COVID-19 Study Abroad FAQ

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Office of Global Engagement
Lower-level Story Student Center
Lincoln, NE 68504
studyabroad [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (studyabroad[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)

COVID-19 Study Abroad FAQ

Is the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) still open?

Yes! The Office of Global Engagement is open and located on the lower level of the Student Life Center. We ask that you practice physical distancing at all times while in the office. Meetings are being held both in-person and virtually. Make an appointment to discuss studying abroad at https://calendly.com/cschlaut-oge/study-abroad-meeting or email studyabroad [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (studyabroad[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)

Is it safe to travel abroad?

Nebraska Wesleyan University is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic as international, national, state, and local officials address the spread of the virus to ensure the safety of our students. Nebraska Wesleyan University has decided to cautiously resume study abroad programs in accordance with our international travel policy. NWU’s travel policy can be found at  https://www.nebrwesleyan.edu/about-nwu/policies/international-travel-policy 

Country-specific information regarding COVID-19 can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19….

Current recommendations from the CDC regarding travel during the pandemic can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-trave….

Can I defer my study abroad program to a later semester?

Yes, if you were planning on studying abroad in Spring 2022, or any term which gets cancelled, you can usually defer to a later semester. You should reference your specific program or contact the Office of Global Engagement for more information about this process

What is the status of other terms for studying abroad?

Many study abroad programs are currently hosting students. Specific details are expected to fluctuate due to COVID-19.

Summer 2022:
NWU faculty-led programs ARE happening during Summer 2022. We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 in the countries in which these programs are going in order to ensure students’ safety.

If my program is cancelled, will I owe any money?

Generally, if Nebraska Wesleyan University has decided to cancel your program due to COVID-19, you will be refunded any fees you have already paid to NWU and will not incur any additional costs. If payments on your behalf have been made before NWU cancels the program, NWU will do its best to recover as much of those payments as possible and pass that refund back to you.

If you have already paid any program-specific (i.e. ISEP application fees), nonrefundable fees, you are not guaranteed a refund upon cancellation but usually can defer to a later semester at no extra cost.

Can I use my scholarships if I defer my program to a later term?

If you have received any funding for study abroad from outside sources, you should contact the organization who granted the scholarship about your program cancellation and inquire whether you will be able to use the award in a later term.

What is the status of US passport applications and issuance?

If you apply for routine processing, you can expect your passport in 8 to 11 weeks and if you apply for expedited processing (for an additional $60) you can expect your passport in 5 to 7 weeks. Mail times may vary across the country.

For the most up to date information on passport processing please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/

Where can I find country-specific information regarding COVID-19 regulations?

Country specific information regarding COVID-19 information and regulations can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Co….

U.S. Department of State country specific travel advisories can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvis….

Are there virtual study abroad programs I can do from home?

Yes, there are options to virtually intern or study abroad through ISEP and other independent programs. If you are interested in a virtual study abroad experience, you should contact the Office of Global Engagement for more information via email to studyabroad [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (studyabroad[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu). Please also watch our website for more information as we develop it.

Will I be contacted directly with any updates regarding study abroad and COVID-19?

If you have applied or formally expressed interest to study abroad to the Office of Global Engagement (OGE), then the answer is yes, OGE staff will update students planning to study abroad with relative information regarding COVID-19.

Who can I contact if I have other questions about study abroad and COVID-19?

If you have any questions regarding study abroad and COVID-19 that this page fails to answer, please contact the Director of Global Engagement, Sarah Barr, at sbarr [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (sbarr[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).