2020-21 Updates: Visit meredith.edu/staying-strong for more details.
COVID-19 Study Abroad Updates
COVID-19 Updates Regarding Study Abroad in 2021
The Office of International Programs has been consistently monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The health and safety of our students and community members, including study abroad participants and faculty, are of paramount importance to Meredith College. We have continuously reviewed global travel advisories as well as local public health risks and regulations for your host countries. Because global conditions remained unstable and we could not mitigate the ongoing health and safety risks for our study abroad students, we made the difficult decision to cancel all fall 2020 and spring 2021 study abroad programs, including Meredith in Italy and Meredith Affiliate programs. As outlined below, we are currently evaluating the feasibilty of summer 2021 programs.
Summer 2021 Study Abroad
The Office of International Programs, in partnership with Meredith’s Health Center, will continue monitoring daily the following resources regarding coronavirus and international travel:
- CDC
- U.S. State Department
- Overseas Security Advisory Council
- World Health Organization
- American College Health Association
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators professional listserv and the Forum on Education Abroad (peer institution responses)
- Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) updates
- Email announcements and communications from affiliate study abroad providers
- Multiple news outlets
The following Summer 2021 Study Abroad programs have been cancelled:
- Education in Italy - Rescheduled for Summer 2023
- Costa Rica Language & Culture - Rescheduled for Summer 2022
Decisions about remaining Summer 2021 will be made no later than mid-March 2021. These decisions will be determined in partnership with the Meredith College Health Center and the Provost’s Office and will be based on our review of:
- CDC and U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Levels, in accordance with our Policy on Restricted Travel Areas
- Current health advisories and safety requirements in program locations
- Advice from local contacts and peer institutions in program locations
COVID-19 Cancellation Commitment
In the event that health and safety conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic should lead the College to cancel a study abroad program prior to departure, full refunds will be made for any charges billed by the Office of International Programs to your Meredith College student account, including your $100 Commitment Deposit (or $400 fee for Affiliate programs). The College will be unable to refund additional expenses that you have incurred, such as independent airfare, passport application fees, personal travel items, affiliate program fees, etc. Meredith College will announce COVID-19 cancellation decisions for summer 2021 programs no later than mid-March.
In the event that health and safety conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic should lead the College to cancel a study abroad program after departure, Meredith College will be able to refund only uncommitted and recoverable funds.
Students applying to Affiliate Programs are encouraged to review COVID-19 pre-and post-departure cancellation policies from study abroad providers.
