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COVID-19 Updates

5/17/21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel requires careful consideration.  Vaccination is strongly encouraged before travel and anyone who chooses to travel, regardless of vaccination status, should self-monitor symptoms and follow masking and other safety protocols.  Prior to any international departure, students, scholars and employees are required to register their travel.

  • For personal international travel: Students, scholars, and university employees are required to document their international travel using this International Travel Registration Form. This registration is monitored by Global USA, but does not require University approvals. Employees are also required to provide this information to their supervisor.
  • For University-related travel: All university-related international travel by students and employees must be registered with the Office of International Education.  As always, approval is informed by Department of State and CDC travel guidance (see: international travel approval policy).
    • Students must apply and be accepted to an approved study abroad program.
    • Employees must complete the International Travel Review Form and have their travel approved by the appropriate department head, dean/administrator, Vice-President/Senior Vice President and President.

Have questions?  The Office of International Education is here to help!  Contact intledu@southalabama.edu.

3/10/21

The University of South Alabama and the Office of International Education continue to monitor federal and international travel advisories and restrictions, as well as guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of State. While vaccine distribution and other efforts are likely to yield positive outcomes in the coming months, decisions need to be made regarding upcoming study abroad programming to ensure safety and provide students, faculty and staff with timely guidance. Updates for summer 2021 are as follows:

  • All USA faculty-led summer 2021 study abroad programs to be suspended. Students will be given the option to defer their participation to a future semester or participate in a virtual study abroad opportunity.
  • Short-term affiliate and independent international programs to be evaluated 30 days or more from the program start date on a case by case basis by the Director of International Education and the Associate VP of Global Engagement. Cases warranting further review will be sent to the Reopening Committee for approval. Students may need to make decisions regarding their participation earlier than this date depending on payment schedules.
  • Decisions on fall 2021 semester programs to be made during the summer 2021 semester.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

11/20/20

The Office of International Education continues to monitor federal and international travel advisories and restrictions, as well as guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of State. The global threat posed by COVID-19 still remains high. The University and the Office of International Education have had to make some challenging decisions in regards to international programs to provide as safe an environment as possible for students, faculty and staff. Here are the latest updates:

  • All USA full-semester spring 2021 study abroad programs are suspended. Students will be given the option to defer their participation to a future semester or participate in a virtual study abroad opportunity.
  • The Office of International Education will evaluate the feasibility of short-term international experiences during the spring semester 30 days or more from the program start date.
  • Decisions on summer 2021 semester programs will be during the spring 2021 semester.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to a study abroad advisor. Remember to ask about virtual abroad opportunities, as well!

OIE Staff

7/6/20

The Office of International Education continues to monitor federal and international travel advisories and restrictions, as well as guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of State.  Although state and federal restrictions are being loosened, the global threat posed by COVID-19 still remains high. The University and the Office of International Education have had to make some challenging decisions in regards to international programs to provide as safe an environment as possible for students, faculty and staff. Here are the latest updates:

  • All USA full-semester fall 2020 study abroad programs are suspended. Students will be given the option to defer their participation to a future semester or participate in a virtual study abroad opportunity.
  • The Office of International Education will evaluate the feasibility of short-term international experiences during the fall 2020 semester 30 days from the program start date.
  • Decisions on spring 2021 semester programs will be made on November 16, 2020.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to a study abroad advisor. Remember to ask about virtual abroad opportunities, as well!

OIE Staff

3/12/20

The University of South Alabama is a globally engaged institution with faculty, staff, and students who frequently travel internationally as well as domestically. The health and safety of our university community is a top priority for the institution. Please check frequently the University homepage at https://www.southalabama.edu/coronavirus/ for updates.

In light of the current outbreak of COVID-19 and the fact that the World Health Organization has now declared it a global pandemic, we are taking all reasonable precautions to keep our community safe and informed. Based on the expanding global outbreak, the significant risk of exposure during travel, and guidance from experts in public health and infectious disease, the University of South Alabama is implementing interim travel guidelines and restrictions. With the exception of those trips currently underway, all upcoming university-sponsored international faculty, staff, and student travel is suspended effective immediately and until further notice. 

USA has made the challenging decision to cancel all upcoming study abroad programs and international student travel effective immediately and until further notice.  If you are a student currently participating on or applying to a study abroad program, please communicate with your study abroad advisor to answer any questions.  As always, the safety of our students is our top priority.

The University is closely monitoring the developing situation and will update travel guidelines as Center for Disease Control risk levels change.  We will update this page with any updates to current policies.

Thank you for your support of international education.

OIE Staff