COVID Impact
There are many considerations that factor into researching and selecting an international program, this year has added a new layer. This section provides guidance on how COVID could, or will, affect your experience abroad.
Health and Safety
Study abroad programs will only be able to run if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
Program providers and the Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad will communicate with program participants to make them aware of and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, protocols, and procedures in effect at the time of the program as directed by:
- Clemson University
- The host country
- The program provider/host university
- Site visits and excursion locations
The highest level of health and safety will take precedence in cases where there are differences in requirements, protocols, or procedures.
Insurance
All students who participate in a study abroad program are required to have insurance coverage through Clemson University or their program provider, which is equal to or greater than the Clemson policy. Clemson’s study abroad insurance is provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Applicable insurance policies should cover medical expenses, medical evacuation, medical reunion, repatriation, a security evacuation rider, and trip delay benefits.
For CISI COVID-19 specific coverage questions, please consult this
FAQ.
Mobility
Program participants may not be allowed to travel outside of their host country for the duration of the program, this will be determined by your program provider.
Border restrictions or quarantine protocols in effect for visiting or returning from another country may make travel impractical for short-term programs. Program participants can make independent travel arrangements after the program has ended.
Housing
Program providers may make alterations to housing requirements in order to address COVID-19 related concerns. For up-to-date information, contact your program provider directly.
Quarantine + Personal Protective Equipment
Program providers will communicate with students directly regarding required quarantines upon arrival. In addition, the provider will share any additional requirements that you need to adhere to before, during, and after the program.
In the event of illness
If an individual experiences symptoms of COVID-19, they will be required to follow local guidelines, including taking a diagnostic test, isolating until symptoms subside and/or they get a negative test result, and informing local health authorities and program leadership of all individuals they were in contact with during the period preceding their illness. Program providers will follow the direction of local health authorities regarding recommended contact tracing and quarantine protocols.
Given strict regulations regarding COVID-19, program providers may not be authorized to accompany participants to hospitals but will seek to help in every way permissible. Some local protocols dictate that individuals who suspect they have COVID-19 and require a doctor’s care must be transported via ambulance and no others are allowed to accompany them in the ambulance. CISI’s insurance plan provides for medical care or treatment that is required due to a suspected case of COVID-19.
Academic continuity
Clemson University and the Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad are committed to providing transparency if your academic program is impacted. Applicants should be prepared for the following situations:
1. Your intended 3rd party provider program is not able to travel to the host destination. If this occurs, one of the following options will be in effect:
- Choose to participate in an alternative program.
- Choose to participate in a virtual study abroad experience
- The program may be cancelled, and you will have the option of registering for equivalent Clemson Online courses. Out of state students will be charged out-of-state tuition rates for Clemson Online courses.
2. Your host country requires a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival. In this situation, you may be allowed to participate in virtual instruction during this introductory time period and any on-site experiential learning will occur after the completion of quarantine.
3. A program participant or program administrator is exposed to the Coronavirus during a program. Individually, or as a group, the course will be adjusted to allow for virtual academic continuity.
- All academic continuity will be facilitated through the 3rd party provider organization or host university.
Financial Planning
Students are advised not to make any advance payments towards travel or program participation until they have a full understanding of the refund policies.
