Is studying abroad safe right now? This question has been on the minds of students and study abroad staff members alike for the last six months—and GoAbroad is here to break down the answer. As safety precautions are put into place and study abroad destinations show consistent improvement in containment and handling of the crisis, we are able to better understand study abroad safety.
Safety tips for students studying abroad during Covid are essential to follow.
It’s seemingly a lose-lose situation right now: You either study abroad and risk your health (and the health of others), or you forego studying abroad altogether. However, it’s entirely possible to partially mitigate the risks involved with traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic if you pay attention to safety measures in place and pursue destinations with reputable safety protocols on the national and local levels.
It’s also important to note that if your provider or university allows you to delay your semester abroad, weighing the opportunity to see if there are improvements regarding COVID-19 worldwide is an option to consider. Your comfort level is the ultimate decision maker, so always respect your personal boundaries.
All in all, you can safely prepare for study abroad through research, following safety precautions, and choosing your destination wisely while the risk of COVID-19 is present. Let’s take a look at essential study abroad safety tips to understand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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8 safety tips for students studying abroad during (or after) COVID
1. Choose an airline with high safety standards
In regards to flying, the U.S. Department of Defense found that “if passengers wear surgical masks continuously, very little of the virus spreads, because of how the air is circulated and filtered on the planes.” This is great news for the safety of those traveling.
It’s also important to choose airlines that have high safety standards. These airlines are enforcing all four of these important safety precautions: masks required, providing masks, cleaning before every flight, and blocking the middle seat from purchase.
- Alaska
- Delta
- Southwest
- Hawaiian
2. Utilize helpful pandemic-tracking resources
The CDC recommends using these two resources to monitor the risks of each host country:
- CDC COVID-19 Travel Health Notices by Destination
- U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisories
Keep up to date with what’s going on.
Some locations that are under the “No Travel Health Notice: COVID-19 Risk is Very Low” include Cambodia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and 24 others! On the CDC’s “Level 1: COVID-19 Risk Is Low” list, study abroad locations such as New Zealand and Thailand are ranked low risk.
Consider choosing a study abroad provider, such as IFSA, that offers significant pre-departure, on-site, and post-program support. Make sure your provider is monitoring details such as making sure the location’s border is open to U.S. travelers and providing plans for a two week quarantine if required.
3. Reach out to students studying abroad right now!
Students are studying abroad right now and you can follow along on Instagram and blogs. Most students welcome giving advice to others looking to study abroad so send them a message on Instagram and you’ll be able to connect with them directly.
Knowing what to expect during a semester abroad during COVID-19 will put your mind at ease, and you can gather some detailed study abroad safety tips. Ask them questions like: Do you feel safe during your time abroad? What obstacles have you faced? Looking back, are you glad you decided to go abroad during COVID-19? What are your greatest safety recommendations?
4. Factor in safety & academics when choosing a destination
Don’t stress. Safety is important and so are your goals!
After doing your research on destinations that are safe, it’s important to focus on your academics and interests. One of the most crucial factors in deciding where to study abroad is how the program, location, classes, professors, and activities excite you academically and personally.
Reading the program listings thoroughly, and researching which classes, extracurriculars, and activities are offered will help you find a program that you will enjoy—safely.
5. Choose a provider that caters to your personal boundaries
Study abroad providers are working hard to ensure the safety and success of their participants. It’s important to review how each provider is focusing on study abroad safety and selecting a provider based on your personal boundaries.
For example, if you have financial concerns and are on the fence about studying abroad, IFSA is issuing a full refund of any program fees paid, including the $500 non-refundable deposit, for students who withdraw for any reason for Winter 2021 or Spring 2021.
This Future-Focused Guarantee is IFSA’s way of telling students they understand that as safety requirements change, they want students to be able to make decisions without feeling locked in.
6. Keep track of travel restrictions and visa suspensions
Things are changing quickly right now. Don’t be caught unprepared!
This step might sound a bit intimidating, but there are plenty of resources that make it simple. Travel.State.Gov will provide you with international travel safety and security messaging. You can download an app and receive alerts for a specific country!
By monitoring the ever-changing restrictions on borders, visas, and travel, you’ll be able to select a country that isn’t constantly changing its status and policies—meaning you most likely won’t have to worry about last minute changes.
So, is studying abroad safe? Travel.State.Gov will provide a lot of answers to this question based on how COVID-19 has impacted locations around the world. Pro tip: Make sure you have an up-to-date passport, and if you need to apply for one, do it as soon as possible. There have been major processing delays since the start of COVID-19!
7. Read blogs and listen to podcasts
The best way to calm your nerves and get valuable information is by listening to those who are studying abroad right now! Steal These Thoughts has a podcast episode talking to Tasha Stevenson who has been navigating the pandemic while studying abroad in South Korea. She talks about adapting and gives advice to future students who are interested in studying abroad.
Blogs from program alumni are also a great way to learn about what to expect. A quick Google search will return multiple accounts of student experiences studying abroad during COVID-19, and how the experience has changed perspectives for the better. Hearing from your peers will definitely give you insight into the safety and experience of studying abroad during the pandemic.
Bonus: You can also read local news from the location you have chosen to get an objective on-the-ground perspective.
8. Set realistic expectations that still excite you!
Find your balance of managing expectations and staying inspired!
This tip pairs perfectly with the aforementioned. After gathering crucial safety tips for students studying abroad, setting realistic expectations will be pertinent to the success of your time abroad. The more information you gather from other students who have studied abroad during the pandemic, the more you’ll be able to get a grasp on what you can expect. The more you know about what’s open and operating, and what you’ll be able to do and see, the more exciting and realistic your preparation will be!
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Safe study abroad is possible!
So...is studying abroad safe, and can it be in a Covid world? The answer: The more you know, prepare, research, and communicate, the safer your experience will be! As mentioned before, COVID-19 is a risk when it comes to study abroad but that doesn’t mean you can’t take well-prepared steps with a plan to combat that risk. Remember to honor yourself and your comfort level when making this decision and to get as much information as possible.
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This article was written with help from IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad. A nonprofit organization founded more than thirty years ago at Butler University, IFSA delivers future-focused study abroad programs around the globe, helping students gather critical perspectives, knowledge, and skills essential for future success.
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