CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (UPDATED AS OF February 19, 2021)
Due to ongoing COVID-19 developments, along with education and travel restrictions, most TEAN Summer 2021 programs have been canceled. We have also cancelled all New Zealand Fiji and most Australia Fall 2021 programs. We have reached out to enrolled students to discuss alternative options, including deferring to later programs or receiving a full refund of paid program fees.
Please check the FAQ section above for a list of of Summer and Fall 2021 programs still accepting applications.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (UPDATED AS OF September 3, 2020)
Due to ongoing COVID-19 developments, along with education and travel restrictions, all TEAN Winter 2021 programs have been canceled. We have reached out to enrolled students to discuss alternative options, including deferring to later programs or receiving a full refund of paid program fees.
We are accepting applications for Spring and Summer 2021 programs.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (UPDATED AS OF JULY 8, 2020)
Due to ongoing COVID-19 developments, along with education and travel restrictions, we have decided to cancel all TEAN Fall 2020 programs, including programs starting August and September. We have reached out to enrolled students to discuss alternative options, including deferring to later programs or receiving a full refund of paid program fees.
Students can look into participating in TEAN’s new Global Remote Internship for Fall 2020 as well as look ahead to Spring and Summer 2021 programs.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (UPDATED AS OF MAY 6, 2020)
TEAN continues to track developments related to COVID-19 and its impact on future programs. In light of current conditions, we have made the decision to cancel all TEAN Fall 2020 programs with June and July start dates. This includes all New Zealand, Fiji and Australia programs starting in July. TEAN has reached out to enrolled students to discuss alternative options, including deferring to later programs or receiving a full refund of paid program fees.
TEAN is in regular communication with our host university partners abroad as we assess future Fall programs with start dates that begin August 2020 and later.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of April 5, 2020)
As we continue to assess the ongoing COVID-19 developments here and abroad, TEAN has made the very difficult decision to cancel all TEAN Summer 2020 programs. TEAN has reached out to enrolled Summer 2020 students to discuss alternative options, including deferring to later programs or receiving a full refund of paid program fees.
At this time TEAN is not canceling any Fall programs. TEAN is in regular communication with our host university partners who are working on adjusting deadlines and start dates for Fall programs to allow more time for decision making. TEAN will continue to monitor the fast-moving developments related to COVID-19 and provide significant updates to students, their parents, and our U.S. partner institutions as we look forward to hosting students on future programs.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of March 19, 2020)
On March 19th, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) raised their Global Health Advisory to Level 4: Do Not Travel. In the update, the DOS advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, U.S. citizens abroad are urged to arrange for an immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
At this time, all TEAN programs worldwide have been suspended and students advised to return home. Many TEAN students have already departed their program location; and those who have not yet arranged travel back to the U.S. have been notified of the update to the DOS advisory level. TEAN is working to support students still on-site in making their final transportation arrangements and is liaising with host institutions abroad regarding student academics.
TEAN continues to monitor developments related to COVID-19 and will provide significant updates to students, their parents, and our U.S. partner institutions.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of March 18, 2020)
Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
On the morning of March 18th, TEAN communicated with students, parents, and home university advisors the decision to suspend all programs in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. TEAN resident staff in these countries are closely supporting students as they arrange transportation to the U.S. Affected students will continue to have access to TEAN resident staff, housing and insurance while they actively make preparations to depart.
TEAN continues to be in contact with all host institutions in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore to discuss academic options available to complete their coursework remotely or online. Once those details are finalized, TEAN will be in direct communication with students and recommends students continue to communicate directly with their professors.
Though TEAN has now suspended all Spring 2020 programs, we continue to monitor fast-moving developments related to COVID-19 and will continue to provide significant updates to students, their parents, and our U.S. partner institutions as we look forward to hosting students on future programs.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of March 16, 2020)
Vietnam and Thailand
As of March 15th, in addition to previously suspended TEAN programs in China and South Korea, TEAN has made the difficult decision to also suspend TEAN programs in Thailand and Vietnam. TEAN staff have communicated with all TEAN students and have been assisting them in their prompt return to the U.S. Although their semesters have been suspended, TEAN support (e.g. access to resident staff, housing, insurance) will still be available to students while they actively make plans to return home.
