- Health & Safety Alerts
- Health & Safety Alerts
The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) is dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of all of our students abroad. This page is meant to update you as certain situations arise in a particular city or country where we currently have students participating in a CGIS program.
CGIS has a dedicated Health and Safety Advisor who is available to answer any questions and address any concerns that you may have. Contact Rachel Reuter, CGIS Risk Mitigation and Compliance Manager, at 734.764.4311 or by email at reuterra@umich.edu.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 — Ukraine
As you are undoubtedly aware, last week Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. CGIS does not currently have any students in Ukraine or Russia, but we are closely monitoring the situation nevertheless. At this time, the security impact on other European countries is limited and CGIS is not recommending any changes to your current programs or itineraries.
In the meantime, we encourage students to stay abreast of the situation and to follow the recommendations below:
Do not attempt to travel to Ukraine or Russia
Avoid non-essential travel to any countries bordering Ukraine (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, Lithuania, etc.)
If you do plan to travel outside of your host country, ensure you have registered your travel in UM’s Travel Registry and have alerted your on-site staff to your plans.
Register for the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Monitor your email for any updates from CGIS, your host institution and/or the U.S. Embassy / Consulate in your destination.
If you have questions or concerns and would like to discuss this situation further, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your CGIS advisor at any time.
Previous COVID-19 Updates
Monday, January 3rd, 2022 — CGIS Programs
We hope you had a safe and restful break. CGIS is writing to inform you that, at this time, no changes have been made to any of our Winter 2022 study abroad programs.
As we shared in our update before break, there is no specific “decision” date on which we will notify students whether their program is definitely going to run, or by which it would be cancelled. Setting a date is not possible under the current circumstances as there is an ongoing possibility that your study abroad program may be modified or canceled if the situation in your host country deteriorates because of the pandemic. As of today, all CGIS programs are running as scheduled. Unless you hear from our office directly, students can move forward with their program as planned.
The University of Michigan maintains a COVID risk assessment rating system for each country around the world. As of today, all countries where CGIS programs operate are categorized as “COVID-19 Medium Risk” locations. However, should the University decide to raise any country’s status to “High risk”, programs in that country would be canceled as University policy dictates that undergraduates cannot travel to countries with a High-Risk COVID rating. Risk ratings are determined by the University's International Travel Oversight Committee, not by CGIS.
We would like to reiterate that it is an extremely challenging and unique time in the world, with conditions changing on a near-daily basis. Unfortunately, an accurate prediction of what will happen in the coming weeks and months cannot be made.
It is critical to understand that there are inherent financial and academic risks associated with your choice to continue with your study abroad program. Each student has their own level of risk tolerance, so it's important that you and your family work through what would happen in a variety of different scenarios in order to make the best decision about how to move forward based on you and your family’s comfort with those risks. If you are not comfortable with these risks, or if this is not the right time for you to go abroad, then you should reach out to your advisor to discuss the withdrawal process and review your commitments to our partners.
NEXT STEPS:
- Decide whether you will continue with your participation in your CGIS program
- If you choose to go abroad, enroll in your appropriate STDABRD course for 15 credits by TOMORROW January 4th, at 11:59PM. While the official deadline to change your registration is 11:59pm, we STRONGLY encourage you to complete this action by 5pm because both the CGIS office, as well as the Office of the Registrar, will be closed after this time. Thus, if students have questions or difficulties in changing their registration to STDABRD, there will not be anyone available to assist after 5pm.
Please note that if you are registered for anything other than your STDABRD registration, you will be billed accordingly.
- Get a booster shot (if eligible). More countries are adding this requirement each week
Please note that CGIS will be responding to inquiries 8-5 pm (M-F) via email, phone, or virtual appointments. If you are unsure of who to contact, you are welcome to email cgis@umich.edu and a member of the CGIS team will get back to you as soon as possible. We have been monitoring and responding to this email address throughout the break and will continue to do so in order to assist with questions related to the registration deadline. We understand that this is a stressful time for many of you, and we are here to answer questions to help you make as informed of a decision as possible.
Monday, December 13th, 2021 — Omicron Variant Update
As mentioned in our previous update, the Omicron COVID-19 variant is prompting many governments to modify their COVID-19 regulations including entry requirements, local policies regarding access to public spaces, and other new measures to reduce the spread of the virus. Public health and infectious disease researchers are still working to determine what effect the new variant will have on the overall pandemic.
