COVID-19 Study Abroad Updates and FAQs

• Following advisories from the US Department of State and the CDC advising people to avoid all non-essential travel, Montclair State University instructed all Spring term students abroad to return to the U.S. immediately.
• Montclair State offered assistance in arranging return travel where needed.
• All returning students were instructed on the University’s guidance for self-isolation for returned travelers.
• Most students have access to complete their study abroad programs remotely through their host institutions.
• Montclair State is working with students whose host institutions are not entirely online yet to ensure they can complete the semester.
• Some study abroad host institutions are offering a pass/fail course option. In accordance with Montclair State University’s pass/fail option for the Spring 2020 semester due to the exceptional circumstances around COVID-19, Montclair State will accept transfer credit for spring study abroad courses that appear as “pass” rather than a grade on an overseas transcript. This is only for the Spring 2020 semester.

• The Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Hospitality, Food & Culture in Florence, Italy was cancelled prior to departure. Students received full refunds and an alternate domestic experience was provided through the Feliciano School of Business.
• The Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs in Graz, Austria and Paris, France went as planned and both groups have returned safely to the US.
• Participants in the group programs were instructed on the University’s guidance for self-isolation for returned travelers.

• All summer study abroad programs have been cancelled.
• All students are being refunded their application fees paid to International Engagement  
• International Engagement is working with our affiliated providers to ensure that all students who paid program deposits will receive full refunds.
• Students are encouraged to postpone their study abroad plans to a future term.

• All Montclair State Faculty-Led Study Abroad Summer programs have been cancelled.
• All students are being fully refunded their application fees and any deposits made toward the program costs.

• All Fall term study abroad and study away programs (including fall term of full academic year programs) have been cancelled.
• Applicants who wish to postpone their study abroad/away term may do so by reaching our Study Abroad Advisors.
• All students who applied to a Fall or Academic Year study abroad or study away program will receive a refund of any application fee paid to Montclair State.
• Please allow up to four weeks for your refund to process.
• Students with applications submitted for Fall or Academic Year 2020-2021 should plan to register at Montclair State and secure housing if needed.
• Study Abroad Information Sessions and advising appointments have all been moved to a virtual format. To set up an advising appointment reach us by emailing studyabroad@montclair.edu

In light of the continuing uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and its ongoing impact on public health, travel, and academic instruction, the University is cancelling all outbound international study abroad student programs through the Spring 2021 semester, including:

• Montclair State Outbound Semester Exchange Programs
• Montclair State Affiliated Study Abroad Programs
• Spring Break Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs

• Study Abroad Information Sessions have all been moved to a virtual format.
• Advising appointments for all programs are available via Zoom meeting or by phone.
• International Engagement continues to review applications for Summer 2021 programs.
• Although we are reviewing applications for summer programs, we hope to have final decisions about whether or not spring programs will proceed by early spring.  Please continue to check with International Engagement for updates.
• Applicants who wish to postpone their study abroad term may do so by reaching us at studyabroad@montclair.edu.
• Students with applications pending or submitted for Summer 2021 programs are advised to also plan to be on campus/remote at Montclair State, registering for summer classes and securing housing if needed.
• In case travel continues to be restricted, you will have a plan in place to remain at Montclair State.
• At this time, International Engagement is NOT collecting application fees.  Once it is determined that Summer 2021 programs can run, we will then ask for application fees to be paid.
• Applicants for summer study abroad are advised NOT to put money down on any summer study abroad programs or flights at this time.
• International Engagement has notified our affiliated partners, ISA, CEA, etc. NOT to accept deposits from Montclair State students for spring study abroad programs until it is confirmed that spring study abroad programs will proceed.

• Montclair State is optimistically proceeding with plans and programs for Summer 2021
• The University will provide further guidance on the viability of summer programs in late December or early January, before students make any non-refundable deposits.
• Please check back for updates (last updated October 14, 2020)

• Montclair State welcomes all spring term incoming exchange students
• Based on current University guidance, we expect that students will need to arrive 14 days ahead of the beginning of the semester for quaratine, and students who have reserved housing on campus will be able to move in early for that purpose.
• Classes are being offered in a variety of formats, however most classes are expected to be taught online.  COVID-related information for the University is regularly updated and can be found here: https://www.montclair.edu/redhawk-restart/
• Applicants who wish to postpone their study abroad to a future term may do so by reaching their home institution coordinator and the Montclair State Student Mobility Coordinator at simonw@montclair.edu.

