Dear Study Abroad Students and Parents,

 

Lafayette College continues to monitor the latest information around the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), especially in locations where our students are studying or are likely to travel during their time abroad.

 

We are specifically reviewing advice from the following sources:

 

  • Department of State
  • CDC
  • WHO
  • On Call (our international travel assistance partner)
  • Consultation with the leadership of peer institutions and program providers
  • Advice from local host governments
  • OSAC

 

You may have seen new advice from the CDC specifically directed toward Institutions of Higher Education as regards study abroad https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/student-foreign-travel.html.  Before taking any action based on this guidance, we are seeking additional information from leadership in international education and other sources.

 

Programs in Italy were canceled last week by our program partners due in part to the Department of State raising its travel advisory level for Italy to a Level 3: Reconsider Travel, and the CDC raising their specific travel notice to Warning Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel. Those students have been offered a plan for successful completion of their academic credits through their individual programs.

 

Students concerned about the cancelation of their programs should reach out directly to their program leadership.

 

Meantime, we would like to remind students to closely follow and adhere to the advice they are receiving from their host institutions. In addition to information that you are receiving from your host programs, it is important to continue following normal preventative measures to avoid infections. If you have not already done so, please read Dr. Goldstein’s latest update to the campus community which included the following recommendations:

 

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

  • Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.

  • Clean surfaces, door knobs, keyboards with germicidal wipes.

  • Stay out of class/work when you are sick.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Additional recommendations specific to your status as an international traveler include:

  • Registering all travel with the Department of State (travel.state.gov) or your country of citizenship’s equivalent (U.S. citizens enrolled in Lafayette programs in Bonn and Madrid are already registered for their time in those cities, but should register any travel plans independent of the programs.)

  • Reporting any travel outside of your host city to your program.
  • When traveling independently, monitor travel conditions through sites such as the CDC and WHO.
  • If you do present with symptoms, you should let your program know immediately, so that they can assist with medical care. If this happens during independent travel, you should contact On Call to make arrangements.

 

All students on international programs are automatically enrolled and covered by On Call through Lafayette. You may also have additional local and/or international insurance coverage through your program.