The university continues to monitor the global risk environment and will follow guidance from such authorities as the U.S. State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public health and security experts. In addition, factors such as the health care infrastructure in individual countries, public health indicators, availability of citizen services at U.S. embassies and consulates, and border entrance requirements also inform our decisions. 

Once programs have successfully launched, we continue to monitor the health and security environment in each location so our students can safely study and live in their host countries. Should your program location be designated as a Level 4 by the CDC and DoS, a comprehensive health and safety assessment of your program location will be completed. Decisions about the operating status of programs, including possible cancellations at any time (before or during program dates), will be informed by health and safety assessments on an ongoing basis.

While abroad, students should follow the health and safety regulations of local public health and legal authorities, and adhere to the policies outlined by their program providers. 

UMD continuously monitors the global risk environment and makes decisions about study abroad programs based on guidance from the U.S. State Department (DoS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our in-country partners and other public health and security experts. UMD considers study abroad related travel “essential travel.”

All students who travel abroad for either credit earning or university-sponsored, non-credit programs are automatically enrolled in our risk management program. This program includes comprehensive international health insurance, access to Alert Traveler, tracking dates and location of travel in case of emergency, and more. 

Explore more Health & Safety Resources.

UMD students, faculty, and staff participating in study abroad programs have access and are strongly encouraged to use the AlertTraveler (AT) phone app for the duration of their study abroad experience. AT is a very important part of the health and safety network of resources in place to support the wellbeing of all participants on study abroad programs. The app is available for download to iOS or Android mobile devices. Participants are eligible to download AT 60 days from your MyEA itinerary’s start date.

The Benefits of AlertTraveler:

Safety alerts. AT keeps you informed of health, safety and security issues specific to your travel locations. AT uses your MyEA itinerary to send country and city-specific safety and security alerts and intelligence straight to your phone. 

Enable location services. Enabling location services on your mobile device allows AT to send  targeted alerts based on your GPS location, down to the city level. We strongly encourage travelers to enable location services. Doing so provides you with AT’s optimal service – putting timely, location-specific health, safety and security information at your fingertips immediately.

Safety check-in. Another important feature of the app is the instant check-in option. This helps Education Abroad quickly reach out to you when emergencies arise to see if you are okay or if you need assistance. You can also proactively request help in emergencies.  

Other features. Other helpful features include info pages on security, local 911-equivalent numbers, travel logistics, political conditions, health advisories, and culture.

Read more about AlertTraveler on our Health & Safety page. 

All students who travel abroad for credit or for university-sponsored, non-credit programs are automatically enrolled in comprehensive international health insurance through CISI (included in each student's program fee).

UMD has added additional coverage in your CISI international insurance policy that covers you while you are abroad. The quarantine benefit covers expenses such as those incurred for lodging and meals during unexpected mandatory quarantine, the cost of a one-way economy airfare ticket to either the insured person’s home country or to re-join the group; and non-refundable travel arrangements. This coverage is limited to quarantine/isolation that results from close contact, positive test, or other government directed mandate and does not include quarantine required upon arrival to a country because those requirements are known prior to travel. For additional details on your CISI policy, visit: https://www.culturalinsurance.com/umd

We also encourage all students to purchase travel insurance through CISI to offset non-refundable costs in the event that a program is canceled or a student choose to voluntarily withdraw from their program.

While we hope that all of our study abroad program offerings will run as planned, the health, safety and travel landscape may change and programs may be canceled by UMD at any time.  

UMD continuously monitors the global risk environment and makes decisions about study abroad programs based on guidance from the U.S. State Department (DoS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our in-country partners and other public health and security experts. Once programs have successfully launched, we continue to monitor the health and security environment in each location so our students can safely study and live in their host countries. Decisions about the operating status of programs, including possible cancellations at any time (before or during program dates), will be informed by  these assessments on an ongoing basis. 

To safeguard yourself academically and financially in the event of program cancellation, Education Abroad advises all students applying to a study abroad program to:

• Purchase refundable airline tickets and travel insurance
• Familiarize themselves with refund policies associated with program cancellation
• Register for classes at UMD in addition to study abroad courses (for students who are planning to study abroad for a fall or spring semester)

Education Abroad will notify students directly of any changes to their program status and will support students through program cancellation procedures. Education Abroad will also coordinate with campus partners to assist transitioning students to a semester on campus, including supporting academic and financial aid advising.

The ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic pose many challenges for international travel, and it is possible that an unexpected disruption would necessitate an early return. Education Abroad will notify students directly of any changes to their program status and support students through program disruption procedures. 

There should be no disruption to your academic studies. UMD partners with programs that have established provisions for students to continue coursework remotely, should a program be interrupted during the term.

Once you commit to a program, Education Abroad does not guarantee that any portion of the program fee will be credited to your student account should you withdraw from the program for any reason. Read more about EA's withdrawal policy on the Financial Commitment, Withdrawals & Refunds page. 

EA encourages all students to purchase travel insurance through CISI to offset non-refundable costs in the event that a student chooses to voluntarily withdraw from their program.