Education Abroad & COVID-19

In making decisions about the impact of COVID-19 on education abroad programs, UNL analyzes guidance from several resources including: governmental agencies (U.S. Department of State and Center for Disease Control), the World Health Organization, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), professional health and security organizations, assessments by partners abroad, U.S. Embassy country COVID-19 information, and more. Cancellations by travel dates or by program are generally prompted by considerations such as:

• CDC travel health notices and DOS travel advisory levels
• Guidance from local public health agencies
• Quality and reliability of the local health system
• Rate of current and forecasted COVID-19 community spread
• Timeline and intensity of increases in numbers of cases
• Availability and reliability of COVID-19 harm reduction protocols
• Impact on transportation networks, including availability of flights
• Entry and travel restrictions
• Status of U.S. passport services and visa requirements

• If your UNL program is cancelled prior to the program start date, you will not owe anything to UNL, and will receive a refund of any deposit paid.
• If your Affiliated or Unlisted program is cancelled prior to the program start date, it is up to the program provider to refund any deposits paid. Many study abroad program providers are offering flexibility with financial policies in light of COVID-19. However, since different programs have different policies, you should contact your program provider directly to inquire about their refund policies.

With most programs, you may defer or reapply to a future term. Some programs are offered once per year, whereas others are offered in multiple terms. We encourage you to meet with an Education Abroad Coordinator and your academic advisor to discuss options, especially if you plan to graduate soon.

• UNL Global Experiences will allow you to defer any scholarships administered through our office, for as long as you remain a degree-seeking student at UNL. (If your scholarship is for undergraduate students, you must still be a degree-seeking undergraduate to be eligible). For scholarships with dollar amounts determined by “year at UNL” and length of program, your award will be based on 1) your year at UNL when you originally planned to go abroad, and 2) the length of the program in which you actually participate. Early Abroad Scholarship recipients will have at least one full year to use their scholarship once international travel resumes (through Summer 2022).

• If you received a scholarship administered by another department/organization, please inquire about the possibility and terms of deferral. Many scholarship administrators are being flexible, but policies do vary.

• While you may not transfer a traditional education abroad scholarship to a virtual or U.S. program, the Global Experiences Office is offering new automatic scholarships to all undergraduate students in good standing who pursue a Global Experience, Global Remote Internship, or Affiliated Virtual International Program (VIP).
• If you were selected for a Gilman Scholarship, you may use your award to support a credit-bearing VIP between now and December 31, 2021. Please visit the Gilman website for the most up-to-date information about applying a Gilman Scholarship to a virtual program.

UNL understands that personal tolerance for risk may vary, and that final decisions may be made between a student and their family. However, if a student fully commits and then chooses to withdraw from a program that is not cancelled, the program’s stated withdrawal policy will apply. Financial penalties typically increase closer to the program start date. Please review or ask your program contact about financial penalties before officially withdrawing.

In response to COVID-19, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) significantly reduced passport operations in March 2020. DOS temporarily suspended expedited passport processing and restricted service to cases involving life-or-death emergencies. DOS has resumed passport processing in phases, but there was a significant backlog of pending applications. The UNL Passport Office suspended its operations and tentatively plans to resume operation in July 2021. Some US Postal Service locations are allowing customers to book passport appointments through an online scheduler.

• Your experience abroad could be different than you originally imagined, so adaptability will be key. Program dates and advertised activities may require alteration due COVID-19.
• Independent travel outside of the city and/or country you are studying abroad in may be limited.
• You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated, depending on program and/or host country policies.
• Your time abroad may include mandated testing and/or quarantine upon arrival in your host country, or in the event that you either develop symptoms or are exposed to COVID-19. You might also need to test and/or quarantine upon return home.
• Your program may implement a hybrid online/in-person format, and there may be sudden changes to the academic format of your program.
• You might consider purchasing additional travel insurance that covers potential disruptions, but it is important to read the fine print of these policies to see what exclusions might apply. Many policies do not include coverage for pandemics or global health threats.

• Academics: UNL is committed to supporting your academic success. UNL will work closely with our partners who provide education abroad programs with the goal of mitigating potential impacts on your academic progress. Note that in some instances, the option to continue coursework remotely might not be possible. Global Experiences will work with students whose programs are interrupted on a case-by-case basis to explore all possible solutions.
• Program Cost: UNL will only be able to refund recoverable costs paid directly to UNL. If your program is interrupted after its official start date, program cost adjustments (partial refunds) will vary significantly, based on a number of factors.
• Financial Aid: In order to minimize academic disruption and any negative impacts to your financial aid, you will be expected to continue your coursework through your program.

Global Experiences will contact program applicants/participants directly with updates, using email and the MyWorld application system as the primary means of communication. We will also periodically update this website. All members of the UNL community can find campus-wide updates and resources on the “COVID-19: Nebraska Responds” page.

Please contact the Global Experiences Office at educationabroad@unl.edu or 402-472-5358. You may also contact the Director of Global Safety and Security at globalsafety@unl.edu.