Sent on behalf of Tufts Global Education and Global Operations.
Dear Study Abroad Students, Parents, and Families,
We are writing to all current Tufts Global Education study abroad students and emergency contacts registered with the Tufts Global Education office in order to provide an update related to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
We understand that this fluid situation may cause stress, anxiety, and uncertainty for our students abroad and their families. Our first commitment is to the safety and well-being of our students abroad, and we are fully focused on monitoring the rapidly changing circumstances. We are in close communication with our staff abroad and program partners. Furthermore, we are working collaboratively across all departments at Tufts University to navigate the current landscape, mitigate risks, and update all emergency plans accordingly.
Tufts follows the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory and Center for Disease Control Warning levels and alerts. If a country, city, or region within a country is elevated to a level 3 (“avoid all non-essential travel”) or higher, we perform an immediate review to assess the impact to our students and staff in detail and on a case-by-case basis. This assessment includes information from our local staff, our international assistance provider, International SOS, and the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC); we also work with peers and partners through PULSE, a network of international health and safety professionals in higher education. This assessment determines the impact on a program and our ability to mitigate issues related to health and safety.
As you are likely aware, travel guidance is currently issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea, and several countries have imposed entry restrictions, quarantines, and isolation protocols. The CDC also issued a statement on March 1 recommending that institutions of higher education “consider postponing or canceling student foreign exchange programs” and “consider asking current program participants to return to their home country.” We know that many students studying abroad, as well as their parents and families, are understandably concerned by the evolving circumstances surrounding the spread of COVID-19, and we want to assure you that students’ safety remains our highest priority. No members of the Tufts community abroad or on campuses in the greater Boston area have been identified as having the coronavirus, and we continue to be informed that the risk to the Tufts community remains low.
Update on Tufts Programs Abroad
At this time, no countries in which Tufts students are currently studying on Tufts Programs Abroad (Chile, Madrid, Oxford, Paris, Tübingen, and the United Kingdom) have been elevated to a level 3 or higher by the U.S. Department of State or CDC. Therefore, all Tufts Programs Abroad continue to operate. Tufts has carefully reviewed the CDC’s March 1 guidance and has determined that all our current Tufts Programs Abroad are aligned with their recommendations. We are also in regular contact with our Resident Directors, who remain up to date on guidance from local academic partners, government agencies, and health organizations. Students should continue to follow the advice and recommendations provided at the local level by our staff.
If warning levels in countries in which students are studying on Tufts Abroad Programs rise to a level 3 or higher, similar protocols and arrangements now in effect for our students in Italy and South Korea on external programs will be implemented (see below).
Update on External Abroad Programs
Tufts also works in partnership with a number of institutions to provide study abroad opportunities through external programs. Students take a leave of absence from Tufts University to study abroad and enroll with other institutions or program providers. Those external partners are working directly with students, along with local officials, governments, and health agencies to determine any response plans related to COVID-19. We are also in communication with these providers and receive updates as they become available. Students and families should be in direct communication with their individual program partner for the most up-to-date information.
At this time, Italy and South Korea have been elevated to a level 3 status by the CDC, which means our review process for students in those countries on external programs has been initiated. We are in direct communication with each student impacted by these elevated advisories. We are working with the program partners so we can best support students. Additionally, we have asked all students to work with their Advising Deans at Tufts to discuss academic plans and transfer of credits. Given the timing of the semester, students cannot return to the Medford campus to add courses. While we are unable to provide accommodation on our Medford campus this spring, each external study abroad program provider is working with students on financial reimbursements.
No other countries in which Tufts students are currently studying on external programs have been elevated to a level 3 or higher by the U.S. Department of State or CDC, and operations continue. If warning levels in other countries in which Tufts students are studying on external programs rise to a level 3 or higher, similar protocols and arrangements now in effect for our students in Italy and South Korea will be implemented. For Japan (now a level 2), please note that individual study abroad programs are in communication directly with each student as the situation develops.
If you are a student currently abroad on an external program, please be sure to follow any updates sent by your program provider. If you are directly enrolled at a university or college abroad, please make sure you also check their website for more information and contact their international program office directly.
University Travel Guidance
As you may be aware, Tufts University has recently issued travel guidance to the community. This guidance includes a recommendation to consider avoiding any international travel, especially to countries currently impacted by COVID-19. Because the spread of the coronavirus remains fluid, Tufts Global Education has also specifically asked all students to avoid affected areas and monitor entry restrictions, quarantines, and isolation protocols for any country to which they are considering traveling. We have strongly encouraged travelers to monitor U.S. restrictions, quarantines, and isolation protocols as well.
Every individual and family has particular circumstances to assess in relation to COVID-19, and a specific comfort level for health and safety. We encourage you to review the information above, guidelines from the U.S. Department of State, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University’s Community and Travel Guidance Related to the Coronavirus and make decisions that are best for you and your family. As a reminder, any student can choose to leave a program voluntarily. While we cannot guarantee students will receive academic credit, financial support for travel arrangements, or refunds for their program of study, we will work with you to address concerns in the event you elect to leave your program.
Please note: The CDC has issued an updated travel health alert with instructions on 14-day self-quarantine for travelers returning from level-3 countries: you should not be on campus at this time, during your isolation period. Until you are symptom-free for at least 14 days, you should not be in close contact with others.
Resources
We will continue to work with colleagues and partners abroad and at Tufts to find optimal solutions on a case-by-case basis. Thank you for your attention to this message, and please know that our students’ safety and well-being will always be our highest priority.
Sincerely,
Mala Ghosh
Senior Director, Tufts Global Education
Claudia Jackson
Director, Global Operations
