The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidance in response to the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) advising all higher education institutions to “consider postponing or cancelling” upcoming foreign exchange programmes and to consider asking current programme participants to return to their home country.
Higher education institutions should also consider asking students participating in study abroad programmes to return to the United States, the advice issued on 1 March says.
“Those overseeing student foreign exchange programmes should be aware that students may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges in returning home or accessing health care while abroad.”
The CDC said higher education institutions should work with state and local public health officials to determine the best approach for when and how their study abroad students might return – for instance, chartered transportation for countries or areas assessed as high-risk for exposure.
“All plans for returning study abroad students should be designed to protect participants from stigma and discrimination,” the guidance says.
“The COVID-19 situation is dynamic. Given the speed of spread and the number of countries experiencing human-to-human transmission, higher education institutions should evaluate the risks associated with choosing to maintain programmes abroad and take the appropriate proactive measures.
“Higher education institutions that continue to maintain programmes abroad should monitor cdc.gov/COVID-19 for additional information,” the guidance says.