Northwestern University encourages its students to participate in educational experiences abroad. To minimize health and safety risks, the University links approval of undergraduate international travel to U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisories.
Undergraduates planning to visit countries under a Travel Advisory Level 3 - Reconsider Travel must seek approval from Northwestern. Undergraduate travel to Level 4 - Do Not Travel designations is prohibited, although exceptions may be granted. To learn more, read about the Undergraduate International Travel Policy. To apply for an exception to this policy, read the Travel Permission Request Process.
Travel Update:
Non-credit, university-sponsored undergraduate international travel to Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula only), Morocco, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom (England & Scotland) are pre-approved and do not require additional review or approval by the university. If the destination is not pre-approved and is located in a country with a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory or a CDC COVID Advisory Level 3 or 4 rating, the trip must be reviewed and approved. Follow the instructions on the International Travel Policies page to submit a Travel Permission Request. These rules and procedures apply through Spring Break (March 28). Prior to this date, we will make a determination about Spring and Summer Quarters. Pre-departure requirements apply for all approved travel, including enrolling in the Northwestern Travel Registry and registering with GeoBlue.
In alignment with university policy, all members of the Northwestern community (students, faculty and staff) are expected to follow University guidance on vaccinations, which are required for all community members with limited exceptions, prior to commencing any university-affiliated travel.
Study Abroad is a credit-bearing educational experience abroad (either Northwestern-sponsored, affiliated, approved unaffiliated or approved non-Northwestern) that results in progress toward an academic degree at Northwestern. These programs are typically administered by the Global Learning Office.
Health and safety pre-departure requirements are integrated into orientation by the sponsoring office.
Non-credit/non-study abroad undergraduate international activities must comply with the directives of the OGSS office. This travel will be considered Northwestern-sponsored if it meets at least one of these criteria.