Guidance for 2021-2022 Education Abroad Programs
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Guidance for
2021-2022 Education Abroad Programs
Approach to EA Programming
The Office for Education Abroad (EA), the Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC), and the
Office for Global Health, Safety, and Security (Global Safety), formerly the Office of International Health
and Safety, have developed requirements and recommendations for 2021-2022 education abroad
programs.
The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, but the situation in many countries has improved. The widespread
availability of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. significantly reduces the medical risk of
COVID-19 to MSU international travelers. For these reasons, many of the requirements that were in
place last year have been lifted. However, all programs must be mindful that entry restrictions and
requirements, local social conditions, local medical infrastructures, as well as COVID-19 prevalence can
change quickly. Programs must demonstrate strong contingency planning so they can move forward
successfully. This guidance is intended to help program directors and coordinators build resilient
programs and to update associated review processes.
Summary
Approval conditions for faculty-directed EA programs
• All programs will be reviewed and approval decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. However,
Program Directors should be aware that programs to “red” risk level ratings, per the Brown/Harvard COVID-
19 Risk Levels map, are unlikely to be approved.
• COVID-19 vaccination is required for all students and all MSU program directors/assistants.
• Entry restrictions must allow students to enter the country by the program start date.
• Programs must abide by all local restrictions relating to transportation, gathering size, etc. See
section 5.
• All programs must have two on-site staff capable of responding to emergencies, offering health
and safety support, and implementing program logistics and the program’s academic continuity
plan if necessary. See section 4B.
• Program Directors must develop and submit a “Health and Safety Plan” as outlined in 7A.
• All MSU Program Directors and Assistants must participate in Critical Incident Management
training before program departure.
• All programs must follow the guidance outlined in this document.
Approval conditions for non-faculty-directed EA programs
• Program Directors / EA may request that proposed Programs to “red” risk level ratings, per the
Brown/Harvard COVID-19 Risk Levels map, be reviewed by RSAC but are unlikely to be
approved.
• COVID-19 vaccination is required for all students.
• Entry restrictions must allow students to enter the country by the program start date.
1• EA and Global Safety will work with local partners to ensure that non-faculty directed programs
(direct enroll, exchange, internship) meet MSU expectations for health and safety.
Guidance
1. COVID-19 Vaccination
A. MSU President Stanley has stated that “All students, faculty and staff are required to be
vaccinated against COVID-19 with an FDA-authorized or WHO-approved vaccine by Aug. 31 (at
least your first dose). Limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be provided.”
o All student participants and all MSU program directors/assistants must be fully
vaccinated before program departure for any Education Abroad program.
o MSU cannot require vaccination of local program staff (e.g., on-site providers, local TA
hired to assist the program).
o For students and faculty in the United States, fully vaccinated means two weeks out
from a final vaccine dose (14 days since second Pfizer or Moderna shot or 14 days since
single Johnson & Johnson shot).
o Students will need to comply with all local requirements (including any requirements
outlined by EA partners or host institutions) which may include presenting proof of
vaccination on entry.
o Strongly recommended that all students bring the original and a copy of their
vaccination records with them on their programs.
B. Students do not need to submit proof of vaccination to Education Abroad nor should
Education Abroad Program Directors request proof of vaccination.
o Non-MSU Program providers, local governments, or host institutions may request this
information separately.
o Students are strongly encouraged to travel with their original proof of vaccination as
well as a copy.
2. Risk Assessment
A. All programs will be reviewed and approval decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
However, Program Directors should be aware that programs to “red” risk level ratings, per the
Brown/Harvard COVID-19 Risk Levels map, are unlikely to be approved.
3. Student Participation
A. There is no maximum number of student participants, but please review guidance below.
o Consider limiting the number of students on a faculty-directed program if any of the
following is true:
▪ Program involves multi-country travel.
▪ Host country COVID-19 prevalence is high (e.g., orange or red risk levels) and/or
has been variable throughout the pandemic.
