Office of Global EducationCOVID-19

My passport is expired/will be expiring soon. (Or, I don’t have a passport yet.) Will I have time to apply?

The State Department is estimating that passport applications - new and renewals - will take longer than usual to process. (The State Department's passport website has updated processing times.) For students who also need a visa to enter the host country, you need to apply for your passport well in advance in order to have your new passport in time to apply for your visa application. (Students in this situation may want to choose a program for which no visa is required.) All students should check their passport expiration date and apply or renew asap if necessary. 

How do I choose between programs? How will I know which program will run? 

This is a very difficult question to answer as it is impossible to predict the trajectory of the pandemic. Most programs, though, have detailed COVID protocols and have been operating for at least a couple semesters (host country entry requirements permitting). While programs - and Amherst - may require additional steps of students in order to study away, students should assess their comfort level with the risks involved in studying in a particular location and any restrictions that might be imposed. GEO feels it is very possible to have a rewarding experience on study away but students may need to adjust their expectations.

Will the College allow study away?

The College is permitting students to study away, as per the College’s student travel policy, though students may need to petition to participate in college-sponsored travel to countries with a level 3 or 4 State Department Travel Advisory and/or CDC Travel Health Notice when the level 3 or 4 is for any reason other than COVID. (For example, if the only reason there is a level 3 and 4, then you do not need to petition.) All students need to sign a special acknowledgement of risk form, which you will receive from GEO, in addition to the travel waiver that is in part 2 of the study away approval checklist. 

How do I know which programs are still accepting applications?

The Amherst College Travel Registry has a list, with program links, to all pre-approved programs. Students are strongly encouraged to check with the program directly to see if applications are still being accepted, even if on a space-available basis.

My host country requires a visa; should I apply for one?

Check with your program about whether you are required to obtain a visa to your host country. Though your program may offer advice and provide supporting documents (e.g., an official admission letter to the program), each traveler must apply for his/her/their own visa. You should think about (and discuss with your family and trusted advisers) about whether you want to apply and pay for the visa application even if you are uncertain if you will be traveling. If you are unable to attend the program, please know that visa fees are non-refundable.

Will I be required to have proof of a COVID vaccine and/or a booster shot prior to studying away?

The College requires that all students be fully vaccinated, including a booster if eligible. Medical and religious exemptions are permitted, but some programs and host countries will not honor an Amherst exemption. It is possible that some countries and/or programs may require travelers to show proof of a CDC or World Health Organization-approved COVID vaccine. You can check requirements on the U.S. State Department’s country-specific COVID pages. If you are studying with a program provider, they will also keep you updated on any entry requirements.

I receive financial aid from the College. What costs are covered for study away?

You will receive two bills for study away: one from Amherst with Amherst tuition (since you are receiving credit for your Amherst degree), and one from your program with non-tuition expenses. Financial aid is comprehensive and fully transferable to all approved programs. The Study Away Budget includes costs over tuition, room and board (e.g., airfare, visa fees). Read more about finances and study away here.

How do I petition the College’s travel policy?

Students may petition to travel to countries with a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4 and/or a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID Travel Health Notice Level 3 or 4 when the level is for reasons other than COVID. For example, if the reason a country is level 3 or 4 is ONLY because of COVID, then a student does not need to petition. If the level 3 or 4 is for other reasons (e.g., civil unrest, terrorism), then students must submit a travel petition.

Travel petitions must be submitted by April 15 for fall departures and October 15 for spring departures. Students may submit late petitions only if the State Department Travel Advisory and/or CDC Travel Health Notice raises after this date. If you have not yet learned of admission to your study away program by the travel petition deadline, petition as if you were traveling to the host country of your top-choice program should that country require a travel petition.

All study away students who are in the study away approval process will be sent instructions to their Amherst email address on how to submit the travel petition.

May I enroll in courses at Amherst AND a study away program?

No, students may only enroll in courses at Amherst OR courses on the study away program. 

Should I confirm my spot on the program I’ve been accepted to?

Many programs require a confirmation of attendance through a program deposit. You need to check with your program to learn what date the program deposit becomes non-refundable. Some programs will refund the deposit up until the day before departure; others refund the deposit far in advance of the departure date. It is essential that you mark your calendar with the program deposit refund date because if you withdraw past this deadline, you will be responsible for this fee.

For some programs, the College covers the program deposit for the student and it will be paid when the College receives your tuition bill from your program. (Remember: Amherst charges Amherst tuition for study away programs that count towards your Amherst degree and, therefore, we pay all tuition fees from your program on your behalf.) 

For other programs, students are responsible for the deposit because the deposit is billed against non-tuition expenses such as housing. Students who receive significant financial aid may be eligible to have a deposit advanced but you will need to contact the aid office to determine if you are eligible or whether it will need to be covered from your family contribution.

