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The SFS Safety and Student Life team continues to closely monitor the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (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.
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.
SFS will be offering a revised list of programs. Adjustments include shifting some programs originally scheduled for Summer I to Summer II, and cancelling some programs. SFS will not be offering students the option to “mix and match” Summer I and Summer II programs. There could be too many factors at play with mandatory quarantines, testing requirements, or immigration restrictions. Therefore, if students wish to enroll in two sequential summer programs with SFS, their options
are Kenya or the Turks & Caicos Islands.
All Fall 2021 programs, except Peru and Tanzania, are scheduled to take place at this time.
Last updated March 29, 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.
While we anticipate some adjustments to these policies for Fall 2021, you can read about our Summer 2021 policies in this PDF:
SUMMER 2021: COVID-19 POLICIES & PROCEDURES