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Global Alerts

LATEST UPDATE:

Inform: Earthquake in Japan

CIS Abroad became aware of a 5.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred at 4:16am on Thursday morning of May 11, 2023 in Chiba Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo and that was felt in both Tokyo and Yokohama. No significant damage or serious injuries have been reported. Due to the timing of the earthquake, many citizens of Tokyo and Yokohama, including CIS Abroad participants, were in bed during the event. CIS Abroad continues to monitor local weather and Japanese media for any further updates.

PREVIOUS UPDATES:

Update on COVID Vaccine policy, effective Summer 2023 term

December 2, 2022

For the Summer 2023 and beyond, CIS Abroad strongly recommends that participants receive the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters but will not require it. The WHO and US CDC agree that the vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. CIS Abroad strongly recommends all participants…

Explosion in Istanbul, Turkey

November 13, 2022

As of November 14, 2022, 10:41am EST Yesterday there was an explosion in central Istanbul, Turkey. This is not a location where CIS Abroad operates, but we have confirmed that none of our Europe program participants were in Turkey traveling at the time of the bombing.

Stampede in Seoul

October 29, 2022

CIS Abroad is aware of a massive Halloween stampede with many casualties that occurred this evening in the Itaewon area of Seoul. We have worked with our Site Director and confirmed that all CIS Abroad students onsite in Seoul are safe.

Incident in Milan

October 27, 2022

It is being reported that there was a mass stabbing in Milan. While it is not a location where CIS Abroad operates, we are monitoring the situation closely. It is reported that all victims are either Italian or Spanish, aged 28 to 81 years old. Therefore, we do not have reason to…

Update on January and Spring 2023 Programs

August 30, 2022

Dear CIS Abroad Community, We are excited to be sending CIS Abroad students to Australia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, and Thailand in 2023. We are thankful that COVID is decreasing in most of our international communities and that the new variants of the…

Update on Safety and Security in Europe

Dear CIS Abroad Community, Since our first update on February 24th, we have seen an escalation in the destruction of Ukrainian cities and a deterioration of the situation in that country. Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine whose loved ones have died, whose homes have been destroyed, and whose…

Update on Summer and Fall 2022 Programs

February 25, 2022

Dear CIS Community, We are excited to be sending CIS Abroad students to Australia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Thailand during Summer and Fall terms. We are thankful that the spread of the Omicron COVID variant is decreasing in most of our international communities…

CIS Abroad Update on Ukraine

February 24, 2022

Dear CIS Community, The following update is in response to the ongoing conflict and escalation to widespread airstrikes and shelling of cities in Ukraine by Russia this week. First, we must say that our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine affected, and we hope for a fast resolution. Second, we want…

CIS Return to Travel Plan February Update

February 24, 2022

Dear Colleagues, The Center for International Studies (CIS Abroad) continues to proactively prepare for the lifting of university, state, national and international travel restrictions. We currently have students abroad in ten countries and maintaining duty of care responsibilities to our students, families, and institutional partners is of utmost importance. And students continue…

Update on COVID Vaccines, Boosters, and Omicron Variant for January & Spring 2022 Students

January 5, 2022

Dear CIS Community, We are excited to be sending CIS Abroad students to Hawaii, Spain, Ireland, Costa Rica, England, Italy, Czech Republic, Thailand, and South Korea during January and Spring terms. Our January term students in Spain and Italy have all arrived safely and securely. The spread of the Omicron COVID variant…

CIS Abroad Update on COVID Vaccines, Boosters, and Omicron Variant

November 30, 2021

Below you will find an update regarding COVID vaccines, boosters, and how we are monitoring the Omicron variant. COVID Vaccines & Boosters COVID vaccines are required for participation in CIS Abroad’s programs in 2022. Here is a link to the CIS Abroad COVID Vaccine Policy. Additionally, we are highly recommending that all…

CIS Abroad's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

August 31, 2021

> Dear colleagues, students, and families, Beginning in January 2022, we will require that all CIS Abroad participants be vaccinated. The WHO and US CDC agree that the vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. 98% of our summer and fall 2021 students self-report…

Updates for Fall 2021 Programs - Level 4 Travel Advisory

August 11, 2021

Dear CIS Abroad Community, Over the past month we have seen COVID numbers in many parts of the world surge due to the spread of the Delta variant. Many countries where we operate have seen an increase in positive case numbers throughout the month of July and in early August. Because of…

COVID Updates for Fall 2021 Programs

Dear Partners, We’re writing to you today with some updates about COVID, program delivery, and travel advisories as we head into Fall 2021 Study Abroad Programs. Please read below for updates on: our UK programs, Thailand programs, and vaccination recommendations. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to shift and to change, and we…

CIS Abroad Position on COVID-19 Vaccinations

Dear Partners, Below you will find CIS Abroad's position on COVID-19 Vaccinations for staff and program participants. 100% of U.S. based CIS Abroad employees will be fully vaccinated by June 2021; CIS Abroad highly recommends vaccination for all international staff. CIS Abroad strongly recommends our program participants receive a COVID-19 vaccination before…

CIS Abroad Return to Travel Plan: February 2021 Update

February 4, 2021

Dear Colleagues, The Center for International Studies (CIS Abroad) continues to proactively prepare for the lifting of University, state, national and international travel restrictions. We currently have students abroad in seven countries and maintaining duty of care responsibilities to our students,families, and institutional partners is of utmost importance. And students continue to…

