Here at Study Away Programs, we are taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. We have been working with local health systems and the university as a whole to create plans of action that will keep our students safe domestically and internationally. Current information regarding our response to COVID-19 can be found on our website, along with other resources. We are remaining hopeful that the current situation will come to improve with due time. Meanwhile, we will continue to educate our students and their families on the process of studying abroad and how it might change in the near future. Here are some key points to keep in mind while planning to go abroad in the midst of a pandemic. 

Start Planning Now

Currently, we are planning on allowing students and faculty to travel for the spring 2021 semester. This of course could change depending on how the next few months go. Regardless, we always encourage our students to start earlier rather than later when it comes to meeting with us. It is not uncommon to plan your study away experience two or even three years in advance. This gives students the chance to make a final selection on a region or country, start the visa and passport process, and give them time to apply for the multitude of scholarships available specifically for Study Away Programs.

Know the Refund Policies if Going Through a Provider

For some of our programs, students choose to apply through a third party provider that we partner with to facilitate study away programs. These programs generally offer more perks than a traditional exchange program directly through Missouri State University. These providers generally include meals, excursions, and other in country cultural activities that are usually baked into the price of the program. While researching with your student to see if a certain provider is right for them, be sure to ask them about their refund policies for different circumstances, like panemics. 

Know the Airline Refund Policy

Virtually all airlines have been issuing refunds and at the very least, extremely flexible rebooking policies. Some airlines are giving customers until the end of 2021 to use the flight vouchers for cancelled flights. Check with your preferred airline and see what policies they’ve introduced. You might actually discover that a competitor is offering more flexibility and aligns with how you would prefer to receive a refund if the need arises. 

Consider Purchasing Trip Insurance

Most people are aware of the trip insurance that you can buy directly from airlines and third party travel agencies. However, most travel focused credit cards offer generous trip insurance benefits. These benefits can range from coverage for simple flight cancellations and lost luggage, all the way to even reimbursing you for purchases made while a flight was delayed such as hotel expenditures. Whichever route you choose, trip insurance is just another safety net available to utilize. 

Have a Backup Plan In Case your Program is Cancelled

Programs can be cancelled for a variety of reasons besides the pandemic that we are living in currently. Though this happens rarely, programs have been known to cancel due to instances of social unrest in the area or natural disasters. It’s always good for your student to have a backup plan of classes approved to take here domestically just in case they can’t participate in their program. Some students even go as far as to have backup countries that they would like to study away in. This is especially true for students choosing to study away in Europe as the countries are so tightly together, not much has to be done to simply take a bus a couple hundred miles away to a different country where their new program is located.  

Doing all of this might seem a bit overwhelming at first. That’s why our office is here to help and answer any questions you or your student might have. The best ways to reach us this fall are via our email studyaway@missouristate.edu and via phone at 417-836-6368