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COVID-19 FAQ

Study Abroad Program Status

Brockport has reopened study abroad continues to monitor the evolution of the global pandemic and carefully evaluates all aspects of health and safety protocols. The Education Abroad team will continue to support students and their plans to participate in study abroad programs to begin as early as Spring 2022. We will offer a reduced number of programs and will continue to review them on a program-by-program basis. We will keep students informed along the way of any program changes.
 
Brockport determines each programs status with guidance from SUNY. Each program is individually reviewed and assessed following the CDC and U.S. Department of State travel advisories. Check back for updates concerning future terms.

If you would like to speak with a study abroad advisor about your specific program, please make an appointment here. 
The Office of Education Abroad will inform students of any decision that may impact their program. Program status updates can be shared in the following ways:
 
  • All students who have a study abroad application open on Brockport’s Education Abroad site will be added to the communication list and receive status updates as they are released via email.
  • Updates will be shared accordingly here on the COVID-19 FAQ page
  • Students who wish to speak with an advisor can schedule an appointment here.

Program Cancellations

If a program gets cancelled, or postponed before the program begins each program may have it’s own contingency plan depending on location and program type (faculty-led, exchange, etc.). Student should work with their academic advisor to develop a plan for courses abroad as well as courses at their home campus. We encourage students to have three plans in place to be best prepared:
 
  • Identify your top study abroad program. This program should be the one you commit and deposit to.
  • Apply for a second study abroad program as a backup to the program identified above. We strongly recommend this program be in a different country than your first choice because travel advisories levels are assigned per country. Two programs with the same travel advisory level may result in the same operating status. Speak with a study abroad advisor if you are having trouble finding a second program to apply to.
  • Work with your academic advisor at your home campus to have classes planned at your home campus incase all your options are suspended.
After a program start date, the Office of Education Abroad will work with the faculty leader or host institution abroad to work out a distant learning option. In the event the host university could not deliver a course through distant learning, Brockport will work with academic advisors to come up with solutions so they can retain credit.
 
We encourage students to have a contingency plan and remain flexible during this COVID era. Students should work with their academic advisor to develop a plan for courses abroad as well as backup plans at their home university in the event students have a disruption to their planned program.

If a program is able to run and you are registered for classes at your home campus, we will ask you to drop those classes so we may register you for classes abroad.
 
If a student chooses to return home after the start of the program and the program is not cancelled, the student should immediately contact the Office of Education Abroad. We will provide guidance to the student regarding implications on academics as well as financial impact. Once the Office of Education Abroad has confirmation of the student’s choice of withdrawal in writing, we will take necessary steps to assure the student returns safely and communicate to all appropriate departments/individuals. Students should review the Procedures Handbook and Agreement and Release before finalizing their decision to understand the academic and financial impact.
 

Application Process

A limited number of programs are open due to the ongoing pandemic. Students can browse programs by term to see a list. At any time this list may change so we encourage you to check back often or speak with a study abroad advisor.
When opening an application, students should have conversations with their academic advisor to discuss classes and a study abroad advisor for their questions/concerns related to going abroad. We encourage students to have a contingency plan and remain flexible during this COVID era. Students are encouraged to apply for two study abroad programs and identify which is their top choice. The second choice will act as a “backup” program in the event the first program is cancelled due to the pandemic. We strongly encourage students select their second program in a different country due to travel advisory levels being assigned by country.

There is no financial commitment by opening and applying for a program. Once you are accepted into a program is when you will make your first financial commitment by depositing towards the program cost.
 
Some application materials may be deferred if they are still relevant and were submitted within the last two semesters. Please contact overseas@brockport.edu with you name and program of interest to see if any of your application materials can be transferred.
 
Students are encouraged to apply for two study abroad programs and identify which is their top choice. The second choice will act as a “backup” program in the event the first program is cancelled due to the pandemic. We strongly encourage students select their second program in a different country due to travel advisory levels being assigned by country. No more than two applications can be opened at one time, per student. If you have questions, please contact overseas@brockport.edu.
 
Students can withdraw their application at any time before making a deposit without any penalty. If a student wants to withdraw their application after they deposited, they should immediately contact the Office of Education Abroad to learn of the financial liability.
 
In response to the pandemic, the Office of Education Abroad developed two virtual opportunities which will allow students to have an international curriculum domestically. Click on the links below to learn more:

Going Abroad & Returning Home

As of February 2022, new passports may take as long as 8-11 weeks to process. Students must have a passport valid for at least six months after their program end date. Click here for processing times.
 
Students must keep up-to-date with requirements of the host country, host university and the airline they will be flying with. Office of Education Abroad will consistently provide resources to students based on CDC and US Department of State guidance, and as well as guidance provided by the host university. It is important that students remain fluid and flexible surrounding the COVID-19 guidelines as they are often changing.
 
Students must keep up-to-date with requirements of the host country and host university. Office of Education Abroad will consistently provide resources to students based on CDC and US Department of State guidance, and as well as guidance provided by the host university. It is important that students remain fluid and flexible surrounding the COVID-19 guidelines as they are often changing.
 
Per SUNY and NYS guidance, students will be conditionally admitted to a study abroad program but will not be approved to depart until the vaccine, whether delivered as a single or dual dose, will have reached maximum efficacy as stated by the manufacturer of the vaccine. For more information on the vaccine requirement, contact overseas@brockport.edu. 
 
Students should book their own flight tickets based on the arrival guides of the host university and their travel memo that they will receive from Office of Education Abroad closer to the start of their program. At the appropriate time, students should reach out to their study abroad advisor prior to finalizing the purchase of their flight ticket. It is strongly encouraged students purchase flexible tickets with travel insurance and understand the financial responsibility involved with changing flight tickets. SUNY reserves the right to cancel programs based on local conditions. Students should have contingency funds planned as part of their overall program budget.
 
All SUNY students are enrolled in health insurance for the duration of their time abroad. The current policy will not cover expenses related to asymptomatic testing, quarantine accommodations or changes to travel. The Office of Education Abroad will register you about two weeks before your trip. Full details of coverage can be found SUNY Int'l Study Abroad PPT 2021-22.pptx.

Trip cancellation insurance is not included with Brockport. It is strongly encouraged that you purchase travel insurance for yourself in case of a program cancellation, delayed flight, cancelled flight, lost luggage, etc. It is the students responsibility to purchase travel insurance.
Students studying abroad are responsible for knowing all the latest information about their program, the host university/country policies and for completing all required documents/procedures.
  • If a student wants to withdraw their application any point after submitting their deposit, must immediately contact the Office of Education Abroad in writing
  • Before going overseas, students must provide all of their contact information (phone, email, address in host country, etc.) to the Office of Education Abroad so that they can be reached easily in the event of an emergency
  • Students are always welcome to book an appointment with a study abroad advisor
  • Office of Education Abroad will communicate directly with students to assure that all communication is clearly understood and to address any concerns. Students are encouraged to share all important information with their parent/guardian. Only in the event of an emergency will Office of Education Abroad directly contact the individual(s) listed on the students emergency form
Students are responsible for arrangements upon return which comply with their home country/state/campus requirement