprehensive crisis management protocols in place, and we are fully prepared to support our students through this situation.

We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as needed. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued trust in IES Abroad.

At approximately 6:44 a.m. local time in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, located about 175 miles northwest of Quito, there was an earthquake reported at a magnitude 6.3.

Our IES Abroad Quito staff has been in direct contact with all students on-site, as well as with their host families, and has confirmed everyone’s well-being and that all students are safe. This has also been communicated to their families and home schools.

The health and safety of our students is our highest priority. The Quito Center, like all IES Abroad Centers worldwide, follows comprehensive local and global crisis management protocols. Our on-site staff also maintains close relationships with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Quito.

Recent travel restrictions proposed by the U.S. government could impact non-U.S. citizens’ re-entry to the United States after their study abroad program is complete, including the possibility of not being able to return to the U.S. after studying with us. All international students should discuss their study abroad experience with their international student advising office on campus for recommendations and advice. 

Earlier today, March 27th, a stabbing incident occurred close to Dam Square on Sint Nicolaasstraat in central Amsterdam. According to local authorities, four individuals were injured. Police responded quickly, arrested the suspect, and have temporarily closed off the area and suspended nearby public transportation as a precaution.

We want to assure you that all IES Abroad students are safe and accounted for. The situation was localized and has not impacted other areas of the city where students live, study, or spend time.

Our Crisis Management Team is closely monitoring the situation, and we are in regular contact with our experienced on-site staff in Amsterdam, who remain available to students around the clock.

The health and safety of our students is our highest priority and our students have been given clear safety protocols and guidance on how to respond in the event of any emergency. These include:

• Keeping their cell phone charged and with data at all times, with emergency contact information saved;
• Reaching out to IES Abroad staff immediately in case of any questions or concerns;
• Following all instructions from local authorities and relying on official news sources;
• Monitoring their email and WhatsApp for updates from Amsterdam Center staff; and
• Logging any independent travel in our Trip Tracker system.

IES Abroad has long-standing emergency protocols in place and a dedicated, well-trained Crisis Management Team. As always, as more information is available, we will continue to keep this page updated.

Heathrow Airport will be closed throughout Friday, March 21, after a fire at a nearby electrical substation halted all flights. Our team in London has messaged students with an update on the situation and they are actively managing the situation with care and attention. We have confirmed that no IES Abroad London students were at Heathrow Airport during the time of the fire.

The health and safety of our students is always our top priority. IES Abroad has an experienced Crisis Management Team and well-established protocols in place, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates, as necessary.

Update February 26, 2025 • Power Restored

Power has been fully restored in Santiago and the surrounding, including the IES Abroad Center and housing accommodations. 

February 25, 2025 • Santiago Power Outage

A nationwide power outage has affected 14 of Chile’s 16 regions, including Santiago and its surrounding areas. As of this afternoon, authorities have not reported any emergencies related to the outage,. 

Our team is actively managing the situation with care and attention, including ensuring that all students reach their accommodations safely, arranging private transportation, and preparing contingency plans should the outage continue. Students have been instructed to utilize their electronic devices minimally until power is restored.  

The health and safety of our students is always our top priority. IES Abroad has an experienced Crisis Management Team and well-established protocols in place, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary.

Independent Travel Ban 

At IES Abroad, the health and safety of our students is our highest priority. As part of our protocols and best practices, our Crisis Management Team monitors world events to make sure our students can make the most of their study abroad experiences safely. This includes providing guidance on travel restrictions due to world conflicts and advice from the State Department. 

IES Abroad (including IES Internships, and our Customized & Faculty-Led Programs) will continue its independent student travel ban for Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and the greater Middle East, which includes Palestine, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. 

A complete travel itinerary submitted via IES Abroad’s Trip Tracker system must be provided to IES Abroad in advance of any student, and it is imperative for any student travel to any country bordering Russia and Ukraine. 

Be advised of the following: 

• These regulations can be changed at any time as circumstances require.
• Students must monitor all communication from IES Abroad for updates to this policy.
• If a student's home campus prohibits travel outside of the host country, those students are not permitted to travel elsewhere at all (except for going home).

Travel safety is a matter of the utmost importance. Students who violate this travel directive may be dismissed from their program. Questions about this policy can be directed to the Dean of Students Office in Chicago or the Center Director for their program abroad.

There is currently a state of emergency in Ecuador that has been in place for the past year. Most recently, on Friday, January 4th Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa extended the state of emergency another 60 days in seven provinces and three municipalities, citing escalating internal unrest and armed conflict as the country begins the campaign for presidential and congressional elections. 

While there has been unrest in some parts of the country, the situation has remained calm where our students are located in the Galápagos Islands and at USFQ in Cumbaya, and has remained calm in these areas over the last few months as well.

The following information and safety steps have been shared with students:

• Keep your cellphone charged and with data at all times and emergency contact information on hand
• Reach out to IES Abroad staff immediately in case of any uncertainties or emergencies
• Please follow the local news information from official channels and disregard rumors or false news
• Review your emails and WhatsApp groups, for any updates from Quito Center staff
• Enter your independent travel plans on Trip Tracker

Our Crisis Management Team has been following the events in Ecuador very closely, and we have experienced colleagues on the ground that we work with to help maintain the health and safety of all students. As more information is available, we will continue to keep this page updated.

In light of recent events and activities around the world that have sparked demonstrations, this is a reminder that we strongly advise students studying abroad to avoid participating in local protests or demonstrations. 

Laws and customs regarding freedom of speech and assembly differ widely around the world. Unlike in the United States, many countries do not offer the same protections, and participation in protests could result in serious consequences, including arrest.

For the safety of all students, the IES Abroad Center is required to follow up with any individual if they learn that any IES Abroad student has violated our advice and was involved in a protest or demonstration. If students violate our advice and/or local/national law, they may be subject to an administrative review from IES Abroad. 

Safety Tips & Resources:

• Avoid large gatherings, protests, and demonstrations, even if they seem peaceful.
• Keep your phone charged and with you at all times. IES Abroad must be able to reach you by phone for emergency purposes.
• Save your IES Abroad Center’s daytime and emergency phone numbers in your mobile phone.
• Familiarize yourself with your host country’s emergency numbers.
• Always respond to emergency communication messages from your Center. All students must respond to emergency messages from your Center staff at all times. Failure to do so may result in administrative  review.

Your health and safety is our top priority. Throughout the semester, your Center staff will continue to keep you informed about health and safety matters at your location.  If they become aware of a concern, they will communicate with you directly to help keep you aware and prepared. If you have any questions or concerns about this message, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Center Staff.  They are very willing to be of assistance to you.

Our shanghai programs are currently suspended:

• Shanghai - Economy, Business & Society
• Shanghai - Engineering
• Shanghai Summer – Engineering
• Shanghai Summer - Intensive Language
• Shanghai Summer – Engineering Internship
• Shanghai Summer – Internship Program

We continue to monitor the situation, and will continue to keep this page up to date with the latest information.