Health and Safety

The University’s Emergency Management Response Team and the Office of Study Abroad have been closely monitoring the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In making decisions, the University is measuring all relevant factors, including guidelines put forth by state and federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. State Department.

• For future information, please see Clark University’s institution-wide COVID response plan here.

Additional Resources:

• U.S. Department of State
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• International SOS
• British Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• NAFSA Coronavirus Critical Resources
• Press Briefing by the President’s Coronavirus Task Force

Clark University recommends that you register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) on the U.S. State Department website, where you will find additional useful information for traveling abroad. If you are not a U.S. citizen, register with the Embassy/Consulate of your home country.

• Take basic wellness measures such as washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and staying away from others who are sick
• Have a communication plan. Discuss how you and your family will address any emergencies. You could draft a general plan of how to get in contact, listing methods of communication to use and the order in which to use them depending on the time of day or week. Make a small card with your emergency contact’s information to carry in your wallet.
• Keep informed. When you’re traveling, make sure the program, foreign university international student office, host family and your family back home know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. Consider providing your program and family members (including host family) with an itinerary as well as emergency contact information.
• Orientation. Make sure you attend orientation programs run on-site by the study abroad program and/or foreign university. These sessions provide region-specific information regarding health and safety issues with the latest updates.
• Make contact. Although Clark maintains a crisis management plan for all its programs, we don’t administer any of the programs on site. Therefore, you should contact the program provider or host university directly to get up-to-date emergency and safety plans.
• Keep a file of important information! We recommend you and your family each keeps a back-up file of critical information while away. This includes:
  • Contact information
  • Contact information for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate closest to the program
  • Insurance policy information
  • Extra copies of passport
  • Flight information
  • Medical history/immunizations/prescription medications
  • Copies of credit card numbers

In addition to domestic coverage, all students must be enrolled in international health insurance while abroad. Clark Study Abroad partners with GeoBlue Travel Insurance for any student not already covered by a program plan.

You should also familiarize yourself with the Clark University Risk Management resources, including the Clark University International Travel Policy, emergency procedures and health insurance policies.

It is important to be aware that academic accommodations that you currently receive or have received in the past may not be widely available at your program location. If you have a disability that impacts your educational learning, we encourage you to register with Support Accessibility Services (SAS) if you have not already. By working with SAS, students can receive documentation to give to their abroad program to support the request for accommodations. Students should also be in touch directly with the program for information on accommodations on site.

• If you require accommodations, you should be in touch with your program as soon as possible (even if you have not been accepted yet).
• You will need to obtain a letter from your physician and Clark’s Director of Accessibility Services outlining your accommodation needs and bring them with you overseas.
• Certain prescription medications may be illegal or unavailable in your host country. It is your responsibility to discuss this with your physician and your program health insurer early on, and to find out whether these medications can legally be brought into the country or can be prescribed locally.

Studying abroad provides participants with meaningful opportunities to get out of their comfort zone and gain a new world view. As part of your study abroad experience, you may be challenged in only only physical, but also philosophical, personal and emotional ways that you didn’t expect.  While not on campus, you will not have access to counseling at CPG, but you will have additional layers of support for mental health, including access to on-site professionals and health insurance resources.

We encourage you to be aware of the following resources for how to prepare for social-emotional issues that may arise.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinations for host countries of many Clark study abroad programs. Your host institution’s handbook will provide health recommendations/requirements information prior to departure.
• To find out more about country-specific vaccination recommendations and health data, visit the CDC website or call 1-404-332-4565.