Guidelines for Restarting International Programming

December 1, 2020

> Dear Partners, We are proud to be a part of this amazing community of International Educators, committed to principles of diversity, action, learning, inclusion, engagement, and travel. We eagerly await the day when we are regularly sending students abroad again. We have been busy planning and preparing for what it will…

COVID-19 Statement from CIS Abroad President

Dear partners, parents, and friends of the international education community, We know the plans that students had for traveling abroad with us this year do not look like we expected. The world has changed in so many ways as have our lives. We are grateful for your confidence in us, and want…

CIS Abroad Global Update

On March 19, the State Department issued a new Global Level 4 Health Advisory. The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory "advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. "In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States…

U.S. State Department Global Level 4 Health Advisory

We are aware that the State Department issued a new Global Level 4 Health Advisory. The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory” advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.” “In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should…

Program Cancellation in Thailand

CIS Abroad has cancelled spring programs in Thailand. The situation around the world relating to the spread of Coronavirus, and the COVID-19 Disease, is rapidly changing. In recent days, many countries including New Zealand and Australia, have increased their global alerts, and have called all of their citizens home. Many major airlines…

Program Cancellation in Australia

The situation around the world relating to the spread of Coronavirus, and the COVID-19 Disease, is rapidly changing. Today, the Australian government has raised their travel level to Level 4 (the highest level), advising all Australians to not travel overseas. This will result in far fewer flights and options to depart Australia. Due to…

Program Cancellation in Argentina

The situation around the world, relating to the spread of Coronavirus, and the COVID-19 Disease is rapidly changing. We are in an unprecedented time, and it is with a heavy heart that we share we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the remainder of our spring study programs in Argentina, Ecuador and…

Program Cancellations in England, Scotland and Ireland

The below email was sent to all students and their emergency contacts who are enrolled in programs in the UK and Ireland for spring. Dear Students & Families The situation around the world, relating to the spread of Coronavirus, and the COVID-19 Disease is rapidly changing. The CDC raised its alert level…

Remote learning resources for students in canceled programs

We are actively working with all of our overseas partners on their remote learning opportunities, prioritizing the following countries: France, The Czech Republic, Spain and Greece, since we canceled their programs this week. Some of our overseas partners have announced that they are moving to an online learning platform temporarily. As we…

Program Cancellations in Czech Republic, France, Greece, and Spain

The situation around the world, relating to the spread of Coronavirus, and the COVID-19 Disease is rapidly changing. The CDC has raised its alert level to 3 “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” for our programs in Europe, excluding Ireland and the United Kingdom. We are in an unprecedented time and have made the very difficult…

U.S. travel restrictions from EU announced

As reported by the Department of Homeland Security, “Today President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation, which 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. These countries, known as the Schengen Area,…

Update on Coronavirus - Spain

Earlier this afternoon, CIS Abroad learned that Spain’s Health Minister confirmed that the region of Madrid would suspend all school and university activity for two weeks, beginning Wednesday, as the authorities raised the level of coronavirus transmission risk. We will be working with our students and site director throughout the day tomorrow…

Updated CDC Guidelines for Travelers Returning from Italy

The CDC has recently added to their level 3 Italy alert to include the following key point: Travelers should stay home and monitor their health during travel and for 14 days after returning to the United States. The CDC also advises that if you spent time in Italy during the past 14 days and…

CIS Abroad Coronavirus Update

On March 1, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a public statement encouraging U.S. institutions of higher education to “consider asking current program participants [in student foreign exchange programs] to return to their home country.” CIS Abroad participants are urged to contact their home university for any new instructions as a…

For Students on CIS Abroad’s Spring 2020 Programs (outside of Italy): Reasons why we ask that you do not travel to Italy this spring

Dear Students and Families, As you may know, we have suspended our programs in Italy for spring 2020 due to the US State Department and CDC alert levels. These are extraordinary circumstances, and we are currently unable to ensure a reasonable level of safety for any CIS Abroad student who travels through…

Suspension of Spring 2020 Programs in Italy

February 29, 2020

CIS Abroad has made the difficult decision to suspend all onsite operations in Italy for Spring 2020 programs. We are asking that all students make plans to return to the US no later than Sunday March 8, 2020, unless your university has mandated an earlier return date. This unprecedented decision is not one we…

Italy Spring Program Update

February 29, 2020

Our partner programs in Rome, Florence, Perugia, and Sorrento have not cancelled their programs. The Italian Government warnings remain unchanged as of this morning. We are recommending students return home, but not cancelling our programs as these travel advisories are to avoid non-essential travel and not to evacuate US citizens. We recognize…

Italy Spring Program Update

February 28, 2020

Italy was recently upgraded to level 3 by the CDC and US State Department. The Italian Government and our Italian University partners have not yet had an opportunity to respond and their current stance is that they are staying open and students are not unsafe to stay in Italy.

South Korea Spring Program Cancellation

February 26, 2020

CIS Abroad has made the difficult decision to cancel the Spring 2020 CIS Abroad Semester in South Korea Program. This decision was made after careful analysis of the situation in South Korea, and after consultation with our partners in the region. With the rapidly changing situation in South Korea, and the uncertainty…