
Summer & Fall 2022 Health & Safety Policies
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Your Health & Safety Is Our #1 Priority
We strive to meet the needs of our students in a changing world, and one thing we will not compromise on is their health and safety—which is and always has been our number one priority.
In response to the impact of COVID-19, our Crisis Management Teams, which have decades of experience responding to a wide array of crises around the world, developed and follow the first set of institutional standards in the study abroad field for responding to crises and to student health and safety emergencies, as well as pandemic protocols for COVID-19 that specifically apply to our study abroad programs in 2021-22.
Our COVID-19 protocols address key elements of the student experience, including health, academics, housing, field trips and travel. These protocols were developed and refined based upon IES Abroad’s crisis and pandemic responses to SARS, H1N1, H1N9, COVID-19 and it’s variants. Our protocols are not only based upon the lived experience and learning of our staff in responding to pandemics but also are informed by reliable sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. State Department, host country government sources, trusted private sources, and our own medical consultants.
These updated protocols are in addition to the standard health & safety policies we provide, including international health insurance, student mental health support, 24/7 emergency support, highly trained on-site local staff, our in-country networks, mandatory orientations for every program, our Trip Tracker database to monitor independent student travel, mandatory crisis drills every term, crisis communications to students, their home schools, their parents and more.
Our protocols and policies will continue to be revised based upon our continued learning and changing circumstances as we respond to the ever-changing landscape we are living in today. While details may and should adjust, one thing will always remain the same: our dedication to putting students first, and prioritizing their health, safety and general wellbeing.
For additional information or for questions regarding IES Abroad’s proactive COVID-19 measures and response protocols, can be directed to the IES Abroad’s College Relations Managers or the Dean of Students Office at 800.995.2300 or 312.944.1750.
- IES Abroad will continue to monitor and consider CDC Warning Levels along with other sources but will not make decisions regarding running programs based exclusively or primarily on CDC levels. IES Abroad will take a more nuanced approach to these issues, consulting multiple sources. CDC warning levels are not necessarily indicative of the current conditions on the ground at many of our study abroad program locations. IES Abroad will make decisions about running programs based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: US and other countries’ consular, travel and health and safety information and requirements; travel restrictions by sending and receiving countries; the feasibility of obtaining student visas in a timely manner; and the conditions on the ground at each of our center and program locations.
- IES Abroad will inform students, schools, and parents of any on-site program closure for 2022 in a timely manner (we will strive to make this at least four weeks in advance of the official program start date to the extent reasonably practicable). 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 our students, their parents and home campuses having ready access to important and relevant health advisories, alerts and travel information. Some of the sources we monitor for information include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. State Department, host country government sources, and private sources regarding health, safety and security matters. In the present environment, all of this is undertaken with special attention to COVID-19 and its variants.
- IES Abroad complies with applicable laws, regulations and government requirements and directives relative to COVID 19. For nearly 20 years, IES Abroad has had its own tested global pandemic protocols to help guide our preparation, program planning, program delivery 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, complying with all applicable directives and laws, avoiding independent travel when and where it is restricted and more.
- IES Abroad will continue to monitor and consider CDC Warning Levels along with other sources but will not make decisions regarding running programs based exclusively or primarily on CDC levels. IES Abroad will take a more nuanced approach to these issues, consulting multiple sources. CDC warning levels are not necessarily indicative of the current conditions on the ground at many of our study abroad program locations. IES Abroad will make decisions about running programs based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: US and other countries’ consular, travel and health and safety information and requirements; travel restrictions by sending and receiving countries; the feasibility of obtaining student visas in a timely manner; and the conditions on the ground at each of our center and program locations.
- IES Abroad will inform students, schools, and parents of any on-site program closure for 2022 in a timely manner (we will strive to make this at least four weeks in advance of the official program start date to the extent reasonably practicable). 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 our students, their parents and home campuses having ready access to important and relevant health advisories, alerts and travel information. Some of the sources we monitor for information include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. State Department, host country government sources, and private sources regarding health, safety and security matters. In the present environment, all of this is undertaken with special attention to COVID-19 and its variants.
