October 14 Message to Spring & Calendar Year 2021 Study Abroad Students: Spring 2021 & CY 2021 Update

Dear Spring & Calendar Year  2021 Study Abroad Students,

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Education Abroad, International Travel Risk Management Committee, and University leaders have been evaluating international travel for Spring 2021 Education Abroad programs to determine which programs may still be viable for students. Due to pandemic-related issues that are unlikely to be resolved in the near term, University leaders have determined that Spring 2021 study abroad will be suspended until Summer 2021, with the exception of programs in South Korea, Ireland, and Denmark. For students enrolled in a calendar year 2021 program, international travel for Spring 2021 is suspended. This decision impacts undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who were planning to travel abroad for study and/or research during the Spring 2021 semester. As of today, the pandemic is still evolving and we will continue to monitor the situation for programs in the approved countries and notify you of any changes.

Students may request to defer their spring 2021 application to a later term. An appeal process is available for students who feel their particular situation warrants an exception. Students should fill out the appeal form as soon as possible by Friday, October 30, 2020, to ensure that we have enough time to review your appeal prior to the start date of your program. The appeal process will consider health and safety, travel restrictions, and the host institution situation.  Appeals will be reviewed after October 30 and students will be notified of the Committee’s decision as soon as possible. 

If you have paid a deposit for your program, the deposit will either be refunded to you or transferred to your new program if you defer to study abroad at a later date. We hope that this decision provides you some clarity for your planning for Spring 2021. Please let your Study Abroad Advisor know by October 30 if you would like to defer your study abroad to another semester.

As we navigate the new normal with COVID-19, we eagerly await the day when we are able to regularly send all students abroad again! If you have any questions, please email us at studyabroad@case.edu or contact your Study Abroad Advisor directly.

Angela Miller
Director of Education Abroad