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Study Abroad FAQs: Global Issues & Travel Considerations

Health

How is Northwestern University monitoring the COVID-19 situation worldwide?

The Global Learning Office (GLO) collaborates closely with Northwestern University’s Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS), which is monitoring guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of State, and the World Health Organization (WHO). This information is shared with Northwestern’s senior leadership to make decisions that align with institutional efforts to protect the health and safety of our community and our partners.

For information about traveling and COVID-19, please review Infectious Disease Travel Considerations on the OGSS website. 

For more information about Northwestern’s response to COVID-19, please review the University’s latest coronavirus/COVID-19 updates and bookmark related FAQs.

How is Northwestern University monitoring the Monkeypox Virus (MPV) situation worldwide?

The Global Learning Office (GLO) collaborates closely with Northwestern University’s Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS), which is monitoring guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

For information about traveling and Monkeypox Virus (MPV), please review Monkeypox and Travel on the OGSS website. 

For more information about Northwestern’s response to Monkeypox Virus (MPV), please review the University’s latest communication

What circumstances might result in my study abroad program or University-sponsored travel being canceled?

Northwestern conducts thorough and holistic reviews of individual programs and locations in light of COVID-19, Monkeypox Virus (MPV), and other world events. Students’ health and safety are our top priority, and the decision to allow Northwestern students to participate in study abroad programs is based on an evaluation of program resources and practices, as well as current conditions in the program location. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in all program locations and, if conditions change, Northwestern may need to re-evaluate the program.

There are various circumstances that could cause the University to cancel Northwestern Programs or suspend travel to Affiliated, Unaffiliated, or Northwestern Exchange programs. These include but are not limited to:

  • The U.S. Department of State raising the Travel Advisory to a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel) for program locations, especially for reasons other than COVID-19
  • The CDC raising the Travel Health Notice to a Warning Level 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel
  • Host universities or program centers closing and/or suspending courses

Programs may also be canceled at the discretion of Northwestern leadership based on an assessment of associated risks to Northwestern students, the Northwestern campus community, and/or host communities.

Conflict

How is Northwestern University monitoring the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

The Global Learning Office (GLO) collaborates closely with Northwestern University’s Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS) to monitor the evolution of Russia's war on Ukraine and assess risk to Northwestern students. We are in regular communication with our program partners and other local sources in all program locations and follow guidance from the U.S. Department of State and Northwestern's security assistance provider. This information is shared with Northwestern’s senior leadership to make decisions that align with institutional efforts to protect the safety and security of our community and our partners.

For more information about Northwestern’s approach to international risk management, refer to information about Travel Security.

This page was last updated September 1, 2022.

Archived COVID-19 FAQs