The SFS Health & Wellness and Risk Management teams continue to closely monitor COVID-19 both globally and locally.
SFS has comprehensive risk management plans in place and our safety systems are a guiding principle for all decisions about programming. We closely follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and U.S. Department of State recommendations. There are many logistical and academic considerations, including travel restrictions, that we will be taking into account when evaluating potential program changes. We will continue to make updates to this page with relevant information.
Learn more about SFS health and safety or read about the SFS COVID-19 Policies and Procedures for upcoming programs in our FAQ section below.
Please note that all U.S.-based SFS staff are currently working remotely. Email is the best way to reach us at this time and you can find a list of contact information HERE.
We continue to actively assess the global outlook for international travel and study abroad. We are closely monitoring COVID-19 developments from the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and our local contacts. Our highest priority is the health, security, and wellbeing of students, staff, and the local communities in which our programs are based. Program itineraries will be subject to change based on the current conditions and advisories in both the host country and the U.S at the time of the program.
We are mapping out revised campus safety protocols based on host country, CDC, and WHO guidelines in addition to any changes we may need to make to programming due to the status of the pandemic at the time of active programming. We anticipate some changes to levels of community engagement, independent travel, and travel to certain regions and program activities that may not be available.
Vaccine Requirement: Beginning with Summer 2021 programs, SFS will now require all students to provide proof of vaccination prior to participation in their SFS program. Students will need to show proof of full vaccination no later than two weeks prior to departure for their program. You can read more about this decision in the FAQs below.
Booster Recommendations: Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, if you are eligible, the School for Field Studies is highly encouraging that you receive a Covid-19 booster shot at least 14 days prior to your Spring semester program departure. Please consult with your physician regarding your eligibility for a booster shot.
For Chile students, additional restrictions apply. Beginning January 1, 2022, non-resident foreigners in Chile who are fully vaccinated for Covid-19, but who do not have a booster dose, will only have their mobility pass enabled for 30 days. For non-resident foreigners with a booster dose, they will have their mobility pass (Pase de Movilidad) enabled for the duration of the tourist visa, that is, 90 days, covering them for their entire SFS program. With this announcement, SFS strongly recommends students receive their booster shot in the United States as soon as possible, to prevent any complications in Chile. You may not travel freely throughout Chile without an active Pase de Movilidad, including taking your return flight to Santiago.
Booster Requirements: Beginning with the Summer I 2022 session, all students will be required to have received a Covid-19 booster shot in order to participate in an SFS program. Students will need to show proof of full vaccination, including a Covid-19 booster, no later than two weeks prior to departure for Summer I programs.
Read more about the Covid-19 Booster shot at the CDC page here.
SFS will be offering the following programs:
SFS will return to offering all regularly scheduled programs with the exception of Australia, Peru, and Cambodia. Check out all other available Spring 2022 locations.
SFS will offer our full schedule of programs at all locations.
Last updated October 12, 2021.
Each SFS Center has a Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) that comprehensively documents emergency response protocols and contingency plans. The protocols list the locations and contact details for nearby medical clinics, advanced medical care, and emergency evacuation services while also providing our staff, who are trained in wilderness medicine, with guidance on how to respond to incidents or emergencies.
For students enrolled for an upcoming program at a suspended location, we will notify students and their home institutions. We will work with students to determine if there is an alternative SFS program that would meet their academic needs and interests.
A summary of coverage connected to this policy can be found here.
As responsible travelers, it is our obligation to not increase the exposure locally, and in many cases, the outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. was wider than that of SFS program locations. Being vaccinated not only decreases the risk of contracting COVID-19 during travel but also protects the community where the SFS program is based, fellow students, and SFS staff. SFS shares in this responsibility and as vaccines are available locally, we are supporting our staff in becoming vaccinated.
Read more about our policies and procedures for upcoming programs:
SFS COVID-19 POLICIES & PROCEDURES