• All incoming international exchanges are cancelled for the Fall 2020 semester
• Students who paid a housing deposit should contact Wendy Gilbert-Simon, Montclair State Student Mobility Coordinator at simonw@montclair.edu.
• Applicants who wish to postpone their study abroad to a future term may do so by reaching their home institution coordinator and the Montclair State Student Mobility Coordinator at simonw@montclair.edu.

The World Health Organization has declared coronavirus or COVID-19 a global pandemic, President Trump has declared a national emergency, the U.S. State Department issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel, and a public health emergency was declared by the Governor in the State of New Jersey. In addition, the CDC has designated many countries as Level 3, and COVID-19 is spreading throughout every continent and country.

In light of these declarations, the University has asked that you not come to campus for a period of 14 days.  This time period begins from the date you arrive in the United States or depart a cruise ship.

It is the CDC’s recommendation that during this 14 day time period you consider taking the following steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:

1. Stay home and avoid contact with others.
2. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
3. Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
4. Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers, dining establishments, gyms, and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
5. Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
6. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
7. Practice good hygiene by avoiding touching surfaces, washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, and covering your cough or sneezes.

If you experience the symptoms of COVID-19 (fever OF 100.4°F/38°C or higher, cough, or have trouble breathing) while you are self-isolating, you should do the following:

1. Seek medical care from your physician or a hospital emergency room,
2. Tell your treating physician about your recent travel and symptoms, and
3. Avoid contact with others. 

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please report your diagnosis to either Patricia Ruiz at ruizp@montclair.edu or coronavirus@montclair.edu. The University is required to report this information to the State and/or local Department of Health.

The University has created a dedicated webpage to provide information to the campus community that is being continually updated as this situation changes. SEE HERE

The webpage provides resources available to support your health and emotional wellbeing, and commonly asked questions by students, faculty and employees.  We encourage you to monitor the webpage to stay informed.

If you have not already done so, please fill out our Spring 2020 Study Abroad Student Info form HERE.  Please enter the name(s) of the course(s) you are having trouble with and also if that course was signed off by a department chair here at Montclair State to satisfy a degree requirement, such as a major/minor or a General Education class.

Yes, your credits will come back to Montclair State as normal, as long as you pass the course with a C- or above.

In accordance with Montclair State University’s pass/fail option for the Spring 2020 semester due to the exceptional circumstances around COVID-19, Montclair State will accept transfer credit for spring study abroad courses that appear as “pass” rather than a grade on an overseas transcript for the Spring 2020 semester only.

Please email studyabroad@montclair.edu or reach the Study Abroad team directly HERE

Please note that you have two options:

1. You can either defer your study abroad application payment to a future term for either the same program or a different program OR
2. You can receive a refund of your application fee.   

All application fee refunds will be processed over the next 2-3 weeks unless our office hears from you that you would like to defer it to a future term. 

Yes, our office has confirmed with both CEA and ISA that students will receive a full refund of any program costs paid at this point.  Please note that this refund will be processed within the next 4-6 weeks.

Please contact our office for assistance at studyabroad@montclair.edu 

All students who applied to Fall 2020 and Academic Year 2020-2021 Study Abroad or Study Away will be issued a refund of any application fee paid to Montclair State.   Please allow up to four weeks for your refund to process.

If you are still interested and able to study abroad/away in a future term, then we recommend deferring your study abroad/away.  Our office will move your application over to the new term and you will pay the application fee.

The Office of International Engagement is preparing a list of alternative options to help you stay internationally connected while also staying safe at home.  Please continually check back on our Virtual Opportunities site over the coming months for more information.

Please log onto your NEST account to ensure that you register for Fall 2020 classes at Montclair State.

The University has created a dedicated webpage to provide information to the campus community that is being continually updated as this situation changes. SEE HERE. The webpage provides resources available to support your health and emotional wellbeing, and commonly asked questions by students, faculty and employees.  We encourage you to monitor the webpage to stay informed.

Please email studyabroad@montclair.edu or reach the Study Abroad team directly HERE