- IES Abroad complies with applicable laws, regulations and government requirements and directives relative to COVID 19. For nearly 20 years, IES Abroad has had its own tested global pandemic protocols to help guide our preparation, program planning, program delivery 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, complying with all applicable directives and laws, avoiding independent travel when and where it is restricted and more.
Required Quarantines upon Entry to Host Country
- IES Abroad will incorporate any required quarantine period(s) into the existing program calendars to the extent reasonably practicable.
- Students may be able to self-quarantine in their IES Abroad housing or—if necessary, because of specific quarantine regulations or living with others who have not been exposed—in alternative short-term housing (apartments/hotels/hostels, etc.) provided by IES Abroad.
- IES Abroad local staff will assist students in purchasing food during the quarantine period if no meal plan is provided as part of the program and to help students to receive food so they will not need to break quarantine.
- Orientation sessions and the first sessions of the IES-taught courses will be conducted virtually until the quarantine period is over and in-person learning can begin.
- IES Abroad local staff will work with local university partners—if necessary—to help minimize the impact of the quarantine period upon students to the extent practicable.
- Students who violate the mandatory quarantine regulations may be subject to IES disciplinary procedures and it may jeopardize their future participation in the program.
- 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 and requirements may change at any time and without notice, possibly causing delays, testing, limitations of activities, free movement 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 until their program starts 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 applicable 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.
Quarantine Policies after Initial Program Start
- If a student contracts COVID-19 during the program term or must quarantine because of exposure, IES Abroad will assist the student with their housing meeting quarantine requirements or provide alternative accommodation to help protect both the student and others.
- IES Abroad local staff are available to help assist students with health and personal needs while seeking medical treatment for the virus and under quarantine.
- IES Abroad local staff are available to work with IES Abroad faculty to help facilitate student academic progress by helping to arrange for virtual class participation, recorded lectures, and other similar educational support.
- Under our global infectious disease protocols, IES Abroad Centers will undergo regular periodic cleaning and disinfection by professional cleaning services.
- To help enhance effective social/physical distancing, IES Abroad is taking pro-active measures in the classroom, too, including limiting class enrollment sizes, adjusting space layout for social distancing, room choice, and requiring student/faculty use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Should a program need to suspend on-site instruction due to COVID-19, students will continue their IES Abroad coursework in an online environment to the extent practicable. Partner university coursework may or may not be possible to continue online.
- Students are expected to obtain approval from their home school for any online instruction that may be required.
- IES Abroad will provide housing in apartments, residence halls, and in select locations, homestays, subject to availability. IES Abroad will strive to prioritize housing that can help facilitate social/physical distancing and compliance with applicable protocols, requirements and government directives, laws and regulations.
- IES Abroad requires students to be fully vaccinated and boosted prior to their program start date, subject to documented exemptions that may be granted for medical or religious under the IES Abroad vaccination policy. Students who have been granted exemption from our vaccination policy will not have the option to live with other students in shared housing.
- Students who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 may live with other students. IES Abroad will strive to honor roommate requests where possible and in accordance with our roommate policies.
- 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.
- 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 (those granted an exemption from our vaccination policy) 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.
- Any student who tests positive during an IES Abroad program will be assisted by our Center staff. Student monitoring will be provided until the student departs for their home country. If the student stays beyond the program dates, housing will be provided at cost to the student during their recovery program or until they are able to travel home.
- Any student granted a COVID-19 vaccine exemption by IES Abroad is subject to IES Abroad housing fees to accommodate their unvaccinated status, as well as, COVID-19 testing as required by both local or national laws and protocols in the program location.
Vaccine Statement
IES Abroad requires that students participating in our study abroad programs, Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, and in-person internship programs abroad be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 prior to the start of their program. These students and interns will be required to demonstrate documented proof of being fully vaccinated. Additionally, it is likely that some airlines or countries may require a negative COVID-19 test for travel.

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