Dear Students on External Study Abroad Programs,
We recognize that the current situation surrounding COVID-19 is challenging, uncertain, and stressful. We held off writing to you until now as we knew that the study abroad landscape was about to change overnight. As you are on a leave of absence currently and enrolled with external programs, we cannot provide a uniform update to you; it will depend on your program status, location, and your comfort level. We ask that you read this message closely as there are various scenarios that you need to consider based on your individual program.
Currently, this proclamation “suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. This does not apply to legal U.S. permanent residents, (generally) immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation”.
These new developments have far-reaching effects on study abroad programs. Program providers are directly advising students and working with their own local partners, governments, and health agencies to determine any response plans. Please follow all instructions you receive from your program provider or local institution.
If you are an international student, please contact Heather Varnet at the I-Center (Heather.Varnet@tufts.edu or 617-627-3458) to discuss your visa status, as special circumstances are being provided due to this unprecedented situation.
If your program is cancelled and there is no online option, you must leave and return to your home country of record. You will no longer be covered under the Tufts International SOS and Travel Medical Coverage. We will need to change your leave of absence status from study abroad to personal leave. You have 7 days after the cancellation of your program to return to your home country. You are required to notify Tufts Global Education by emailing Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu so we can update your records.
If your program is suspended and moves to only an online option, you must leave and return to your home country of record. You will no longer be covered under the Tufts International SOS and Travel Medical Coverage. You have 7 days after the suspension of your program to return to your home country. Please follow all instructions provided by your program. You are required to notify Tufts Global Education by emailing Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu so we can update your records.
If your program continues to operate, but you have been given the option to leave and conduct online coursework, you have two options:
1. If you chose to stay and your program continues to operate, you will continue to be covered under the Tufts International SOS and Travel Medical Coverage if you have the support of the local staff and you are able to take classes. You are required to notify Tufts Global Education by emailing Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu so we can update your records.
OR
2. If you choose the online option, you need to return to your home country of record. You will have 7 days following your decision to leave your program location and take online classes. Tufts does not cover online students under the International SOS and Travel Medical Coverage. Tufts cannot provide financial assistance for your return home; you should work with your program to obtain financial support if you need it. You are required to notify Tufts Global Education by emailing Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu so we can update your records.
If you are directly enrolled in a foreign academic institution and did not work with a study abroad provider program, please note the following three options:
1. If the university continues to operate and you have regular classes, you may choose to stay abroad. Please consider, however, that travel restrictions both in Europe and from Europe to the US will likely continue to become more stringent. This is already the case in parts of Asia and we expect this to expand to other regions. We also expect airlines to significantly reduce available flights to the US and other countries. We therefore strongly recommend that you return to your home country of record. Please note that if your current program location is elevated to a U.S. Department of State Level 4, you will be required to return to the home country of record, regardless of your host university’s operation status. Please inform Tufts Global Education of your university’s status as soon as it is announced. We need to hear from you to maintain your coverage with International SOS.
2. If the university suspends classes, and there is no online option, you are required to return to your home country of record. You will no longer be covered under the Tufts International SOS Coverage and International Travel Medical Insurance. We will need to change your leave of absence status from study abroad to personal leave. You are required to notify Tufts Global Education by emailing Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu so we can update your records.
3. If the university suspends classes, and moves instruction online, you are required to return to your home country of record. You will no longer be covered under the Tufts International SOS Coverage and International Travel Medical Insurance. You are required to notify Tufts Global Education by emailing Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu so we can update your records.
Transfer of Credits
If you choose any of the remote online options, given these exceptional circumstances Tufts will accept transfer of credits for grades C-or better and you will still receive your residency requirement. You should contact Tufts Global Education Program Manager, Scott Langevin, at scott.langevin@tufts.edu and email your Advising Dean as soon as you have made your decision. If you need a letter from us confirming your decision, please email Scott Langevin at scott.langevin@tufts.edu as soon as possible.
Governments, academic institutions, and programs are still making decisions and you should be prepared that this may impact your plans. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and we are receiving updates from programs around the world. We need you to communicate with us directly as study abroad program operations are changing hourly.
We know that this may cause students additional stress and anxiety. Please remember that you may contact International SOS for telephone counseling and mental health services at +1-215-942-8478.
All students should register any travel with the Tufts Travel Registry so that they receive pertinent alerts while traveling. Should a student be affected, we will work with them individually to address their situation and ability to participate in their program. We strongly request that students do not travel to any known impact areas. Each program or host university may prohibit travel to certain locations, and it is the responsibility of the student to stay up to date on local restrictions, quarantines, and self-isolation protocols.
Important Resources
Key Contacts
Given the ongoing health crisis around the globe, if you should depart from an area that has significant cases at the time of your departure, you will need to self-isolate in the U.S or your home country. Until you are symptom-free for at least 14 days from the day you leave such an area, you should not be in close contact with others. You should not return to the Medford campus as Tufts has suspended all classes and on-campus activities beginning Friday, March 13th.
Please know that we care deeply about your safety. We recognize that the spread of COVID-19 is creating significant disruption to many students’ semesters. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for your patience as we navigate the increasingly complex circumstances.
Sincerely,
Mala Ghosh
Senior Director, Tufts Global Education
Elisabeth Keegan
Assistant Director of International Health and Safety, Tufts Global Operations