As a reminder, although the situation is currently stable and no changes have been made to CGIS Winter 2022 programs up until now, there is still the possibility that your study abroad program will be modified or canceled in the coming weeks if the public health situation in your host country deteriorates.In the meantime, please see below for some reminders for students planning to study abroad next semester as you finish up classes here on campus and depart for winter break. There is a lot of information contained in this email, so please read carefully.
1. Prepare a backup plan in the event your program is canceled. This may include:Registering for winter term classes on campus (you may remain registered for on-campus classes until Jan 4, 2022) Please see previous emails from your CGIS advisor for more information on the registration process, including how to withdraw from on-campus classes without jeopardizing your enrollment status. Exploring potential housing options in case you end up on campus next semesterEvaluating your own level of risk tolerance and discussing with your family whether or not you feel comfortable moving forward with your study abroad program, which could involve 1) financial risk, as well as 2) the possibility of not being enrolled next semester if your program is canceled and the Add/Drop deadline on campus has passed.
2. Get a COVID-19 booster shotThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend traveling internationally until you are fully vaccinated. Getting the booster shot can also help protect you against new variants, including Omicron. You can receive the shot on campus at walk-in appointments on Dec. 13 and can make an appointment at the University Health Service, Michigan Medicine as well as at local pharmacies.Other resources for finding a vaccination site are listed on the UHS Vaccination for COVID-19 website.
3. Understand that travel outside of your host country will likely not be possible during your study abroad experience. Even before the Omicrom variant was discovered, COVID-19 entry restrictions and regulations made it very difficult to travel from country to country on a short-term basis. Many nations require travelers to quarantine upon arrival for several days, or to self-isolate at home. Some even have gone as far as banning all non-citizens from entering the country.With the arrival of the Omicrom variant, these entry restrictions are being implemented even more unpredictably and abruptly, often with warnings of less than 12 hours until they go into effect. If students were to be traveling outside their host country when the entry requirements changed, they could be prohibited from re-entering to finish their studies, or required to quarantine for days or weeks in a government facility upon their return, possibly at their own expense. In addition to the financial risk, this could jeopardize your ability to complete your study abroad program (and at that point you would in all probability still be liable for the cost).Please reconsider plans to travel outside of your host country, even if just for the weekend. CGIS strongly recommends against it.
4. Determine your own level of risk toleranceIf CGIS has not made any changes to your program, you will need to make a decision about how you want to proceed by January 4th.
If you plan to continue with your study abroad program, please drop any on-campus courses you have registered for, and enroll in your STDABRD courses byJanuary 4; this is the last date you can do this. Also, please understand that there is still the possibility of cancellation after this date if the public health situation in your host country deteriorates. By choosing to continue with your study abroad plans you are accepting the risks associated with a last-minute cancellation.
If you plan to withdraw from the program, please email your CGIS advisor by January 4th to let them know that you will not be studying abroad next semester.We will continue to monitor this situation very closely over the next few weeks. If you do not hear from CGIS directly about changes to your specific program, then your program is continuing as planned.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the CGIS Health & Safety advisor at reuterra@umich.edu or your CGIS advisor.
Tuesday, December 1st, 2021 — Omicron Variant Update
CGIS is aware of and closely monitoring the new variant of the coronavirus, called Omicron, that has recently been identified, and labeled as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
At this time, very little is known about this new variant. For this reason, infectious disease experts have advised travelers to take a “wait and see” approach for the next two weeks as the situation evolves. During this time, CGIS will remain in contact with our program partners, on-site staff, public health experts, and University officials as we collect information and determine next steps.
Please see below for updates that were sent to all accepted (and currently abroad) CGIS students on November 30, 2021.
We strongly recommend that all students also read carefully through our COVID FAQ for more information.
