Greetings!
We hope you are enjoying a safe and productive fall semester! Here at the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS), the Study Abroad and World Scholars teams are preparing for you to join more than 350 students on 20 study abroad programs (yes, Hawaii counts) this winter. The CGPS team is committed to supporting you throughout your study abroad experience, beginning with this pre-departure email, and a series of resources and orientations between now and your departure in January.
Below you will find a list of important deadlines, mandatory and optional events, and resources to review as you prepare for your journey this winter. If you miss a deadline it will result in removal from your study abroad program, so please reach out to your faculty director or program coordinator immediately if you have any concerns. Please save this email for future reference, and share it with your family and emergency contacts.
To be clear, study abroad in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic will look different than in the past. The University has granted CGPS permission to run a limited study abroad program that is closely aligned with the health and safety measures implemented on campus this fall. The policies articulated below, along with careful planning and preparation on your part, allow for the unique opportunity to benefit from the exchange of cultures and knowledge that comes with studying abroad.
Pre-Departure Requirements:
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Due November 1: In alignment with UD policy, students are required to be fully immunized against COVID-19. Students must present a valid vaccination record to Student Health Services and will also submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure as required by local and international guidelines.
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Due November 1: Review and sign the 22W Amended Acknowledgement of Risk which clearly articulates travel risks and mitigation measures for your time abroad.
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November 10 and 11: Optional pre-departure health and safety townhall with CGPS from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., on Zoom. Register for November 10; or Register for November 11.
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Pre-departure orientations: Students are required to attend all program-specific pre-departure orientations as instructed by your faculty director. Program orientation meetings will include site-specific information, including crisis management plans, housing details, options for academic travel, and an overview of local health and safety rules and regulations.
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Due November 29, 2021: Mandatory pre-departure online health and safety orientation module in Canvas. This asynchronous orientation will provide all students with health, safety and orientation resources including country-specific details from UD, GeoBlue, Crisis24, the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of State and local host organizations.
Additional 22W Study Abroad Policies:
- 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 not be permitted to reside in “Homestay” accommodations while 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.
- Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) such as facemasks and hand sanitizer will be provided to students as needed.
- 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.
As a national leader in study abroad programming, we are excited to support your global exploration this winter. Please monitor your UD email for additional communications from your program coordinator and hosts abroad. Should you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to visit www.udel.edu/global/study-abroad/safety and to contact us at go-global@udel.edu.
Sincerely,
Matt Drexler
Interim Associate Director, Study Abroad
