COVID-19 Study Abroad FAQs

Q: How is Winthrop making decisions about its study abroad programs?

A: WU takes guidance from the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control. WU Study Abroad also consults with our program providers and overseas partners to make decisions about programs in specific locations. The health and safety of the WU community remains the University’s top priority. As such, any travel abroad to areas designated by the CDC as travel warning level 3 or higher due to COVID-19 is prohibited.

 

Q: Which WU study abroad programs have been cancelled? 

A: On March 13, 2020, in response to the Department of State’s Level 3 Global Travel Advisory and President Trump’s suspension of airline travel from continental Europe, Winthrop recalled all spring semester 2020 study abroad program participants and cancelled all travel for Faculty-Led Programs through August 2020. Students registered for the following spring semester Faculty-Led Programs will be able to complete course requirements remotely, but travel has been cancelled:

  • ARTH 482: Arts & Culture of Central Europe (Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic)
  • EDUC 395: Culturally Diverse Teaching Practices (Dominican Republic)
  • ENGL 311: Paris in the Jazz Age (France and Italy)
  • INDS 483: Architecture & Art of France and Spain 
  • SPMA 325/SPFA 674/EXSC 231: Sports & Culture in South Korea and Japan

WU Study Abroad is working with the students, the host program or university, and our campus partners, including Financial Aid, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Health Services, to address the needs of participants. We will be contacting participants as more information becomes available. 

 

Q: What would happen if future WU study abroad programs get cancelled?

A: We continue to monitor the situation closely and will notify participants should future study abroad program cancellations become necessary.

 

Q: What are the policies related to returning to Winthrop after study abroad participants get back to the U.S.?

A: All WU students returning from abroad should take the following precautions: 

  • Please be advised that any student, faculty or staff member who chooses to travel to a country designated by the CDC as travel warning level 3 or higher due to COVID-19 or an area experiencing widespread or sustained transmission of COVID-19 domestically will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return at their permanent residence and be symptom free before they can return to campus.
  • It is important to note that travelers also could be subject to assessment by federal health officials at airports upon re-entry into the U.S. or restricted travel within your community by South Carolina health officials.
  • Participants should plan to return to their permanent addresses from abroad; however students with specific needs will be accommodated on campus on a case-by-case basis. In general, there will be limited access during the two-week remote instructional period after Spring Break (Mar. 16-20) and the remote instructional period (March 23-April 3). Winthrop offices will remain open.
  • S.C. DHEC’s continued guidance regarding steps to take if you have symptoms of fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing is to please contact your health care provider or the DHEC Careline (1-855-472-3432, 8 am – 6pm, 7 days per week) for instructions.
  • Continue to follow Winthrop University's COVID-19 Response updates.