Will I be required to quarantine upon arrival, during my program, and upon return to my home country?

Fewer countries are requiring quarantine but it is a possibility. Some countries require quarantine upon arrival and, in these instances, programs are building quarantine into the semester. With vaccination increasing, some countries are waiving or reducing quarantine with proof of vaccination.

If you become exposed to the coronavirus through personal (rather than program-sponsored) travel, you may be required to quarantine and you may be required to financially support yourself during that time, including securing non-program accommodation, meals, etc.

What steps do I need to take if I decide to study away?

Students need to complete all steps in the Study Away Approval Checklist in the Amherst College Travel Registry. All students need to complete Steps 1-3 of the checklist by April 1. 

When should I purchase my flight?

This is a very personal decision, since students are financially responsible for their tickets. Consult with your program, your family, and your trusted advisers. Please make sure you understand the policies to cancel and/or change your flight in case you need to make adjustments in the future.

Students receiving financial aid should consult with the Financial Aid Office before purchasing airfare.

My program was suspended and I have the option of attending a different site with the same provider. May I attend?

If your specific program is suspended but the program provider is offering you the option to attend a different program in a new location, so long as the new option is pre-approved, you only need to confirm the new program with GEO. If the option offered to you is not pre-approved, you need to petition the committee on global education. GEO will permit late petitions in this instance. Please contact GEO as soon as possible if you are asked if you can switch programs.

May I attend my program if it moves exclusively online?

No, Amherst does not approve exclusively online study away programs. If your program begins onsite but is disrupted and you need to return home, you may continue in your courses remotely. But if the program starts entirely online, you cannot attend for credit transfer nor can financial aid be applied to the program. If the onsite experience of your program is suspended prior to departure but the academic program is offered remotely, you will need to withdraw or pay out of pocket for the program. Carefully consider the refund policies of your program since there may be fees that are non-refundable.

What happens if my program is suspended once I am on site?

If your program is suspended once you are in your host country, it is highly likely that you will shift to remote learning and your program will advise you on how to return home, should travel to your home country be permitted. You will not be able to return to the Amherst campus to continue learning remotely with your study away program. 

Students are responsible for fees related to changing their flights. It is imperative that you check with your program regarding a refund of any room, board, and other non-tuition expenses. Some programs advance funds for housing for the entire semester and, therefore, there may be no refund if you depart early.

If my program is disrupted while I am on site and I have to return home, will I receive a refund from the program?

Most courses are likely going to continue remotely if you return home and you should remain enrolled in your courses if you depart. Some programs may not be able to offer a refund of room and board fees if they pay all costs upfront for the entire semester. Other programs may be able to offer a pro-rated refund. You should discuss this scenario with your program.

What will my program or host country do if COVID cases increase? 

It is possible that your host country and/or study away program may impose curfews, temporarily reduce or suspend all in-person activities, require you to “shelter-in-place,” and other alterations to “normal” life so as to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission. You are expected to follow all program, local, and national guidelines in your host environment. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action from the program (e.g., probation, suspension) or action from local government (e.g., fines). We have seen host countries and programs move in and out of restrictions throughout the pandemic, so it is likely that any restrictions will be lifted in due time once it is safe to resume in-person activities.

Please remember that while you are on study away, the Amherst Student Code of Conduct applies and the College reserves the right to review your academic and disciplinary record from your program and implement similar institutional action. If you are subject to legal action, the College can only refer you to legal counsel in your host country (through AIG Travel Guard).

What travel restrictions might I encounter?

Some programs have already decided that students may not travel outside the host country and loosing or tightening of restrictions could change over time. (The policies may differ between vaccinated and non-vaccinated students.) You should prepare for the possibility of sheltering-in-place in your host country while you take your courses remotely. 

While it may be disappointing to learn that you are not able to travel freely within a geographic region, please remember that this is an excellent opportunity to explore your host city and country. We are confident that you will feel at home - a second home! - in your host country should you be unable to travel regionally.

Should I pre-register for courses at Amherst?

You do not need to pre-register if you are planning to study away. If for some reason your plans change, you will pre-register and participate in housing selection prior to the start of the semester at Amherst. If you reverse your decision to study away, you will register for courses during add/drop. (Please note there may be non-recoverable fees associated with non-medical withdrawals from study away programs.)

May I reduce the number of credits I take while away? 

No, students must take a minimum of 15 U.S. semester credits on their program. (If students are struggling while away, with a serious personal or medical issue, they should contact their class dean about dropping a course.) See our Policies page for more details on credits.

May I take courses pass/fail?

No, students must take all courses for a letter grade.