▪ Host country has gathering size restrictions that may impact programming on-
site (do not forget to include program staff, guest lecturers, etc. when
calculating the size of the program group). Also consider that new restrictions
2may be implemented just before or during the program, and be prepared to
adjust, for example, by splitting the full group into smaller sections for activities.
To support this contingency plan, ensure sufficient on-site staffing (see below).
4. Staffing
A. We recommend working with a vetted education abroad provider to ensure robust onsite
support.
o EA maintains a list of providers in case Program Directors want to explore this option.
B. All faculty-directed programs must have, at minimum, two qualified on-site staff (MSU or
external).
o On-site staff can be an MSU faculty member or staff member, plus a graduate student
or a qualified external staff member (e.g., local faculty member, staff member, or
graduate student, local provider, etc.).
o External staff serving as a co-leader must be able to respond to emergencies, offer
robust on-site support, implement program logistics, and enact the program’s academic
contingency plan which could involve taking over teaching responsibilities if the MSU
program director is unable. External staff must complete Critical Incident Management
Training. EA’s guidelines for accompanying family members still applies.
5. Travel, Transportation, and Excursions
A. Faculty-directed programs may travel to more than one country and to more than one
destination within a country.
o Programs with multiple destinations require strong contingency planning.
o Program Directors must be prepared for the possibility of unexpected border closures
due to a COVID-19 outbreak and must be prepared to adjust program plans accordingly
(including while the program is ongoing).
B. Program Directors must submit a detailed program itinerary to EA and Global Safety for
approval (for faculty-directed programs) as part of the required Health and Safety Plan (see
section 7A).
o Programs should avoid large events/gatherings. If this kind of activity is integral to the
program, please consult early with EA and Global Safety.
o Maximizing outdoor activities is strongly encouraged.
C. Students on all program types are permitted to travel independently outside of their host
countries, but please review the guidance below.
o All independent travel is done at the student’s own risk. If a student is unable to return
to their host country (for example, due to a border closure or COVID-19 positive
test/exposure), the student is responsible for all associated financial costs and academic
repercussions. MSU will be limited in its ability to help students in this situation.
o Students are responsible for understanding and complying with all local restrictions and
entry requirements. Students should understand that these can be complex and can
change quickly.
o Students should consider purchasing additional travel insurance independently.
D. Program Directors are responsible for monitoring and complying with all host country and US
entry/exit requirements.
3o A negative COVID-19 test is required to return to the U.S. regardless of vaccination
status. Many countries are also requiring a negative COVID-19 test or proof of
vaccination in order to enter the country or to avoid entry quarantines.
E. Classrooms and transportation must comply with all host country regulations/guidance for
physical distancing, capacity limits, etc.
o Program Directors are responsible for researching, understanding, and complying with
all local regulations/guidance. Working with local partners is strongly recommended.
o Since regulations can change quickly, programs are encouraged to build flexibility into
their program planning.
6. Housing and Classroom Space
A. All housing occupancy limits have been lifted, but faculty-directed programs must have plans
to facilitate quarantine if necessary (see the Health and Safety Plan described in section 7).
o We recommend selecting housing where COVID-19 contingency plans are in place. For
example, in-room dining, notification to local public health officials, strong cleaning
protocols etc.
B. Homestays are permitted, but health and safety plans must be submitted for review
and approval.
o If a program intends to use homestays, please inform EA and Global Safety as soon as
possible so that health and safety protocols can be reviewed (with program providers/
local partners as applicable).
C. Host a mandatory pre-departure meeting for students that includes a robust orientation to
health and safety.
o EA and Global Safety are developing materials to assist Program Directors with this. At a
minimum, topics must include:
▪ Prepare students to follow airline health and safety policies during travel. We
expect everyone to comply with airline policies, for example, currently, by
wearing a mask at all times during transit and in-flight except to eat and drink.
Visit the airline and airport websites directly for more information.
▪ Program Directors and students also need to be aware that everyone is subject
to local laws and health protocols regarding COVID-19. Everyone should be
mindful that other countries may have stricter public health guidance than the
U.S.
7. Contingency Planning and Critical Incident Management Training
A. Program Directors leading faculty-directed programs must develop and submit a Health and
Safety Plan, using the template provided, to their EA Program Coordinator within the program
document submission window.
