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Announcements : HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATES

Announcement: HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATES

All students, staff and faculty should review the information below before traveling abroad. (Last updated 3/4/2026)
 

Study Abroad Programs & International Trips 

We continue to monitor emerging health and safety issues worldwide and work closely with our international partners and campus experts to facilitate our programs and ensure the availability of health and safety resources for students preparing to or currently traveling abroad.  

Recent military strikes in Iran and subsequent strikes in the eastern Mediterranean and Gulf countries have prompted the U.S. Department of State to issue Worldwide Caution Security Alert. U.S. citizens abroad are directed to follow guidance issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Travelers should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive location-based alerts, and current Cal Poly study abroad students should ensure they have downloaded the AlertTraveler app on their phones, activated their subscription, and adjusted settings to allow for GPS-based alerts. Students can find AlertTraveler instructions in their abroad.calpoly.edu portal. (Note: AlertTraveler access is limited to Cal Poly travelers and cannot be extended to supporters/families.)

At this time, there has been no direct impact to our program locations or host countries, and there is no known immediate threat to our students or staff. Our teams continue to monitor the situation through reliable sources, including international security partners, local authorities, and official government advisories. All programming will continue as scheduled. However, travelers should prepare for possible travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures.

Advice for All Travelers

  • We encourage all travelers to remain informed about travel guidelines from the U.S. Department of State and other entities about travel conditions in the countries to which they are traveling. 
  • All travelers should carefully review the CSU Guidance to Faculty, Students, and Staff Considering International Travel in Spring & Summer 2025.
    • We especially encourage international students and scholars to review the guidance carefully, as these evolving conditions may impact your ability to travel to and from the United States.
    • We are currently moving forward with study abroad programs as usual. We will continue to monitor situations globally that might impact our students studying abroad (and faculty leading programs) and remain in close contact with program providers in country. 
    • We encourage all travelers to remain informed about travel guidelines from the U.S. Department of State and other entities about travel conditions in the countries to which they are traveling. 
  • Cal Poly programs in countries with U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory levels of 1 and  2 are approved to run. Programs in countries listed with level 3 Travel Advisories will be reviewed for health and safety considerations and must receive pre-approval, which is sought by the International Center. Programs in countries with level 4 Travel Advisories are not approved to run. Participation in all programs is contingent upon students meeting eligibility and pre-departure requirements. 
  • Some programs may be suspended or postponed due to country-specific regulations, risk factors, and/or low enrollment. Check specific programs on Cal Poly Abroad for further information. 
  • Trip cancellation insurance (including CFAR—cancel for any reason insurance) and refundable tickets are advisable.  
  • Travelers for all programs should monitor global health and safety situations using the U.S. Department of State and other resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Each student must understand the vaccination requirements or recommendations for entry into the country to which they are traveling, including policies issued by the regional government, program, institution or other entity.
  • Students should also review information available through Campus Health & Wellbeing including the travel clinic: https://chw.calpoly.edu/health/specialty_clinics.
  • ​​All Cal Poly travelers should register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive location-based alerts. Cal Poly students on approved study abroad programs should ensure they have downloaded the AlertTraveler app on their phones. Faculty/Staff travelers should ensure they have downloaded WorldCue, provided through their CSU FTIP insurance, for location-based alerts. This is also available for students insured for their programs mainly through Cal Poly/the CSU. 

Faculty/Staff Traveling with Students 

  • Faculty/staff international travel that includes students is vetted by the International Center. Visit the International Travel section of our website for further information. 
  • Faculty, staff and students traveling on Cal Poly-approved International Group Travel Cal Poly students on approved study abroad programs should ensure they have downloaded the AlertTraveler app on their phones. Travelers should ensure they have downloaded WorldCue, provided through their CSU FTIP insurance, for location-based alerts.

Faculty/Staff Traveling without Students 

  • All faculty/staff travel without students is administered through Concur/PolyTravel (the Strategic Business Services department). 
  • Employees who work solely with Cal Poly Partners should read the travel policy information found on the Cal Poly Partners HR webpages.  
  • Faculty/Staff travelers should ensure they have downloaded WorldCue, provided through their CSU FTIP insurance, for location-based alerts.

Virtual Internship & International Study Opportunities 

  • Students continue to have the option of exploring alternate opportunities for study and interning abroad, including Virtual Study Abroad programs and Virtual International Internships. 
  • ​​​​​​​The International Center offers consultations and resources for faculty interested in integrating Virtual Exchange into their classes. Visit Virtual Exchange Resources for more information.  

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