Dear Colleagues, Partners and Students,

With COVID-19 vaccination rates and travel policies continuing to evolve around the world, we are writing to share updates about Brown’s study abroad program plans for the Fall 2021 semester. Following extensive health, safety and academic reviews, Brown plans to resume the following portfolio of Brown Global, Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA), and third-party programs for Fall 2021:

• Barbados (University of West Indies)

• Czech Republic (CET Prague) 

• Denmark (DIS Copenhagen)

• France (Brown in Paris)

• Ireland (CASA Dublin)

• Italy (Brown in Bologna)

• Netherlands (CIEE Amsterdam)

• South Korea (CIEE Seoul)

• Spain (CASA Barcelona and CASA Granada)

• United Kingdom (Goldsmiths, King's College London, LSE, Oxford, SOAS, St Andrews, UCL)

While other study abroad programs will remain suspended this fall — due to public health conditions in their locations, travel restrictions, or other factors — we are pleased to be able to resume this significant number of programs.  

Program Review Process & Resumption Policies

After careful consideration informed by guidance from the Brown Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee, the University has determined that confirmed student participants on the select programs listed above will be eligible to study abroad in Fall 2021. This decision is informed by our prevailing commitment to health and safety while considering guidance from U.S. agencies, in-country health conditions and public health experts. In addition, the resumption of these programs is based on readiness plans of each program, including housing, on-site staffing and partner universities’ protocols. 

As we work to ensure student access to global learning opportunities, we will continue to prioritize and be guided by our commitment to health and safety. Consistent with Brown’s policy requiring COVID-19 vaccines for all students engaged in any level of in-person instruction, all students studying abroad this fall must be fully vaccinated by July 15; medical and religious exemptions to this requirement will be granted, and reasonable accommodations provided under applicable law. In addition, as in a typical year, study abroad participants will need to complete all required pre-departure paperwork, including acknowledgements and waiver and release forms, in order to participate in their program. 

As you know, vaccination rates, international travel policies, and restrictions on daily activities continue to evolve around the world. Therefore, the University will continue to closely monitor public health conditions and may need to make program updates later this summer. Given the need to remain flexible, we will endeavor to communicate any and all changes with students as they arise. 

Student Next Steps & Program-Specific Information Forthcoming

We recognize that you may have questions as you plan for the fall semester. Brown students on programs that will remain suspended this fall will receive follow-up today from their Brown study abroad advisor. Confirmed students on the programs listed above will also receive an email from their Brown study abroad advisor this afternoon with further information about required documentation, vaccine guidance, and travel and visa arrangements for your specific program. 

Please note that the structure of your study abroad program may have undergone significant changes since you applied. Academic, housing and cultural activity offerings may continue to be adapted based on the local public health guidance. Be sure to carefully review updated program details as you receive them, and to contact the staff at your specific program site should you have questions. In addition, we will post a general set of Fall 2021 Study Abroad FAQs this afternoon, and later this week, we will update this website with links to program-specific FAQs for Brown and CASA programs. In the interim, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of International Programs (oip@brown.edu) with any questions you might have.

Sincerely,

Asabe Poloma, Assistant Provost for Global Engagement
Rashid Zia, Dean of the College