Winter Break Information

December 22, 2021
By Penn Abroad

The University of Pennsylvania is closed from the end of the day on Thursday, December 23, 2021 through Tuesday, January 4, 2022. The Penn Abroad office will re-open at 9:00 am ET on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Penn Abroad will not be monitoring email or phones during this timeframe. 

Please review the information below, which answers common questions related to upcoming student travel and programming:

Abroad and in need of emergency assistance? For emergencies involving a Penn student abroad or an international exchange student at Penn, please contact Penn Police at +1 215 573 3333.

For Semester Abroad Spring 2022 Students

Committee on Travel Risk Assessment (CTRA) Approval Remains in Place
As of December 23, 2021, the University of Pennsylvania is not rescinding CTRA approval for any spring 2022 study abroad programs. While Penn Abroad is not expecting approval for any programs approved for Spring 2022 to be rescinded due to the Omicron variant, should the Committee on Travel Risk Assessment (CTRA) do so during the University winter holiday, Penn Abroad will reach out directly to affected students.

It is your responsibility to monitor any developments related to your abroad program. If your host institution or program abroad cancels the program or changes to an entirely online format prior to the program start, you must withdraw from your abroad program and remain at Penn for the Spring 2022 term. Should this be the case, Penn Abroad will work with you after Penn reopens on January 5.

COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Requirements
It is your responsibility to meet the COVID-19 entry requirements to your host location in time for the start of your abroad program. This includes proof of negative COVID test results, if applicable. If you are unable to meet those entry requirements, you must withdraw from your abroad program and remain at Penn for the Spring 2022 term. Beyond meeting COVID-19 testing requirements, some program locations may have delays in issuing student visas or may impose border closures, so it is important you pay close attention over winter break to ensure you are up to date with the latest restrictions and requirements. The most current arrival and quarantine information is available on the ISOS Travel Restrictions, Flight Operations, and Screening website. Login using Penn’s ISOS Member ID: 11BSGC000012.

COVID-19 Booster Shot Requirement
Based on Penn’s latest advice from December 21 that all Penn community members, including undergraduate students, must have their COVID-19 booster shot by January 31, you are required to get the booster either prior to departure or within 30 days of becoming eligible for the booster. Access to a booster shot in your program location may be restricted, and in some instances, some countries may redefine what fully vaccinated means, which could include a third shot if you received either Moderna or Pfizer, or a second shot if you received Johnson & Johnson.

Spring 2022 Program Withdrawal
Based on your own risk tolerance and the evolving situation in your host program location, should you wish to withdraw from your abroad program and remain at Penn during the spring semester, you may. Study Abroad is not required by Penn, and while Penn will support all students embarking on a study abroad experience, students are able to decide to withdraw at this time.

Should you either be forced to withdraw or choose to withdraw over the winter break period, you can begin the withdrawal process on your own within PASSPORT, and Penn Abroad will follow up with you on our return on January 5, 2022. Please follow the steps below to complete your withdrawal from your semester abroad program:

  • Email both your Global Programs Manager AND Home School Academic Advisor for Study Abroad to notify them of your withdrawal.

  • Drop the study abroad placeholder course in Penn in Touch and register for classes at Penn for the spring 2022 term.

  • Prepare for your return to campus by coordinating living logistics such as housing and dining.

  • Email your abroad program directly to notify them of your withdrawal. Follow any relevant steps to process the withdrawal as outlined by your abroad program.

Please note that Penn Abroad and all other University offices, including the undergraduate schools, are closed from the end of the day on December 23, 2021 until January 5, 2022.

Financial Policies Due to Withdrawal

  1. If your program cancels or moves to a fully online delivery and you are forced to withdraw due to Penn policy, students will not be financially responsible for any tuition or program fees. Penn Abroad will work with you and your program abroad upon reopening after winter break.

  2. If you choose to withdraw at any point prior to the period that you can return to Penn for the spring term (last date to add courses is January 25, 2022), Penn Abroad will work with you directly upon reopening after winter break.

  3. Please note that regardless of reason for withdrawal, you may be responsible for non-recoverable costs (i.e. housing deposits, flight).

For Exchange at Penn Spring 2022 Students

As of December 23, 2021, the University of Pennsylvania has confirmed that the spring 2022 term will begin in a virtual format until January 23, 2022.  This means that the exchange student orientation on January 10 and 11, 2022 will be held virtually. Details on the virtual orientation will be shared with incoming exchange students after the University of Pennsylvania reopens on January 5, 2022.

  • Monitor your Penn email regularly for any updates to this information.

  • It is the student’s responsibility to meet the COVID-19 entry requirements to the United States. If the student is unable to meet those entry requirements, they should contact Penn Abroad at exchangestudents@upenn.edu to assess the situation. The student may need to withdraw from Penn’s exchange program and remain at their home institution.

If you are writing to withdraw from your upcoming exchange term, please note the following:

  • Penn Abroad is closed from the end of the day on December 23 through January 5. o You can email your written withdrawal request to exchangestudents@upenn.edu.

  • Penn Abroad will process your withdrawal (including notifying housing and dining) and follow-up with you following our return on January 5, 2022. · If you have additional questions about spring 2022 at Penn, please review our Incoming Exchange Students FAQ.

For Penn Global Seminars Galapagos Fall 2021 Students

As of December 23, 2021, the University of Pennsylvania is not rescinding CTRA approval PGS Galápagos. While Penn Abroad is not expecting the program to be rescinded due to the Omicron variant, should the Committee on Travel Risk Assessment (CTRA) do so during the University winter holiday, Penn Abroad will reach out directly to affected students.

  • If you test positive for COVID-19 prior to the departure date for this course, please email the PGS team (pgs-abroad@upenn.edu)as soon as possible.

  • If you receive a red PennOpen Pass, please be in contact with Student Health Services immediately and contact the PGS team (pgs-abroad@upenn.edu)

  • If you are experiencing a delay or cancellation to your flight to Philadelphia prior to the departure date, please contact the PGS team (pgs-abroad@upenn.edu)

All other PGS-related inquiries will be responded to once Penn Abroad opens on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

For Global Research and Internship Abroad Students

If you are a GRIP applicant or have questions about an internship or research abroad program, please email intern-abroad@upenn.ed

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