COVID-19
The reality of study abroad is drastically changing due to COVID-19 and its global impact. Changes and provisions are constantly being made to ensure student safety.
Due to the current global outbreak of COVID-19, all university-sponsored international travel, including study abroad, is suspended.
The Office of Study Abroad will not be offering study abroad programs for the rest of the calendar year 2020. Spring 2021 semester-long programs may be approved on a case-by-case basis; however, we will continue assessing for health, safety, and travel conditions. If such conditions are not safe, the travel restriction could be extended.
For more, please visit the WTAMU Coronavirus page: https://www.wtamu.edu/about/information/covid-19/index.html
Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation
When study abroad resumes as normal, all students participating in an OSA approved study abroad program (faculty-led, reciprocal, provider program, or individual study) must attend a pre-departure orientation prior to their departure. The OSA will inform students of the date and time of these pre-departure orientations. If for any reason the student does not attend a pre-departure orientation, they will not be eligible to participate in the study abroad program.
Some of the topics in the pre-departure orientation include, but are not limited to:
General recommendations, documents, insurance, travel regulations, packing, money, flight, arrival and jet lag, culture shock, academic responsibility, phone calls, health and safety, in case of an emergency, and standards of conduct.
Insurance and Vaccinations
Find out if vaccinations are required for the country or countries you plan to visit. Also, read about health warnings for other countries, tips for traveling abroad, and our insurance policy with CISI (below).
All students studying abroad are required to have health and medical insurance for the duration of their time abroad. Most affiliated program providers will offer health insurance in their program fees; the OSA and Risk Management will review the coverage offered by the provider to determine if the policy meets our minimum standards of coverage.
All WTAMU students on faculty-led study abroad programs are required to have Health and Travel Insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). For information on coverage, please see the brochure at CISI or contact the OSA.
As a reminder, students are required to abide the WTAMU Student Code of Conduct while enrolled in the university; this includes your enrollment while abroad.
In case you are not sure where to find it, here's a quick access to the WTAMU Code of Student Life.