Study abroad programs cancelled through Summer 2021

In light of VCU’s current suspension of study abroad programs and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, VCU has decided to cancel all summer 2021 education abroad programs. This applies to all education abroad program types including, but not limited to, faculty-led, exchanges, direct-enroll, third party provider, independent study, internships, service-learning, and non-credit-bearing education abroad; this includes programs facilitated by GEO as well as those administered by other units.

Exceptions will be considered for students traveling to U.S. Department of State Level 1 or 2 countries for whom education abroad is deemed essential to fulfilling academic degree requirements and/or whose participation is sponsored by nationally-competitive awards. Petitions for exceptions will be coordinated and reviewed by GEO. GEO will route the petition for exception to the student’s department chair, the dean, and the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs or the senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of VCU Health System. Students should work with GEO to petition for an exception and register their travel if approved.

VCU will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, U.S. Department of State and Virginia Department of Health, as well as the destinations’ offices of foreign affairs and ministries of health to make recommendations regarding VCU’s programs abroad. In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore virtual global learning program options and visit the Keep on Studying Abroad website for ways they can maintain momentum in planning their study abroad experience.