Dear Family Members and Emergency Contacts,
As an emergency contact for a winter/spring 2022 study abroad student, please be aware that you may have (or soon will) receive a message from the Center for Global Programs & Services (CGPS) automated email system with the subject “UD Travel Study – Important Info for Families”. We believe that this automated email requires clarification and would like to make sure you have the correct information as your student plans for study abroad.
To prepare for your student’s health and safety abroad we encourage you to visit the CGPS Health and Safety Abroad website. There you can find more information about UD’s international health insurance through GeoBlue and our Travel Assistance and Evacuation Coverage through Crisis24 (formerly called Drum-Cussac). Additionally, you can review study abroad FAQs and Messaging that have been sent to your student over the past few months. We’ll continue to update those pages and FAQ with information related to study abroad and international travel.
We’d also like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that UD allows for a limited study abroad program this academic year. CGPS is preparing risk mitigation and crisis management plans with the support of the University’s Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC). Our office, program faculty directors, and host institutions have all provided students with site-specific pre-departure guidance regarding travel protocols and restrictions at their host site - and will continue to communicate updates as policies and guidelines change.
All students have also been enrolled in a comprehensive pre-departure course in Canvas (for winter), and attend mandatory orientation meetings (spring and winter) where they receive important information for staying safe abroad, international health insurance details, and site-specific information for their program. All students and faculty have also provided verification of vaccination and have been strongly advised to get booster shots before departure.
As you and your student discuss their study abroad experience we ask that you help reinforce the policies that will help keep everyone safe and prevent academic disruptions during the program. Students will be required to adhere to the following regulations prior to and during their study abroad program:
- In alignment with UD policy, students are required to be fully immunized against COVID-19. Students who have not done so as per UD policy must upload a valid vaccination record to the Student Health Services Portal. Students will also submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure as required by local and international guidelines.
- Students will not be permitted to reside in “Homestay” accommodations while abroad.
- Students are authorized by UD to travel to a single country of activity and are restricted from travel to other countries for the duration of their UD study abroad program except for travel to fulfill an academic requirement.
- Students will be required to review and sign an amended acknowledgment of risk that clearly articulates travel risks and mitigation measures abroad.
- Students will be expected to submit an international phone number and register their information with CGPS crisis management systems such as GeoBlue and Crisis24.
- Failure to comply with UD, host institution or local country regulations will result in a referral for failure to comply with UD’s Student Conduct policy.
We know heading into the winter and spring travel season that study abroad will be different this year. We are proud of the way in which your students have prepared themselves in the pre-departure stage, and we appreciate your support as we continue to navigate evolving worldwide travel regulations. If you have immediate questions or concerns, please contact us at studyabroad@udel.edu or (302) 831-2115.
Respectfully,
Matt Drexler
Interim Associate Director, Study Abroad
