CIS Abroad Response to COVID-19. Updates here.

COVID-19 Updates

Here’s how we’re moving forward as the world reopens.

We're excited to offer new ways to support your office and help students engage with the world

Our New Strategic Operations Division

IEP, the well-known international education consulting company, has come on board as our new strategic operations division. We are excited to support your internationalization goals through this consulting and staffing service. From budget freezes to staff reductions to constant contingency planning, the majority of our partners have been impacted by the pandemic. How can you revitalize your office and rally your teams to gain momentum again? Learn more here and in our previously recorded webinar: “Are you ready to restart? Key tools to get your office back in action.”

How we can help support your office as the world reopens

Virtual Programs

We offer Virtual Global Internships that are 6 weeks with a few start dates per term. Students will be connected with a company in Argentina, Barcelona, South Africa, Ecuador, New Zealand, or NYC to work on a project in their chosen career field. We also offer virtual summer and semester study programs through our overseas partners. Students can gain international learning experience without leaving home through our innovative courses that combine remote live lectures, virtual field trips, and class engagement.

Browse Virtual Intern Fields

Virtual Interns! Earn a Micro-credential

The Working Across Cultures micro-credential documents that virtual interns have developed certain key competencies that the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has designated as being essential for new college grads. Specifically, it indicates to potential employers that students have demonstrated skills in the areas of critical thinking/problem-solving, global/intercultural fluency, professionalism/work ethic, and digital technology.

Micro-credential Add-On: Working Remotely Across Cultures

What are CIS Abroad health and safety policies with respect to COVID-19?

There are many, but here’s a quick summary and more can be found on our latest Return to Travel plan. We have carefully curated our 2021 program offerings to mitigate COVID-19 risk and are only running programs in locations where our academic institutions have guaranteed that they are willing and able to follow local and host national guidelines for pandemic health, safety, and sanitation. Additionally, we have altered the program design to help to reduce risk, particularly when it comes to housing. You can see part of this design change in our COVID Care Package which includes:

COVID compliant airport pick-up and transfer to housing.
Access to quarantine housing upon entry, if quarantine is required when entering the country; this housing may incur additional charges*
Information and assistance on meal delivery, if quarantine is required when entering the country
COVID-safe classrooms, campus facilities, and housing as well as access to masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies according to country and location-specific standards
Access to accommodation if isolation is necessary due to positive COVID test or exposure; this housing may incur additional charges.
Access to COVID testing; this testing may be an additional charge.
Medical and accident insurance that covers COVID-related illness (except for on programs operating in the USA).
La Vida Local cultural activities and reflection that emphasize safe, local exploration geared to the specific context of being abroad at this special time.

And finally we have created a new agreement and release for students that outlines what behavioral expectations we have for study abroad in the pandemic. Students know from the beginning that their ability to travel may be limited, they may not be able to have visitors while on program, there may be areas that are no-go ‘red zones’ for personal travel, etc.

See CIS Abroad’s position on COVID-19 Vaccinations here.

Is CIS Abroad requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students?

CIS Abroad strongly recommends our program participants receive a COVID-19 vaccination before departing for their study abroad destination. Vaccination is the best way to end this global pandemic and to show care for the communities in which we operate. We develop our CIS Abroad policies and protocols for international travel and study in consideration of local country guidelines and restrictions. We expect that there will be continued lifting of restrictions for vaccinated individuals.

What are the benefits of being vaccinated before going abroad?

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, our on-site staff, your professors, and loved ones from COVID-19 infection
It is the best way to protect against the spread of variants and to end this global pandemic
Certain airlines, countries, and international universities may require the COVID-19 vaccine. Even those that do not, may impose quarantine-upon-entry requirements (10-14 day quarantine, with a cost of approximately $2,000) and isolation restrictions on unvaccinated students. It is a student’s responsibility to ensure vaccination requirements are met.
If exposed to a person who tests positive for COVID-19, unvaccinated students may be required to quarantine. Often this quarantine will require relocating to different housing, at an additional cost.
Students who are vaccinated may be able to travel more widely during free time, whereas students who are unvaccinated may not be able to travel beyond the region where they are studying.
There may be mandatory testing for unvaccinated students.
There will be no refunds to students who are unable to complete the program due to a lack of required vaccines. So, don’t risk your money!

Are there places students can’t go if not vaccinated?

Likely yes. Each country determines its own policies and protocol for entry and exit. We expect that unvaccinated students will face quarantine-upon-entry requirements. The cost of this quarantine and the potential disruption to academics is the responsibility of the student.

Many countries have regional travel restrictions for unvaccinated individuals.

Europe is allowing travel between countries for vaccinated individuals, but not for unvaccinated individuals.

Will there be unvaccinated people with whom students come in contact with?

Yes. Vaccine availability varies across countries. There will likely be some participants, as well as staff and local students and community members who are not vaccinated. Therefore, it’s critical that we operate according to CIS Abroad and local protocol to protect the health and safety of all students. CIS Abroad is asking students to disclose their vaccine status voluntarily so that we can plan for a safe and fun learning experience abroad.

Can students request to room with a vaccinated student?

