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Worldwide Alerts

Travel Warning for Turkey

9/11/13

Due to the September 6 issuance of a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning for Turkey, all programs in Turkey are currently under review; however, applications may still be submitted. Please check here for any status updates.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Julie Anne Friend, Associate Director for International Safety and Security, at julie.friend@northwestern.edu or at (847) 467-3175.


NU's Undergraduate Presence in the Middle East

8/29/13

Northwestern University, along with its overseas partners, is closely monitoring events in the Middle East and considering all outcomes following a potential missile strike on Syria by U.S. forces.

As it's impossible to predict what could result in the region if such a strike were to occur, we are presently committed to supporting our undergraduate study abroad students' continued presence in Israel, Jordan and Turkey. (Northwestern does not currently sponsor study abroad programs in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran or Egypt). However, we remain watchful and are prepared to take action to mitigate risks or evacuate should the need arise.

Yesterday, we contacted all our students already in the region as well as those departing soon, and advised them to regularly check their email and to stay alert to other forms of communications (text, posters and bulletins in classrooms or residence halls) for the most up-to-date security information. We have reminded students of their responsibility to adhere to all such advice and directives. We've also urged all our students to register their travel with U.S. Department of State's Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) as this will allow them to receive security updates directly from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Julie Anne Friend, Associate Director for International Safety and Security, at julie.friend@northwestern.edu or at (847) 467-3175.

Questions about NU-Qatar can be directed to Grant Upson, Director, NU-Q Support Office, at g-upson@northwestern.edu or at (847) 467-0902.


Worldwide Travel Alert

8/5/13

On Friday, August 2, the U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Travel Alert for U.S. Citizens traveling in North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. This notice has been issued in tandem with DOS's announced closure of U.S. diplomatic mission offices in selected countries in response to reported credible threats of potential terrorist attacks against those posts.

Northwestern University's study abroad participation in this region is particularly low this time of year, but we will make contact with the small number of students currently studying in the affected areas to make sure they are aware of the Alert. We will also contact students planning to study in the region for fall quarter.

We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops; however, no programmatic changes are anticipated at this time.

Travel Warning for Egypt

7/12/13

Northwestern University does not have any study abroad students enrolled in programs in Egypt this summer. Furthermore, according to records provided by various campus units that fund independent undergraduate research abroad, we also do not have any such students in Egypt at this time. Please note that Northwestern does not regulate, or track, the international travel of faculty, staff or graduate students.

On June 28, The U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Egypt. Northwestern University's Undergraduate Travel Policy prohibits participation in university-sponsored educational experiences in countries under a Travel Warning unless an exception to the policy is granted by an appeal to the Study Abroad Risk Assessment Committee and the Provost. Northwestern operates study abroad programs in Mexico and Israel under such exceptions.

However, the Study Abroad Office has elected not to seek a waiver of the travel policy. As a result, current and future study abroad programs in Egypt will remain on indefinite suspension.