For students who have applied to study abroad Winter 2022
As you undoubtedly know, a new variant of the coronavirus, called Omicron, has recently been identified, and it has been labeled as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO). CGIS is closely monitoring the situation, paying particular attention to the entry requirements, local regulations, and other new measures being implemented around the world to further prevent the spread of this variant, including:
Full travel bans of all foreigners
Extensive quarantines upon arrival for those who have traveled to specific countries in Africa within the last 14 days
New testing requirements upon entry and/or quarantines for all travelers (regardless of vaccination status or travel history)
Closure of all borders to foreigners (regardless of vaccination status or travel history)
Implementing new COVID-19 local regulations such as mandatory indoor mask wearing, proof of vaccination to be in public spaces, and/or capacity limitations
At this time, very little is known about this new variant. For this reason, infectious disease experts have advised travelers to take a “wait and see” approach for the next two weeks as the situation evolves. During this time, CGIS will remain in contact with our program partners, on-site staff, public health experts, and University officials as we collect information and determine next steps. At this time, we are moving forward cautiously with our winter 2022 study abroad programs as we wait for guidance from public health experts.
We will inform students if and how their program may be impacted by the Omicron variant. Please keep in mind that while no changes are being made today, there is still the possibility that your study abroad program will be modified or canceled in the coming month if the public health situation in your host country deteriorates.
In the meantime, we recommend that students move forward with their planning for winter 2022, but have a backup plan in the event that things change. This backup plan may include registering for courses here on campus, exploring housing options on campus if needed, and refraining from making any further non-refundable financial commitments until more is known about the new variant.
Please note that students who intend to move forward with their winter 2022 study abroad program will need to be registered for 15 credits using their program-specific STDABRD number, and drop all on-campus courses, by January 4th. We have worked with the registrar’s office to push this deadline as far back as possible, but please note that if you have not registered correctly for your program’s STDABRD credit by January 4th, we will have to withdraw you from your study abroad programs on January 5th so that tuition can be billed correctly.
Finally, we ask that you watch your email closely for updates from our office, monitor the State Department and CDC COVID-19 pages for your host country, and share this information with your family and friends. We understand how stressful and frustrating this news is, and we encourage you to reach out to your study abroad advisor and/or your UM academic advisor if you need additional assistance or guidance. Please note that our office will be closed during winter break, so if you would like to connect with an advisor to weigh your different options so you are prepared to make a final decision before January 4th, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us before the end of the fall semester.
For students currently studying abroad (Fall 2021 / AY 2021-2022)
As you undoubtedly know, a new variant of the coronavirus, called Omicron, has recently been identified, and it has been labeled as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO). CGIS is closely monitoring the situation and the associated entry requirements and local regulations being implemented by countries around the world. We anticipate that nations will continue to respond to the new variant in different ways, and because new guidelines can be issued and implemented with little to no notice, we strongly recommend the following:
Do not travel outside of your host country during the remainder of the program
Plan to return to the US immediately after your program ends
Follow any and all COVID-19 related guidance from your host country’s public health officials
Remain cautious and stay vigilant in protecting yourself against COVID-19
It is important to remember that students will be responsible for any and all costs associated with testing positive for COVID-19, including testing, quarantining, and travel delays. Additionally, if you were to end up stuck outside of your host country during the program, there is no guarantee that you would be able to make up any academic work that you may miss, which could have a negative impact on your academic success.
You all have been navigating this pandemic for the last several months in your host countries, and meeting new challenges each and every day which we know has not been easy. If you would like to connect with your CGIS advisor, we are happy to set up a time where we can talk via phone, zoom, etc.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to your CGIS Program Advisor or me with any questions/concerns and we wish you a safe and healthy rest of your semester!
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 — Response to the Coronavirus
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
On August 30, 2021, the European Council recommended reinstating travel restrictions on US visitors to the EU due to rising COVID-19 cases and the highly contagious Delta variant. At this point in time, details about how individual EU countries will implement this recommendation are scarce and information is limited, as each country may make its own decisions. There have also been some reports indicating that vaccinated travelers will be exempt from these new restrictions, but information is still developing and not yet final at this time.
CGIS wants to ensure our students that we are closely monitoring this situation, and that we will keep you apprised of how it may impact our programming.
Fall students currently abroad
As always, it’s important to keep in mind that travel restrictions can change rapidly with little to no notice. If you plan to do personal travel in the EU this fall, it is extremely important that you research entry and exit restrictions for your planned destination beginning well in advance of your trip and checking repeatedly right up to your departure.
