CIS Abroad Response to COVID-19. Updates here.

COVID-19 Updates

Let’s move forward together.

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's health and safety policies with respect to COVID-19?

CIS Abroad has developed a site-specific risk management plan for every location so that health and safety protocols are monitored, managed and communicated throughout the semester. We have developed a COVID Care Package included in our program fee to make traveling and living in a host country easier on students, especially those first few weeks on-site:

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 and campus facilities as well as access to masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies according to country and location specific standards.
Vaccine requirements for all participants to ensure COVID-safe program excursions and guaranteed housing with vaccinated students.
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).
Cultural activities and reflection that emphasize safe, local exploration geared to the specific context of being abroad at this special time.

*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.

We recognize not every student, family, or university will allow travel this year, despite the risk mitigation outlined above. Should students apply for 2021 programs, and then choose to defer to a future program, we would be happy to move that student’s application to a program with a later start date. We are also committed to providing our innovative virtual programs to meet your goals.

Is CIS Abroad requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students?

Yes, as of January 2022 all CIS Abroad participants are required to be fully vaccinated to participate in CIS Abroad programs. You can read the full policy here.

Why is CIS Abroad requiring vaccination?

The WHO and US CDC agree that the vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. This requirement is important for all of our program participants because it:

Reduces the health risk of:

Spreading COVID-19 and its variants to other parts of the world, including CIS staff, international partners and the communities where we have programs.
Contracting COVID-19 while abroad, which could lead to serious illness and death, missed classes and excursions, mandatory quarantine or isolation.

Reduces the financial risk of:

Being denied entry abroad if a country requires vaccination for entry.
Being denied acceptance to one of our international universities, housing, host families, or other local venues.

Reduces the academic risk of:

Missing important classes due to illness or due to changing regulations.
Missing out on amazing cultural experiences due to decreased access.

We’ve created this Why get vaccinated to study abroad? handout that outlines the reasons why being vaccinated is beneficial while abroad.

Can I get admitted to a host country if I cannot be vaccinated?

If you are unable to get vaccinated for any reason, please speak with a member of CIS Abroad staff about your unique situation.

What about medical and religious exemptions?

If you are unable to get vaccinated for any reason, please speak with a member of CIS abroad staff about your unique situation.

Will I have to show proof of being vaccinated while I am abroad?

When you are abroad you may need to show proof of vaccination in order to enter certain countries, establishments, to take public transportation, etc. In many locations we anticipate that students will need to show proof of vaccination as they engage in normal day-to-day activities.

Will CIS staff and international university partners be vaccinated?

100% of CIS Abroad’s North America-based staff are fully vaccinated, and we’re getting close to 100% vaccination for staff around the world. International universities will have their own requirements. Students will come into contact with unvaccinated individuals as they travel. This is one of the reasons we are requiring vaccination to participate in CIS Abroad’s programs.

Will I be housed with vaccinated students?

Yes, you will be housed with other vaccinated CIS Abroad students, or other vaccinated host university students.

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?

This will vary by program. 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 2022. 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 Abroad 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 Fall 2021?

Accepted applicants on all 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 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 US 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 US 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?