For students returning from cancelled programs due to the global COVID-19 pandemic under any of the following, in conjunction or separately:
- A Centers for Disease Control Level 3 Warning – Avoid Nonessential travel ;
- A U.S. State Department Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel” status) or Level 4 Travel
Advisory (“Do Not Travel” status); - The host country or U.S. governments recommend evacuation or immediate
departure for foreign visitors or U.S. citizens. - Program suspension or cancellation by a Program Provider or Host institution.
The University of Rhode Island continues to coordinate with program providers and host institutions on the expedited safe return of our students on education abroad to their homes in the U.S. or home country. Additional information is provided below to address the immediate concerns of students and family members.
FAQ’s for Returning Students
What should returning students do to monitor their health upon return?
Students returning to the U.S. should return home and follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel site and continue to follow preventive measures to limit the spread in the community. URI Health Services will outreach to students via their Electronic Health Record (EHR) with information about self-quarantine instructions for 14 days off-campus as well as health information for monitoring the status of their health. Health Services staff remain available at 401-874-2246 should medical questions or concerns arise.
All members of the community should continue to review the latest COVID-19 information and preventive measures, provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These resources are linked from the URI Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) website:
How will students complete academic work started overseas?
We know many students and their families are worried about the transfer of academic credit that started overseas. Program providers and host institutions will have been, and will be, in direct communication with students that were participating in their program(s). URI is also communicating with the program providers related to this matter and will continue to do so. Specific instructions may not be available for several days or more. The Office of International Education will in collaboration with the academic departments, work directly with students on a case-by-case basis, as needed, to help with the completion of academic requirements. We appreciate the patience of those impacted, as solutions to these challenging situations are multifaceted and will take some time. If you were participating in an internship, please contact your program director to discuss your options in the U.S.
Should returnees visit campus?
URI at the request of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are asking that upon returning to the United States, students should go directly home for a period of 14 days of self-quarantine and not to come to campus.
If returnees develop signs of illness within 14 days of returning to the U.S., such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath, should call their healthcare provider.
As of March 19, 2020 the University of Rhode Island has suspended face-to-face classes on all campuses.
Will students receive any form of refund from program providers or overseas programs?
Financial considerations will be evaluated in the coming weeks. Providers and host institutions will be in direct communication with students who were on their programs to determine if any expenditures are recoverable. Patience is requested as it will take time for each program to communicate with individual vendors, institutions, landlords, etc.
Will CISI Insurance coverage continue until students return to the U.S. now that the program is suspended?
International travel insurance provides medical insurance, evacuation, and personal liability coverage for University faculty, staff, students, or affiliates traveling on behalf of the University outside the United States. The URI Risk Management Department has entered into an agreement with CISI International to provide this coverage and worldwide assistance and evacuation services for all foreign travel. Please see the International Travel Insurance website for additional information.
https://www.culturalinsurance.com/uri/
This policy will continue to provide medical coverage to any URI student until the original program end date, while they are abroad. CISI coverage automatically stops as soon as students reenter the U.S.
Students participating in education abroad program provider options that also provide coverage should defer to communications from their program regarding insurance coverage. Regardless of any additional coverage provided by individual programs, the URI CISI plan still provides the benefits according to the guidelines provided above.
Is it possible for students to temporarily relocate to other places or travel, rather than return to the United States?
URI is officially recalling students to return to the U.S. or home country from locations where programs have been suspended or cancelled. This decision has to do with the ever-changing dynamic of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, nobody can accurately predict the future and exactly how or where COVID-19 will spread. The U.S government and/or local host governments can enact travel restrictions, institute quarantines, and activate additional border screening processes and flight carriers can announce suspension of travel routes into and out of a country at any time. Due to these potential additional disruptions, students should communicate with their families about the advisability of relocating to other places abroad when programs have been officially cancelled or suspended.
Will suspended or cancelled programs resume if the COVID-19 situation improves dramatically?
URI and program providers would address this on a case by case basis. At this time we will continue to concentrate on supporting the immediate needs of our students as they return stateside. However, as of March 19, 2020 it is considered highly unlikely spring 2020 programs will resume in the host countries given the status of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
How will students and families obtain updates?
URI, education abroad program providers, and host institutions will continue to send updates directly to students impacted by specific program suspensions or cancellations. Most communication will occur via email.
URI academic and support offices, including the Office of International Education will update students and families as appropriate and assist in providing information that will be posted to the URI Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) website where updates impacting the URI community will be located – web.uri.edu/coronavirus
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
This is truly an unprecedented event and time. URI will continue to work tirelessly to support students and families to the fullest extent possible. We are closely monitoring this situation as it develops and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
March 19, 2020