B. Purchase extra masks to distribute to students on-site as needed.
o This cost must be built into the program budget.
o Students and Program Directors should research local mask requirements. Some airlines
and host countries have specific requirements. For example, cloth masks may not be
permitted.
o Masks are available for purchase at the MSU Store, the MSU Bookstore, and at major
retailers like Meijer.
4o Students will be required to bring their own masks (enough for the duration of the
program), but program directors should have a supply of masks on-hand to distribute as
needed. In addition to checking local requirements, here is some CDC guidance for how
to select an appropriate mask.
C. All Program Directors and on-site MSU staff participating in faculty-directed programs will be
required to participate in Critical Incident Management training this academic year.
D. EA and Global Safety will work with local partners to ensure that non-faculty directed
programs (direct enroll, exchange, internship) meet MSU expectations for health and safety.
E. Non-MSU programs will be permitted if the program is hosted by an EA-affiliated partner.
o Current affiliated partners are Arcadia (a limited number of programs is approved), CEA
(the full catalog of programs is approved), CIS Abroad (a limited number of programs is
approved).
o EA is proactively seeking to expand this list and vet providers to give students even more
Non-MSU program options.
Review and Approval Process
Review Timeline
Programs will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis with an established final approval deadline as
outlined in the table below. Global Safety will monitor COVID-19 and security conditions in countries
approved for programming, and programs are subject to re-review if conditions worsen.
For faculty-directed programs:
- To begin the review process, Program Directors will submit their Health and Safety Plan to the
relevant EA program coordinator any time during the submission window outlined below. The
EA program coordinator will review or send to Global Safety (see Approval Process below)
- EA and Global Safety will provide feedback and an approval decision within three weeks of
document submission.
o Programs requiring full RSAC review (see Approval Process below) will take longer.
- Program Directors should follow review timeline outlined in the table below unless their
program has earlier financial commitments. EA can establish a review and approval timeline
specific to the program.
- All programs are subject to re-review if entry restrictions or local COVID conditions change. In
some cases, programs may receive conditional approval subject to entry restrictions changing
and/or COVID prevalence decreasing.
For non-faculty-directed programs:
- EA and Global Safety will collect information directly from local partners.
- EA and Global Safety will adhere to the approval timeline described below (or sooner if
necessary due to housing deadlines, financial commitments etc.).
- All programs are subject to re-review if entry restrictions or local COVID conditions change. In
some cases, programs may receive conditional approval subject to entry restrictions changing
and/or COVID prevalence decreasing.
5EA PROGRAM REVIEW TIMELINE
PROGRAM DOCUMENT FINAL APPROVAL
SESSION SUBMISSION/COLLECTION DECISION TIMELINE DEADLINES
WINDOW
AY 2021-2022 Will be reviewed on a program-by-program basis.
Fall 2021
Winter Break 2021-2022 September 6, 2021 Approx. three weeks after December 3, 2021
through October 29, 2021 document submission (unless
RSAC review is required)
Spring 2022 September 6, 2021 Approx. three weeks after December 10, 2021
through November 19, document submission (unless
2021 RSAC review is required)
Spring Break 2022 September 6, 2021 Approx. three weeks after December 10, 2021
through November 19, document submission (unless
2021 RSAC review is required)
Summer 2022 internships October 11, 2021 through Approx. three weeks after January 7, 2022
December 17, 2021 document submission (unless
RSAC review is required)
Summer 2022 all other November 5, 2021 Approx. three weeks after February 4, 2022
programs through January 14, 2022 document submission (unless
RSAC review is required)
6Approval Process
*Countries with an orange risk level and a rising trajectory and/or strain on local medical infrastructure will require RSAC review
Risk level sources:
• Harvard/Brown COVID-19 Global Epidemics map: Green, Yellow, Orange, or Red
• MSU Country Risk Level List: Elevated (COVID-only), Elevated or Extreme security risk
For questions about the approval process, please contact Education Abroad or the Office for Global
Health, Safety and Security.
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