Winter 2022 applicants
We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for more information on how individual countries will implement these new recommendations. At this time, we have not made any new program cancellations as a result of this announcement. All CGIS programs that are open and accepting applications for Winter 2022 can be found on mcompass.umich.edu. As soon as more information is available, we will update this page and send emails to any affected students.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please reach out to your CGIS advisor or the CGIS Health and Safety Advisor, Rachel Reuter at reuterra@umich.edu
Friday, August 13, 2021 — Update on Winter and Sp/Su 2022
Winter 2022 Semester
Due to the ongoing public health situation around the world, we have made the decision to cancel the following programs for the Winter 2022 semester. A number of factors were considered when making this decision, including the current risk of COVID-19 in the host country, whether or not the country is currently allowing US citizens to enter, and the vaccination rate amongst the local population. We are hopeful that the remainder of our winter programs will run as planned.
All Winter programs in the following countries have been cancelled:
Australia
Bhutan
China
Costa Rica
Ghana
Japan
Morocco
New Zealand
Panama
Peru
Senegal
Taiwan
Thailand
If you have an open application for a program in one of the countries listed above, you will receive an email from your CGIS advisor with more information and next steps.
Spring / Summer 2022
The Global Intercultural Experience program for Undergraduates (GIEU) has been suspended for 2022. Due to the factors listed above as well as significant concern about entering communities with vulnerable populations in the midst of a pandemic, CGIS does not feel that we can safely or ethically offer the GIEU program at this time.
With the exception of GIEU, the majority of our spring / summer programs are planning to run as scheduled. Applications for these programs will open on October 1, 2021 and a final decision regarding feasibility for each program will be made late in the fall term. If you have questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact a CGIS advisor or the H&S team at cgis-healthsafety@umich.edu.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 — Update on Fall/AY and Winter
As of July 20, 2021, CGIS is planning to run five programs for the fall 2021 and 2021-2022 academic year terms. We are looking forward to a slow, but cautious return to international travel at U-M.
Applications for Winter 2022 are open and accepting applications. Students who are interested in studying abroad in the winter term can browse available programs on MCompass and start an application. While we are cautiously optimistic about the winter term, it should be noted that there is still a strong possibility that some programs will be cancelled by U-M / CGIS due to public health concerns and or host country entry restrictions. Students with open applications will be contacted directly as updates are available and information will also be posted on each program's brochure page.
Effective July 1, 2021, all Students traveling internationally on a U-M managed program (this includes all CGIS programs) are required to have an authorized COVID-19 vaccination and complete the “Student COVID-19 Vaccination Self-Report Form” in Wolverine Access before traveling abroad unless they have an approved exemption. For more information, please visit Global Michigan.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are extreme delays in application processing times to obtain or renew US passports. As a result, CGIS recommends that students who need a US passport (either new or renewed) apply immediately and to request that the process be expedited. At this time, the US Passport Agency is estimating expedited passport processing is to take at least 12 weeks (3 months) and up to 18 weeks. Since many also need a student visa to travel, it is important to get a passport as early as possible to be able to apply for a student visa when necessary.
For Winter 2022 applicants who already possess a passport, make sure to check the expiration date and ensure the passport is valid at least six months after the end of the Winter study abroad program (i.e. if a program ends on May 30, 2022 -- students’ passports must be valid until at least December 2022). Potential Spring/Summer 2022 applicants should also check if their passports will be valid for six months past the length of their desired program(s). Many countries require this to enter the country.
For non-US-passport holders (including green card holders): These students should check if their passport is expired/expiring soon and refer to their local consulate if a new one is necessary for travel, as they may be experiencing similar delays.
Beyond these reminders, unfortunately CGIS cannot provide official passport and visa recommendations. Instead, we recommend students connect with their local consulate or passport agency with any passport/visa questions.
Tuesday February 2, 2021 -- Spring/Summer Update
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
While at this point we are moving forward with processing applications, students should understand that there is still a significant possibility that U-M / CGIS will have to cancel the program for the Spring / Summer term due to public health concerns. This decision will be made in the coming months and the specific decision date will vary based on the program. Students who submitted applications for Sp/Su study abroad programs have received an email from their CGIS advisor with detailed information and next steps.
We strongly recommend that students DO NOT make any non-refundable financial commitments prior to that date including purchasing flights or paying any program related costs (fees, tuition, etc.). Program refunds are determined entirely by the study abroad provider for each specific program, and CGIS will not be able to intervene on student’s behalf.
We will continue to send updates as we receive any new information. All 2021 applicants should keep an eye out for emails from CGIS. In the meantime, you are always welcome to reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns.
