DePaul Study Abroad COVID-19 Updates

DePaul's Study Abroad office is carefully and constantly monitoring the news regarding COVID-19 and how it may affect all of our study abroad locations. Some of the sources we are using include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State, global risk management resources designed for study abroad professionals, news and media outlets, benchmarking with peer institutions, and conversations with local partner institutions and contacts in our program locations.

As situations arise, we are carefully considering each program on a case-by-case basis as we decide how to proceed. We take a variety of factors into consideration, with concern for student safety and well-being. All decisions regarding program cancellations are made by the Study Abroad office and/or DePaul's COVID-19 Planning and Response Task Force. 

While there continues to be uncertainty regarding the pandemic, we are moving forward with planning for a limited number of both term-long and short-term study abroad programs.  As the 2021-22 academic year progresses, we hope to continue making more of our programs available.  Please check the Study Abroad website for the most up-to-date listings of which programs are being offered.

As application deadlines approach, we will keep students informed about the status of available programs.  When a program is canceled, Study Abroad will notify students in a timely manner via email. Students will not be charged any tuition or fees and will be given the option to either switch to another study abroad program (pending health and safety concerns, space, and logistics, including visa processing), consider one of our virtual programs, or enroll in courses on campus.

If DePaul University makes the decision to cancel an upcoming program, students will be refunded 100% of their program fee. If students have been registered in any associated classes and the classes have not started, they will be withdrawn from the classes and refunded 100% of tuition. If any associated classes have already started, students will either complete an adapted version of the class on-campus or be withdrawn from the class and refunded 100% of the tuition, to be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

DePaul University is not responsible for any additional expenses related to study abroad programs which are outside the program fee (e.g. flights not included in the program fee, housing arrangements, visa/passport fees, etc.) and all costs that students may incur related to non-program fee expenses are their responsibility.

If a program is canceled while students are on-site, DePaul will make every effort to refund recoverable costs to students.

We understand that the decision to study abroad might be particularly difficult at this time. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has changed how all of us approach our everyday lives, with new health and safety measures and a heightened degree of uncertainty surrounding much of what used to be commonplace. Everyone has their own tolerance for uncertainty and risk, and we encourage students to discuss their plans with their support network as they arrive at their decision.

If a current student abroad decides to withdraw, DePaul will work with them to either complete an adapted version of class(es) on-campus or be withdrawn from the class(es) and refunded 100% of the tuition, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Under our modified Study Abroad Withdrawal Policy, there is no withdrawal fee for students who decide to withdraw more than 90 days prior to their program start date. Students who withdraw within 90 days of the program start date, especially students with unexpected medical situations, can submit a Withdrawal Fee Appeal Request. We will be as accommodating as we are able to, given the current global circumstances.

DePaul’s on-campus student COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirements include study abroad.  Students should upload their proof of vaccination and booster as they would if planning to attend classes on campus.

If a student has been granted a university COVID-19 vaccination exemption, this does NOT automatically apply to their study abroad program.  Some countries, partner organizations, or housing situations require vaccination.  Location-specific policies can change quickly and unexpectedly, and the safety of everyone involved in the study abroad program is an additional consideration.  Students with university exemptions should contact Study Abroad ASAP to start a conversation about how this may impact their plans and to see if any accommodations may be available to enable them to participate.

If a student gets sick or students need to be evacuated from a study abroad program location due to COVID-19 or any other reason, DePaul University relies on our international travel health and accident insurance partner and its 24/7 medical and security partner to provide assistance securing flights and/or other transportation home. All students do need to adhere to any local or governmental restrictions on travel to or from areas of mandatory quarantine.

In the event that a DePaul student’s travel is disrupted due to mandatory or recommended quarantine, absences from class will be excused and alternate arrangements will be made for completing assignments. If a student is required to remain in the study abroad destination after the program ends due to mandatory quarantine, DePaul will work with onsite contacts to help provide support while they wait to return home.

Under the CISI policy, any treatment for COVID-19 is covered as other illnesses, including testing, doctor visits, and hospitalizations. CISI will not cover testing that has not been recommended by a health professional (e.g. for peace of mind or to reduce the mandatory quarantine period). Visit CISI's COVID-19 FAQs to understand your coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses. CISI also provides remote telehealth services and an emergency mental health crisis intervention service.

Study Abroad is operating a virtual office and is available by Zoom, phone, or email. Advising appointments and Study Abroad 101 sessions are being held daily.  Effective Fall 2021, both Study Abroad offices in the Loop and Lincoln Park will be staffed in-person.

Students with questions about study abroad programs should contact their Study Abroad advisor. The virtual office page lists all the different types of programs available and the corresponding advisors. All advisors are available via e-mail and some have appointment scheduling via BlueStar. Phone and Zoom video advising sessions are also available—just contact a Study Abroad advisor to schedule a call.

General study abroad questions may also be directed to the DePaul Study Abroad office at abroad@depaul.edu or 312.362.6962. We will accept all documents, including Course Planners, host institution application materials, transcripts, etc. via email to abroad@depaul.edu.

All students and their emergency contacts will be contacted by Study Abroad if the status of their program changes or if there are any significant updates to share regarding their program and/or the COVID-19 outbreak. This FAQ page will also be updated with any new information related to COVID-19 and its impact on study abroad programs at DePaul.

Members of the media should contact DePaul Media Relations.