December 2021 International Travel Update
Ahead of the Spring 2022 semester, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is providing information for students to consider before departure.
VACCINATION AND BOOSTER SHOTS: CRITICAL FOR SPRING 2022 STUDY ABROAD
In addition to complying with the university’s policy on vaccination, you are strongly encouraged to receive a booster before departing the United States. This will help mitigate future issues with the evolving definition of “fully vaccinated,” vaccine eligibility, and potential costs incurred from seeking vaccination abroad.
Find more information about COVID-19 boosters in Champaign-Urbana. CDC guidelines and information for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots can be found on the CDC website.
INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING COVID-19 BENEFITS
The university’s international insurance is a critical resource. It provides substantial coverage for COVID-19 and general medical care, including tele-health and tele-counseling, some testing, hospital care, and benefits for quarantine in specific conditions. All students are automatically enrolled for semester study abroad programs.
Read the full Student Insurance Guide here and download a mobile version here.
RESUMING STUDY ABROAD
The decision to resume study abroad is not made lightly. While the university values the study abroad experience, student well-being remains the university’s foremost concern.
Factors Mitigating COVID-19 Risk
Risk associated with COVID-19 will remain indefinitely. However, developments continue to mitigate the level of risk. Positive developments and university efforts include:
Impact of University Cancellation of Study Abroad
The university values the study abroad experience and seeks it for students. The university, though, will not accept unreasonable risk to well-being. The university retains the right to suspend study abroad programs at any time. If factors discussed below require the difficult but necessary decision to cancel study abroad programs, the university will do so. In this event, staff will diligently work with study abroad partners to recoup all possible costs but students are responsible for costs that cannot be recovered, including personal costs for airfare and lodging. This applies to suspension before and during program dates. If students have questions, they can check their Confirmation of Participation in My Study Abroad and/or their program refund policies.
Potential Factors for University Cancellation
Vaccination, planning, and healthy habits can mitigate some risk, the remaining risk can still be significant. In deciding to suspend a program, Illinois will consider factors that may affect well-being and/or the overall study abroad experience:
Find more information about planning and preparations for Spring 2022 study abroad in Frequently Asked Questions.
CONTINUE CHECKING REQUIREMENTS
The information above presents a baseline understanding of the changing realities of study abroad and COVID-19 in Spring 2022. Requirements and best practices evolve continuously with the pandemic. Students need to remain informed as their departure date approaches.