This page will be updated, and an email will be sent to all students with open applications as more information becomes available.
Friday, January 15, 2021 — CGIS Programs Update
Spring / Summer Programs
We remain hopeful many of our spring/summer programs will move forward as planned; those opportunities are currently open and accepting applications on MCompass. A decision regarding the feasibility of these programs will be made by the end of February.
It is essential that all Spring/Summer 2021 applicants develop an on-campus contingency plan in case you are unable to study abroad for the Spring/Summer 2021 term.
Fall / Academic Year Programs
To allow for more time to evaluate the rapidly changing situation, CGIS has made the decision to move back the Fall/Academic Year CGIS acceptance timeline for many programs to March 15, 2021, however, some deadlines are still as early as February 1st, so please check individual program brochure pages to confirm the application date for the specific programs in which you are interested. Please note partners might have later application deadlines on their websites but CGIS needs time to review student materials and forward any necessary materials to our partners so please be sure to submit everything in Mcompass by the CGIS deadline.
Fall/Academic Year students should register for classes at U-M as usual in the case that their program is cancelled.
General Info on CGIS Programs
Whether a program runs is contingent on two major factors:
The removal of the host country from U-M’s Restricted Destinations list.
Each program must receive approval from the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC). CGIS will petition for approval on behalf of the program and ITOC will make the final decision.
We advise all students to wait to make any travel plans or incur any significant financial commitments at this time.
We will continue to send updates as we receive any new information. All 2021 applicants should keep an eye out for emails from CGIS. In the meantime, you are always welcome to reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns.
This page will be updated, and an email will be sent to all students with open applications as more information becomes available.
Monday, November 16, 2020 — CGIS Programs Update
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
CGIS has made the difficult decision to cancel a portion of our programs for SpSu 2021. These programs are all led by U-M faculty and include:
- Advanced Spanish in Alicante
- Advanced Spanish in Santiago de Compostela
- Arts in Paris
- Black Paris
- French 230 in Grenoble
- Intermediate French in Grenoble
- French 232 in Aix and Nantes
- Italian 230 in Siena
- Race, Culture, and Community in London
- Roots, Culture, and Rhythms in Havana
- Spanish 230 in Buenos AIres, Granada, and San Jose
- Spanish 232 in Alicante
Due to the logistics of faculty-led study abroad programs, these opportunities require UM to make financial commitments earlier than is the case for other types of CGIS programs. Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot confidently enter into these binding contracts given the current global public health situation.
Additional Information is available below:
We remain hopeful that the remainder of our spring/summer programs will move forward as planned; those opportunities are currently open and accepting applications on MCompass. A decision regarding the feasibility of these programs will be made during the winter semester. As soon as a decision date has been determined, we will update this page with more information.
It is essential that all Spring/Summer 2021 applicants develop a contingency plan in case you are unable to study abroad for the Spring/Summer 2021 term.
We advise students to wait to make any travel plans or significant financial commitments at this time.
We will continue to send updates as we receive any new information. All 2021 applicants should keep an eye out for emails from CGIS. In the meantime, you are always welcome to reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns.
This page will be updated, and an email will be sent to all students with open applications as more information becomes available.
Monday, September 28, 2020 — CGIS Programs Update
WINTER 2021
- CGIS has made the difficult decision to cancel our study abroad programs for the Winter 2021 semester. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough evidence to suggest that the public health situation around the world, including here in the US, will have stabilized enough for us to confidently offer our winter programs.
- We are making this decision now, with the support of LSA leadership and in concert with other UM schools and colleges, in order to give students sufficient time to make alternative plans for the winter term.
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Applications for the Spring/Summer programs will open on October 1st. While we are hopeful that these programs will run as planned, this will depend greatly on how the COVID-19 situation evolves over the next several months.
A decision will be made regarding the feasibility of spring/summer programs at some point during the winter semester. As soon as a solidified date has been determined, we will update this page with more information.
It is essential that Spring/Summer 2021 applicants develop a contingency plan in case you are unable to study abroad for the Spring/Summer 2021 term.
We advise students to wait to make any travel plans or significant financial commitments at this time.
We will continue to send updates as we receive any new information. All 2021 applicants should keep an eye out for emails from CGIS. In the meantime, you are always welcome to reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns.
- This page will be updated, and an email will be sent to all students with open applications as more information becomes available.
