Education Abroad Pre-Departure Preparation

Updated December 2, 2021

 

Updated August 6, 2021

COVID-19 Considerations: Pre-departure Information

Penn State Education Abroad will communicate clearly and directly with students via their Penn State email accounts regarding any programmatic changes, cancellations, and critical timelines in preparation for study abroad. Please note that even if a program receives official approval to proceed, it could be cancelled at a later date if circumstances warrant.

Please review the information on this page carefully as you prepare to depart for your education abroad program.

Vaccination Information

As announced in Penn State News on July 30, 2021, all students on University-affiliated international travel that begins August 1 or later must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before departure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals not travel internationally until they are fully vaccinated, as getting vaccinated lowers the risk for severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19.

Therefore, Penn State students approved to participate in an education abroad program will be required to attest that they are or will be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 by their date of departure, or that they have or are pursuing a medical or religious exception via the appropriate offices at Penn State.  Exemptions by personal choice require approval from academic unit leadership and review by the Assistant Vice Provost for Global Learning.  Details on medical, religious, or other exemption requests are available within the education abroad application portal and by contacting educationabroad@psu.edu.

Students should not delay in getting vaccinated if they have not yet gotten their first round of shots. Those who are eligible for a booster should get their dose before departure because we cannot guarantee access to booster shots while abroad. Information on where to get vaccines and boosters can be found on the CDC website.

Omicron Variant Information

Recently, a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, has been identified as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization. At this time very little is known about this new variant and there is no firm evidence that it is more transmissible or dangerous than earlier variants. The Penn State Global Safety Team along with the staff from the Education Abroad Office will continue to closely monitor the situation as more information becomes available, but at this time there is no change in the status of Penn State-approved education abroad programs for the spring 2022 term.

Many countries have reacted to the news of the Omicron variant by altering entrance requirements and putting in place restrictions to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. With these rapidly changing regulations, we encourage all spring 2022 education abroad students to regularly check the State Department COVID 19 Country Specific website to stay informed of the current protocols in place for their destination.  We also recommend that students check their Penn State email regularly for any program updates.

COVID-19 Testing Information

Be aware that there are two types of tests: diagnostic and non-diagnostic tests. When students are asked for negative test results before boarding a plane or before crossing the borders and entering the country where their program takes place, students will need to provide diagnostic test results (the most common one is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). As explained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, this kind of test “detects the RNA genetic material in the COVID-19 virus and is often collected via nasal pharyngeal; mid turbinate; nasal, oral or throat swab; or saliva collection.”

Antibody tests detect antibodies in the blood indicating possible prior exposure to COVID-19, and they are non-diagnostic tests, which cannot substitute the diagnostic tests needed for the purpose of showing a negative test result.

Note: No test is perfect. There is a false negative rate and false positive rate that varies depending on the test and the collection modality. The accuracy of antigen tests may be problematic due to poor sensitivity.

Do I Need a COVID-19 Test Before Traveling?

Students should consult with their airline and the entry requirements of their destination country (and any other country through which they will pass due to flight changes or layovers) regarding the type of test result required and the specific timeframe in which the test and result must be completed. 

Please review information available through the following sources to determine what type of testing is needed:

Where to get a COVID-19 Test Before Traveling

To find out where you can get a COVID-19 test before traveling on an Education Abroad program and what type of test is available at University Park campus or the Commonwealth campuses please visit Penn State’s COVID-19 resource site.

Students who reside in Pennsylvania permanently or due to their enrollment at Penn State can utilize the network of testing sites available in Pennsylvania.  Please review the testing site locations and check whether tests are available for asymptomatic individuals and travelers.

Students who reside outside of Pennsylvania or who will not be in Pennsylvania immediately prior to traveling to their education abroad destination should consult with the department of health or health department of their home state or country.

Do I Need a COVID-19 Test upon My Return to the United States?

Yes. All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.

Student Withdrawal From Program

All students must complete the official commitment process to confirm their participation in their intended study abroad program.  As part of the commitment process, students agree to various financial obligations and potential penalties in the event that a student changes their mind and withdraws their participation.  We understand that current global conditions related to COVID-19 may cause uncertainty and anxiety for students and their families, even after the students have committed to the program.  Penn State maintains that the health and safety of its students and employees is of the utmost importance.  With that in mind, we ask you to closely review the enclosed information on withdrawing from the program after commitment.

Program Withdrawal Policy (Non faculty-led Programs)

Penn State offers a number of Education Abroad (EA) programs via third parties (e.g., CIEE, IES, and Arcadia, or direct enroll programs arranged between Penn State and an international institution) pursuant to which Penn State makes financial commitments to those third parties on behalf of Penn State students enrolled in EA Programs.  For EA Programs where Penn State makes financial commitments on behalf of students to third parties, the amount of any tuition refund will depend on what, if any, refund can be secured from the third party.  Students participating in a third-party EA Program are therefore subject to the third party’s withdrawal and refund policies and should review applicable withdrawal and refund policies carefully.

Program Withdrawal Policy (Faculty-led Programs)

Faculty-led programs begin making payments and arrangements for students well before departure and are subject to strict withdrawal penalties. In case of withdrawal, the following fees will be charged to your Bursar account:

  • Upon Commitment – 90 Days Prior to Departure: 10% Program Fee + $150 EA Admin Fee
  • 50 – 89 Days Prior to Departure: 25% Program Fee + $150 EA Admin Fee
  • 49-22 days prior to departure: 50% of program fee + $150 EA Admin Fee
  • 21 days or less: 100% Program Fee + $150 EA Admin Fee
What if my Program Gets Cancelled?

Our staff realizes that circumstances continue to evolve and any education abroad program could be cancelled without notice, including very shortly before the program is set to begin.  Take note of the following considerations:

  • If your education abroad program is cancelled with sufficient notice prior to the start date, it may be possible to switch your participation to a different Penn State education abroad program that is approved to proceed.
  • If your education abroad program is cancelled with relatively late notice, it might not be possible to change your participation to a different program.
  • Your education abroad adviser can assist you in determining what your options are for international experiences in the event that your program is cancelled.
  • If Penn State or your host organization cancels your study abroad program, you will be held harmless from any billable financial penalties associated with the program cancellation (i.e., tuition and program fee as published on your Penn State Education Abroad program brochure).  
  • Airfare will not be refunded to students by Penn State. It is critical that students understand the cancellation and refund/flight credit options offered by their particular airline.

In the unlikely event that your education abroad program is cancelled after it has already begun abroad, the Education Abroad office will communicate with you concerning contingency plans and details on returning to your home country. Students should understand that immediate departure from your host location may be difficult or impossible if travel restrictions or flight availability shift without notice.