Yes. If a student is vaccinated, they can request to room with another vaccinated student.

Will I live alone or will there be shared housing?

On all of our European programs we have built single rooms into the program. In most cases these are single rooms within a shared apartment. On some of our Asia-Pacific programs we have double occupancy student accommodation.

If I am studying on my program and the government mandates that universities close, what will happen to me?

Each program that we have open will ensure that either you are housed until the university is able to reopen or that you are housed until you are able to return to the US. In either case academic continuity is guaranteed – you will be able to finish the semester either in person or online. See our Return to Travel Plan for our academic continuity information.

Will I be able to travel to other countries while I'm abroad?

We are asking students to travel directly from the U.S. to their host countries. Due to travel restrictions and health concerns, we may ask students to not travel outside of their host countries during the program. While exploring other countries is exciting, this will allow for plenty of time to become more familiar with your host city, and to learn how to truly live like a local!

Will I need to quarantine when I arrive?

It’s likely but unknown. As local government regulations change, we will keep all applicants informed. If quarantine is required upon entry, we will let you know 60 days before a program starts, or as soon as the information is known to CIS Abroad. Your Program Coordinator will keep you updated as to any changes in dates, arrival, local restrictions and costs. If it is required, this may entail an earlier departure date and an additional housing and meal cost.

I noticed that not all of your programs are open for Fall. Why not?

We have made the careful decision to only open a program that we believe will meet our Guidelines for Restarting International Programming: it must be possible for US citizens to travel abroad, and return safely; there must be confidence that the host country is managing the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that would enable students to successfully complete their program; and, the program design, delivery, and advising strategy must be reviewed and potentially altered to mitigate risk to students, faculty, the host community, and onsite staff.

What are your refund policies?

We have fundamentally changed our refund policies to be as flexible as possible. Read more: CIS Abroad Refund Policy.

When can I book my plane ticket?

If a quarantine upon entry is necessary, that may shift your program cost or start date. We’ll update you immediately if changes occur. Please do not book your airplane ticket until your Program Coordinator tells you to do so!

When will I get a pre-departure orientation?

A pre-departure orientation webinar about a month prior to your program will give you program specific information. We also offer webinars designed for parents and guardians.

What if I've applied to a program that gets cancelled?

CIS is in daily contact with our in-country partners to monitor the current situation. If we decide to cancel a program we will plan to notify students at least 60 days in advance AND we will refund all paid program fees. You will also have the option to apply your program fees to another program.

When is the deadline for making a decision to study abroad in Summer and Fall 2021?

Accepted applicants on all Summer and Fall 2021 programs have up to 31 days prior to their program start date to decide if they want to study abroad. Individual program dates vary so refer to the program page for specific details. See more about our refund policies here.

If I decide to withdraw from a program before it begins, will I receive a refund?

Yes! If you withdraw from your Summer or Fall 2021 program at least 31 days before the program start date you will receive a full refund less any non-refundable deposits or quarantine upon arrival costs. If you withdraw after that you can receive a partial refund between 80-0% depending upon your withdrawal date. Read more on our CIS Abroad Refund Policy. If you want to protect even more of your investment in your travel abroad, you can opt to purchase Trip Protection Insurance.

If I decide to withdraw from a program after it has begun, will I receive a refund?

Perhaps. Our refund policy states that once your program has started, if for any reason you withdraw or the program is suspended or cancelled, CIS Abroad will always recoup and refund you any recoverable* costs. Recoverable costs are noted on our refund page. If you want to protect your trip, you can opt to purchase Trip Protection Insurance.

If I have questions that are specific to my program location, to whom can these be directed?

Specific program location questions are addressed on the website page specific to your program and by your Program Enrollment Coordinator.

What if my university cancels all study abroad programs?

CIS Abroad recommends that you talk to your study abroad office directly about your situation. Some students were able to petition to study abroad through an affiliate education abroad program, like CIS Abroad, even though their universities had officially cancelled study abroad.

Can CIS Abroad help me with my university's petition and/or risk management approval process?

We know some institutions are still in the process of making decisions around future travel. CIS Abroad has developed Site Specific Risk Mitigation Plans for each location in which we are operating. Talk to your Program Coordinator about how they or you can share this information with your study abroad office, use information to complete approval paperwork, etc. We also have a risk rubric that offices have found helpful in understanding which locations to open. If your university requests additional information not covered in these documents, please reach out to us.

Will my classes be in person?

Yes! We anticipate that many of your courses will be in-person, but similar to course schedules at U.S. institutions, you should be prepared for the possibility of hybrid courses or other types of online learning. We will work with your host university to ensure that any in-person classes will be as safe as possible and any online courses will be engaging.

Why should I go abroad if some or all of my classes will be online?

We understand that the prospect of having online coursework while abroad can be unattractive, but even if some of your courses are online you will still be in a different country exploring a whole new world! Any type of coursework will be taken alongside other international students and/or local students, which will allow you to experience intercultural exchange whether or not your courses are in-person. You will still be able to explore your host city, eat wonderful food, make international friends, and have an unforgettable experience.

What if the program I’m attending goes remote during the semester?