Monday, August 24, 2020 — COVID-19 & CGIS Programs
- While Winter 2021 applications are currently open, there is a strong possibility that some or all CGIS programs will be cancelled in the coming months due to Covid-19. We continue to monitor the situation in all of our program locations to assess the feasibility for our programs to run within the necessary parameters of health, safety, student support and academic quality that we require.
- CGIS and UM/LSA leadership have determined that we will decide by October 1, 2020, whether or not to cancel all CGIS programs for the winter term. Note that even if programs are allowed to run at that point, they may be cancelled at a later date if the situation worsens.
- It is essential that winter 2021 applicants develop a contingency plan in case you are unable to study abroad for the Winter 2021 term.
- We advise students to wait to make any travel plans or significant financial commitments at this time.
- We will continue to send updates was we receive any new information. All 2021 applicants should keep an eye out for emails from CGIS. In the meantime, you are always welcome to reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns.
- At this time, we anticipate that programs for spring and summer 2021 programs will run as planned. This is, however, subject to change due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. Please pay close attention to communications from CGIS and to University-wide emails regarding international travel. More information will be shared to impacted students as it becomes available.
This page will be updated and an email will be sent to all students with open applications as more information becomes available.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 — COVID-19 & CGIS Programs
As of Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the University of Michigan has decided to suspend all education abroad programs due to the escalation of COVID-19 cases around the world. In compliance with this decision, CGIS is canceling all Winter & Spring 2020, and is in the process of contacting the students with more information regarding next steps regarding returning to the U.S., distance learning options, and more.
CGIS will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation as it develops and determine the best course of action for Summer 2020 programs. Students are still encouraged to visit the CGIS COVID-19 FAQ page as well as the University's FAQ pagefor more information.
U-M President Mark S. Schlissel, M.D., Ph.D. wrote the following statement:
"All U-M education abroad programs will be altered or suspended. COVID-19 is becoming frequent in many places, and we want to be sure our students can get medical care that meets their needs, as more countries’ health care systems are facing greater pressure. Students in each education abroad program will have unique needs and considerations as we make plans to bring them home. We are working through those, including safety, location, ability to travel, and disruption to academic progress. We will work with the students to assist them with arrangements and academic accommodations, including credit for their coursework.
We are also canceling U-M education abroad programs scheduled for the spring semester, and will decide about programs that start July 1 or thereafter in the coming weeks when we have better information."
Visit the University of Michigan Announcements page to read more of President Schlissel's statement and for more updates.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 — COVID-19 and Programs in Spain
In light of the recent escalation in COVID-19 cases in Spain, and the subsequent closing of public schools in Madrid, the University of Michigan is recalling students in UM-managed programs (including CGIS programs in Barcelona, Granada and Madrid) back to the United States, effective immediately. We did not make this decision lightly; we realize that this may be extremely disappointing, but we are committed first and foremost to the health and safety of our students. We have contacted the students with more information regarding next steps including distance learning options in order to ensure educational continuity.
CGIS will provide an update regarding Spring / Summer programs by the end of the week.
In the meantime, please visit the CGIS COVID-19 FAQ (LINK) page as well as the University's FAQ page for more information.
Monday, March 2, 2020— Updated response to COVID-19
Due to the recent spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Italy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a "Level 3" advisory, recommending that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Italy. As a result, the University of Michigan has designated Italy as a Travel Restriction destination, meaning that undergraduate students may not proceed with U-M related travel to or in Italy.
The Center for Global & Intercultural Study (CGIS) has cancelled all programs taking place in Italy and contacted the students with more information. CGIS and U-M will continue to work with the on-site staff in Italy to identify potential options in order for students to earn credit for this term. It may take some time for our partners to coordinate this effort but we will provide an update as soon as we have more concrete details.
At this time, it is not known if CGIS spring/summer programs in Italy will be affected by the travel restrictions. Please follow the page above for updates as they occur.
Friday, February 28, 2020 — COVID-19 and Programs in Italy
CGIS has sent out an email of recommendations to students who are currently studying abroad. To read the message along with a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), please click the button below.
Students who have been accepted into any Spring/Summer program will be updated on their programs as more information becomes available.
