COVID-19

Due to the elevated health risk posed by COVID-19, homestays were suspended in most SIT locations during the pandemic. As global vaccination rates continue to increase, some graduate programs have reintroduced homestays with these conditions:

• Key COVID-19 indicators are not at elevated levels (e.g. case numbers, vaccination rate, hospitalizations, and hospital capacity)

• In most cases, students in homestays are placed in single rooms. However, in locations where accommodation resources are more limited and may not allow for single rooms, students might be placed in a shared room with the standard homestay safety protocols in place.

To the extent possible, in places where these conditions cannot be met or in locations where risk has increased after students have entered the homestay and the homestay is considered unsafe, SIT will utilize alternative accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, apartments or other viable and safe options available in the program country.

SIT defines an “international excursion” as a student educational trip planned and led by SIT outside of the program host country.

Due to the elevated health risk posed by COVID-19, international excursions were suspended in most SIT locations during the pandemic. However, as vaccination rates continue to increase globally, more countries are opening borders and easing entry requirements for international travelers.  

SIT has resumed international excursions under the following conditions:

• Key COVID-19 indicators in the excursion country are not at elevated levels (e.g. case numbers, vaccination rate, hospitalizations, and hospital capacity). 

• There are no prohibitive entry requirements for the excursion location (e.g. borders are open, testing is readily available, and there is not a long quarantine requirement).  

• There are no prohibitive movement restrictions in place within the host country (e.g. limited mobility allowed that would prevent program activities from occurring).

In places where these conditions cannot be met, SIT will replace the international excursion with in-country excursions that have similar learning outcomes.

Independent travel is defined as travel that is not part of an SIT program or activity and/or is undertaken by a student on their own. Independent travel also includes any student travel during free time, and during research and practicum phases. Students are responsible for their own welfare and well-being during independent travel. When engaging in independent travel during a global master’s program, students must  inform their degree chair and onsite staff of their plans and itinerary in advance of travel.

Based on evolving conditions of the pandemic including higher vaccination rates, increased protection with many individuals from previous infections, lower rates of serious illness associated with positive cases, and the removal of vaccine mandates in most SIT locations, SIT no longer requires vaccination to participate on programs except for locations where host country governments require it.

However, we strongly encourage students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 per CDC recommendations. SIT continues to closely monitor COVID-19 conditions in each program location and will advise students on any location-specific COVID-19 requirements and regulations prior to and during their program.

The CDC recommends wearing a well-fitted mask to help prevent severe illness and reduce the potential for strain on healthcare systems. SIT requires all participants, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask anywhere required by host country laws or in locations where SIT staff and partners on the ground determine it is necessary to mask based on conditions at the time.

SIT recognizes that COVID-19 prevalence varies from one location to another and conditions, while improved in many places, are still very fluid. SIT will outline the masking protocols for each location in the location-specific risk management plans developed prior to each term and will adjust protocols at any point if local government regulations change or conditions warrant it.

The following testing protocols are based on CDC recommendations.

Before Departure to Host Country

Covid testing of students after arrival to the program country, as well as any international excursion locations, is no longer required. However, testing may be used in locations where health conditions warrant it at the time of travel. If testing is conducted based on SIT’s assessment, SIT will arrange and fund the testing.

Please note that certain host countries may have additional testing requirements that are not detailed here, such as testing immediately upon arrival or pre-departure testing for all travelers regardless of vaccination status. In these instances, students are expected to pay for the testing required by host countries.

Traveling on public transportation, including planes, increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 as it puts travelers in close contact with each other, often for prolonged periods of time, and exposes them to frequently touched surfaces. While the CDC no longer requires wearing masks on public transport, SIT strongly recommends that students mask while traveling to their host country and while on any form of public transport in their host country, regardless of local masking protocols. This will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and help protect the local communities in which students are immersed abroad.

Some SIT programs may organize private transport, such as vans or buses, for student groups to travel between program activities. In turn, SIT staff and partners on the ground will determine if it is necessary for students to mask based on local conditions at the time.

Regardless of vaccination status or previous infection, students who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 must wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the “date of last close contact” (the date of last close contact is considered day 0) and should get tested at least 5 days after the date of last close contact. In turn, if students test positive or develop COVID-19 symptoms, they should follow the recommendations in the section below.

If a person tests positive and/or is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, SIT will follow CDC guidelines and any host country requirements to care for the individual and conduct appropriate contact tracing. All our program locations have capacity to treat Covid-19 patients.