Education Abroad Health & Safety Notice

Education Abroad closely monitors health and safety issues around the world. While we are planning for all programs to run, safety conditions may arise that prevent programs from happening.

Center of Global Engagement (CGE) will make an initial determination on whether UNG-sponsored programs will run by the program application deadline. Students can check their program deadlines in the education abroad application portal.

CGE will continue to monitor programs/locations up until the program’s departure date so program suspensions or cancellations may still come after the program application deadline. It is important that students remain flexible and do not make any large non-refundable purchases, such as flights, until closer to the program’s departure date.

The decision to suspend or cancel programs is one CGE does not take lightly. When making the decision, each individual program is reviewed and evaluated taking into consideration information from the following sources.

  • State Department Travel Advisories
    • UNG generally prohibits UNG students/faculty/staff to travel to countries with a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory in place.
  • CDC Travel Health Notices
  • Information from partner institutions & local contacts
  • Security information from partners and risk management firms
  • Current University System of Georgia travel policy

The decision to suspend or cancel programs will affect ALL program types which include:

  • UNG faculty-led programs
  • UNG Direct Enrollments
  • UNG Reciprocal Exchanges
  • Third Party Provider programs (ISA, CIEE, and ISEP)
  • International Internships

Cancellation and Refunds

  • CGE will make an initial go/no-go determination by the program application deadline. 
  • The only payment due by the application deadline is the program deposit. The deposit minus the administrative fee (around 2%) will be refunded to students in the event of a cancellation.
  • Students participating on UNG-approved programs, sponsored by another organization, are subject to the cancellation and refund policies, if any, of the respective organization. i.e. USG Goes Global (USGG) International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP), Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), and International Studies Abroad (ISA).

Appeals Process for UNG Faculty-Led Programs to Level 3 Countries

UNG faculty-led programs: Program Directors may submit additional information to the Education Abroad Travel Committee if their program country is at a level 3 travel advisory at the time of the application deadline. CGE will reach out to individual program directors with further guidance prior to the program application deadline.

Appeals Process for Student Travel to Level 3 Countries

Students who are participating in an exchange, direct enrollment, or provider program (ISA, ISEP, CIEE, USGG) may request an appeal to a Level 3 Country.

To file an appeal, qualified students should adhere to the instructions provided in the Student Appeals Process (PDF). Submission of an appeal does not guarantee travel approval. The Center for Global Engagement will forward the appeal to the UNG Education Abroad Travel Committee for review and will communicate the committee’s decision to students via email. 

No appeals will be available for Level 4 Countries. If an appeal has been approved for a Level 3 Country and the level increases to a Level 4 the appeal approval may be revoked, and travel cancelled.

For student appeal deadlines, contact the Center for Global Engagement.