The health, safety, and well-being of our students is ISEP’s number one priority. Due to the recent recommendation made by the United States Center for Disease Control that travelers cancel all nonessential travel to South Korea due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, it is under careful consideration that ISEP has decided to suspend all in-person program activities at each of our member institutions in South Korea for the spring 2020 semester, including:
- Ajou University
- Ewha Womens University
- Hanyang University
- Keimyung University
- Korea University
- University of Seoul
- Yonsei University
In following with our ISEP Health, Safety, and Emergency protocols, ISEP has communicated this decision to students enrolled on these programs and their home institution coordinators.
We are working directly with both current student participants and home university coordinators with details regarding logistical next steps to ensure a quick and safe departure from South Korea. Over the coming days, we will provide additional information on possible academic opportunities, including programs that remain open for spring 2020 and possible online coursework. ISEP will work to partner with member institutions to find solutions for all students affected by this decision.
As always, we recommend following our website and #ISEPAlerts on the @ISEPstudyAbroad Twitter feed for real time updates regarding health and safety situations that may impact ISEP participants.
We will continue to monitor the situation as it relates to COVID-19 throughout our network and will communicate proactively with our students and coordinators when appropriate.
The nature of COVID-19 does merit additional precautions for travelers globally. Many countries have implemented health screening procedures, and some have advised travelers to request a clean bill of health from a medical professional and take this document when travelling internationally.
Students may experience closings of public offices and administration, cancellations of large gatherings, and precautionary measures during travel. We encourage all students traveling to follow the health and safety guidelines of the WHO.
The WHO currently offers the following advice:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
- If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
- When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals
- The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices ISEP is committed to making student safety our top priority and we urge students to follow all ISEP Emergency and Safety Protocols in addition to the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and local medical authorities.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or concerns.