Office of Study Abroad

Students are permitted to study abroad in the fall 2021 semester if they applied during the application process. We work closely with our international partners who are assessing on-the-ground conditions and the ability to run programs around the world. We will continue to work closely with them and monitor international health orgnaizations and guidelines throughout the fall semester.

Yes, Brandeis University will require all students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the start of the fall 2021 semester except those who receive a religious or medical exemption.

If you are no longer comfortable studying abroad, please contact an Office of Staff member as soon as possible at 781-736-3483. We can talk through all options available to students. Students can still begin Brandeis courses as long as they register within the first 2 weeks of classes, but on-campus housing may not be possible.

The Office of Study Abroad will continue to work with our international partners to monitor health and safety conditions abroad. We encourage students to connect with their program directly to learn about plans should students need to return home from abroad, including course and credit options, financial reimbursement, and overall logistics.

With the resumption of study abroad programs during summer and fall 2021, we anticipate that study abroad programs will run in spring 2022. Specific program availability will likely continue to vary based on local regulations, availability of flights, and program status. For students approved by Brandeis to study abroad in spring 2022, they should complete their program application by September 1, 2021. If students have any concerns about their program running in spring 2021, please be in touch with an Office of Study Abroad staff member and we are happy to discuss options.

We understand that a number of factors may impact your decision to study abroad now or in the future. Concerns about travel restrictions, visa policies, distance from home, or health status of yourself or a loved one may have an impact on your willingness to study abroad. Students who have been accepted to study abroad in spring 2022 must decide by the Notification Deadline of October 21, 2021 and will not incur non-recoverable costs until after that date. If you have questions or would like to discuss your options further, please schedule time to speak with a Study Abroad Advisor. Click here to schedule an appointment.

You remain a Brandeis student while studying abroad and any student whose study abroad plans are disrupted by the pandemic or who decides not to study abroad prior to the start of the spring 2022 semester will be able to take Brandeis courses. Depending on the timing and circumstances of your decision to withdraw, there may be non-recoverable costs incurred and students may be on a housing waitlist for on-campus housing. We encourage you to be in regular contact with your Study Abroad Advisor to ensure that you are aware of the deadlines to withdraw from your program.

Students who are approved to study abroad on Approved Affiliate Programs are encourage to speak with their program directly regarding logistical questions surrounding arrival. The Office of Study Abroad recommends waiting as long as possible before making any non-refundable payments such as paying for a visa or purchasing a flight because those expenses may not be recoverable should there be a change in circumstances in your host country. Please contact a Study Abroad Advisor if you have a question about your specific situation.

The application deadline for fall 2021 and spring 2022 study abroad programs was on March 4, 2021, as it is every year at Brandeis. Students interested in studying abroad in the future are encouraged to consider studying abroad during summer or fall 2022.