COVID 19
Is it possible to study abroad right now?
Yes! This semester, students are studying in Europe, Asia, South America, and Central America. Three short-term faculty-directed programs are approved to travel over spring break and many students have summer and fall education abroad plans. Because we are in the midst of a global pandemic, Education Abroad has established additional health measures for student safety. Please review the below information for details on vaccinations, petitions, and health and safety tips during COVID.
Do I need to get vaccinated?
1. Missouri State University Vaccination Requirements
Missouri State University does not require students, faculty, or staff to be vaccinated. However, the university strongly recommends that our community members are vaccinated. Magers Health and Wellness Center has vaccination appointments available. The Office of Education Abroad’s vaccine policy aligns with MSU’s policy. We strongly recommend that students and program directors are vaccinated because vaccines:
- Reduce the risk of serious illness and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, per guidance from the WHO and U.S. CDC.
- Reduce the risk of denied entry if a country requires vaccination for entry, and the risk of quarantine if required for unvaccinated travelers.
- Reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 or requiring quarantine, which could lead to serious program and travel disruptions as well as significant expense.
- Increase access to local events, services, and travel, which are becoming increasing restrictive for non-vaccinated individuals.
- Alongside other preventative measures that affiliate partners and program directors implement, significantly increase protection for all program participants and our global neighbors.
2. Host Country Vaccination Requirements
If a student wishes to travel without a vaccine, the student needs to confirm the requirements of the country(s) in which they desire to travel. Students should look at the Department of State website, the Center for Disease Control website, as well as the embassy website in their host country in order to determine the vaccination and travel requirements related to COVID-19.
3. U.S. government requirement for re-entry to the United States
Over the course of COVID, we have seen a common trend that students must present a negative COVID-19 test, taken no more than one day before departure in order to fly abroad (or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days). However, this is changing from time to time, so please see the link for the most updated U.S. government policy. If a student tests positive for COVID, they are responsible for the cost of quarantine and amended travel plans back to the States.
4. Program requirements
Students traveling with an affiliate or exchange provider must adhere to the rules of the provider. If a student wishes to travel without a COVID vaccination, the student needs to read and understand the policies of the program provider they intend to travel with. Included in this are the requirements for the host institution. Students can either find this information on their program provider website or reach out to the program and ask directly.
How can I be safe while traveling during COVID?
The Office of Education Abroad encourages all students to adhere to the CDC guidelines and recommendations for COVID-19 related questions. We also point students to their host country laws, as well as program provider rules.
On top of this, Missouri State University requires all students studying abroad be insured through GeoBlue Worldwide Insurance. This insurance plan is paid for through the Education Abroad fee that every student must pay to go abroad (students confirm that they know about this fee during the application process). Even if the student is insured by another policy, there are no exceptions, and the university will not waive the GeoBlue study abroad student insurance requirement. This insurance has a $0 deductible for in-network providers around the world, and also supports political, natural disaster, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation. More information relating to GeoBlue will be presented at the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation.
GeoBlue does an incredible job partnering with MSU students to provide services. If you would like a little bit of extra information about GeoBlue, specifically relating to their COVID policies, please see their “COVID-19: What to Know Before You Travel” flyer.
Do I have to do anything extra because of COVID?
The Missouri State University Office of Education Abroad is governed in part by the Missouri State University policy of travel to restricted areas. Missouri State defines restricted travel by a Department of State advisory level of three or four or a CDC (Centers for Disease Control) assigned warning of level three or four to that country. It is important for students to check the Department of State advisory level and CDC warning level for each Education Abroad experience. To do this, please see the steps below:
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- Department of State: Following the link, type in the country name in the left side bar. Across the top of the page, a bar will appear that lists the travel level for that specific country.
- Center for Disease Control: Following the link, select the desired country from the dropdown menu. Then, scroll to look for any level three or four travel notices (in an orange or red bar across the page).
If the host country is restricted based on the above information, you need to submit a petition to study abroad.
What if I have more questions?
Please see the “Health and Safety While Abroad” Page for any further questions about MSU’s policies. Elizabeth Strong, Director, Education Abroad, is also available for questions or conversations about education abroad health and safety protocol.