The Chancellor and Provost have made the difficult decision to extend the suspension of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign study abroad through January 15, 2021. This decision applies to Fall 2020 and Academic Year 2020-21 programs and includes all program types (exchange, direct enroll, provider programs, faculty-led, and study abroad by petition). This decision also applies to Fall and AY inbound exchange students from partner institutions. Study abroad departing after January 15 will evaluated in August or September.
The University will not permit any waivers or exceptions for fall 2020 study abroad, including for those programs with delayed start dates in September or October. Participants choosing to study abroad will have no University connection or support, including access to study abroad options through the University, international insurance, and pre-articulation of course credit.
The University understands that this decision has wide-ranging implications for students, academic departments, study abroad offices, and our partners. Though this decision may feel premature in a rapidly changing environment, leadership is making the decision now to support fiscal prudence for our students and the University, provide academic predictability and planning, acknowledge the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and international responses, and account for other unanticipated effects from the pandemic.
Study abroad offices will be disseminating this information to students that have already applied for Fall 2020 and Academic Year 2020-21 programs.