CGIS is continuing to monitor other countries that are being affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This is a very rapidly evolving situation and CGIS staff will communicate any and all updates directly to students as they become available.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020— Updated response to COVID-19
CGIS and the University of Michigan continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in east Asia and western Europe. At this time, all winter 2020 programs continue to operate as normal with the exception of those in China and South Korea. This is a very rapidly evolving situation, however, and CGIS staff will communicate any and all updates directly to students as they become available. Parents and other concerned parties who would like to receive this information should ask their students to share the updates with them.
For students whose studies overseas are interrupted, CGIS and academic advisors at U-M will work with students on a case by case basis to determine if options might be available to complete their coursework or earn academic credit for the winter term.
Students on CGIS programs worldwide are advised to continue to closely monitor the latest developments, and to adhere to any national and international public health directives issued by their host country or institution.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 — Updated Response to the Coronavirus
Due to the recent spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Korea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a "Level 3" advisory, recommending that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to South Korea. The University of Michigan in response has designated South Korea as a Travel Restriction destination, meaning that undergraduate students may not proceed with U-M related travel to or in South Korea.
As a result, the Center for Global & Intercultural Study (CGIS) has canceled all programs that will be taking place during the spring and summer terms in South Korea:
- CGIS: Global Course Connections (GCC) in Seoul, South Korea (Korean Campus Life)
- CGIS: Summer at Yonsei - Seoul, South Korea
CGIS continues to monitor the situation in northern Italy, where the CDC has issued a "Level 2" travel warning due to sustained community spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). While CGIS programs in Italy have not been canceled at this point, the situation is still developing and CGIS will update students as necessary.
The CGIS spring/summer programs in Italy are:
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 — Response to the Coronavirus
Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus in mainland China, the University of Michigan has designated China as a Travel Restriction country as of January 27, 2020, which prohibits undergraduate travel to the country. For more information, please visit the University's Public Affairs website. At this time it is not known if UM spring/summer programs in China will be affected by the travel restriction. Please follow the page above for updates as they occur. |
Alert Archive
Thursday, May 10, 2018 — GCC Israel & Palestine
Early on the morning of May 10 (local time), approximately 20 rockets were launched by Iranian forces stationed in Syria into the Golan Heights. Israel returned fire by launching air strikes against the Iranian military infrastructure in Syria. At this time, no injuries have been reported in the Golan Heights, but several have been confirmed near Damascus.
CGIS has maintained constant contact with the GCC Israel/Palestine group throughout the last 24 hours, and will continue to do so. Everyone on the CGIS program is accounted for, and is in good health. The group will leave their home base of Sakhnin on Friday morning for a weekend trip to Haifa, and during that time CGIS and the University of Michigan will continue to monitor the situation.
CGIS will continue to provide updates on this page as warranted. Questions may be addressed to CGIS Health & Safety Advisor Rachel Reuter at reuterra@umich.edu, or (734) 764-4311.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 — GCC Israel & Palestine
On Tuesday, May 8th, the United States ended its participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (informally known as the “Iran Nuclear Deal”) and reinstituted sanctions on Iran that had previously been lifted. Shortly after the announcement, as a precautionary measure, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) put their military on high alert.
The CGIS Israel/Palestine GCC program arrived in Sakhnin, Israel, yesterday afternoon, and met their homestay families; they have their first full day of classes today at Sakhnin College. CGIS remains in contact with the on-site program director, who is providing frequent updates/reports.
Additionally, the Health & Safety team at CGIS is monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely, along with our colleagues from UM’s International Travel Oversight Committee and our insurance provider, Drum-Cussac. We will continue to provide updates on this page as warranted. Questions may be addressed to CGIS Health & Safety Advisor Rachel Reuter at reuterra@umich.edu, or (734) 764-4311.
Friday, June 8, 2018 — GCC Brazil
A short while ago, there was a security incident involving a shooting near the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UniRio). The GCC Brazil group was at the University watching a play when they were asked to stay indoors for their safety out of an abundance of caution. After attending a previously scheduled theater class, the ‘all-clear’ was given and the GCC Brazil group returned to the hostel in Ipanema. All members of the GCC Brazil program are safe and sound and have debriefed the incident as a group.Professor Lucas will work with on-site contacts familiar with the city to monitor the situation while CGIS continues to do the same from Ann Arbor. Updates will be provided on this page as is warranted. Questions may be addressed to Health & Safety Advisor, Rachel Reuter, at reuterra@umich.edu or (734) 764-4311.