TEAN is in contact with all host institutions to discuss the academic options available for students to complete their coursework from a distance. We will continue to communicate with students and our university partners regarding these options.
TEAN continues to monitor fast-moving developments related to COVID-19 and will provide any significant update to students, their parents, and our U.S. partner institutions as necessary.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of March 10, 2020)
China
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory for China remains at a Level 4, advising U.S. citizens to not travel to China at this time. Due to the continuous rapid spread of COVID-19, our Health & Safety team has made the decision to cancel our Summer in Shanghai program to Fudan University.
TEAN staff are in contact with students who had applied to this program to discuss alternative options or deferring to a future term. Students who decide to not proceed with any alternative program are being issued full refunds of any fees paid.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of March 3, 2020)
We are closely following COVID-19 developments and have reviewed the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recent public statement regarding students traveling abroad to study.
After carefully considering the message and reviewing additional guidance from organizations like PULSE and the Forum on Education Abroad, TEAN (along with WorldStrides and other organizations that are part of the WorldStrides family) is not suspending any current programs, with the exception of previously suspended programs in South Korea and China.
The health and well-being of our students and staff are of utmost importance. We’re continuing to monitor all program locations regarding the spread of COVID-19 daily and are working closely with staff both in the U.S. and on the ground in host countries to communicate any additional guidelines that are developed in conjunction with our medical director. Should a situation change within a program host country, we have processes in place to respond quickly and will directly communicate with students on our programs, their emergency contacts and their home institutions.
In the meantime, TEAN will support program participants following the guidance of their home university, as each institution has its own policies during this time.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (Updated as of Feb 28, 2020)
In December 2019, a viral pneumonia outbreak was reported in Wuhan, in the Hubei Province of central China. Authorities identified the virus as a novel (new) coronavirus, which was later named COVID-19. Although initially contained to mainland China with most cases concentrated in Hubei Province, there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19 in other countries, including the U.S. On January 30th, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This announcement allowed WHO to coordinate international efforts and resources in combating the spread of the virus.
TEAN is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and adjusting student programs as necessary. TEAN’s Spring 2020 programs in China and South Korea have been cancelled. (See country specific information below.) TEAN has been communicating with all Spring 2020 China and South Korea program students, their emergency contacts, and home institutions to work together and provide the best possible outcome for each student in this situation.
TEAN’s Spring programs in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand are currently running as planned. TEAN resident staff in these locations are advising students on best practices to stay healthy while abroad and providing guidance on independent travel.
This page will be updated with new information and announcements as necessary. If you have any questions, please contact us at 312-239-3710.
CHINA
On January 27th, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Travel Notice for Mainland China to a Level 3 and recommended that all travelers avoid nonessential travel to the country. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) raised its Travel Advisory for China to a Level 4: Do Not Travel and recommended that U.S. citizens not travel to Mainland China at this time.
For these reasons, TEAN cancelled the Shanghai program for Spring 2020. Students had not yet departed for their Spring semester and TEAN staff worked with students on alternative program options. Students who had been planning on attending this program are receiving full refunds.
SOUTH KOREA
Beginning February 21st, a new cluster of COVID-19 cases was identified in South Korea. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there was sustained community spread occurring, particularly in the areas of Daegu and Cheongdo (approximately 145 miles southeast of Seoul). On February 24th, the CDC raised their Travel Notice for South Korea to a Warning Level 3, advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to South Korea.
In light of these developments, TEAN canceled all Spring 2020 programs in South Korea. TEAN staff communicated with all South Korea program students regarding the cancelation of their program and assisted students with returning to the U.S., as well as provided information about alternative program options. TEAN is issuing students full refunds for their semester program fee.