General GO and COVID-19 FAQ
General GO Information Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Return to the main GO Response to COVID-19 page
Return to the main GO Response to COVID-19 page
How does Susquehanna make decisions about its study abroad programs?
As part of normal protocol, we continuously review information from the U.S. Department of State, Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Risk Management and Security Advisors, news accounts, and our local partners in all countries where our students travel. GO staff receives real-time updates regarding health and safety within the countries where we send students. We also are in at least weekly contact with our in-country partners.
Who will GO contact with updates?
The GO office will directly contact students with updates. We expect that students will share any updates with their parents, families, and supporters.
What are Department of State “advisory levels”?
The US Department of State issues international travel advisories. Travel Advisories apply up to four standard levels of advice, describe the risks, and provide clear actions U.S. citizens should take to help ensure their safety.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
Level 4 - Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
Consistent with University policy, regardless of the basis for the restriction, university-related travel is not permitted to areas with U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Level 4 Travel Advisories. To see a complete list of Travel Advisories for every country in the world, see Travel Advisories.
As of June 2021, the US Department of State is reviewing and updating the advisory levels weekly.
Is GO still a requirement for students to graduate?
Yes. It is important to note that GO is a cross-cultural requirement, not a travel requirement.
At its heart, GO is a graduation requirement based on working toward a set of specific learning goals and reflection on that work. Traditionally that has included the requirement of a cultural immersion experience for at least two weeks and coursework on campus before and after travel.
In the past, the GO office has accommodated students when obstacles made it challenging for them to participate in a traditional GO program. We have used the same approach when working through concerns caused by coronavirus. We are happy to talk with students about how they can complete the Cross-Cultural Requirement if they are worried about travel due to coronavirus. They can set up a time to talk by sending an e-mail (goprogram@susqu.edu).
What would happen if the GO program I was signed up for was suspended?
Information about each program will be directly communicated with students accepted into the specific GO program. If your program is still scheduled - check out our FAQ specific for upcoming travel. For archived messages sent to students - check out our message archive.
Does Susquehanna have any recommendations for students traveling independently from a GO program?
The Susquehanna community is asked to register any non-GO travel (http://go.susqu.edu). We strongly recommend that everyone reconsider even personal travel to any country with an advisory Level 4. Students should also register their travel with the Department of State which would enroll them in updates to the advisory levels in addition to visiting the Department of State and CDC websites.
Students who are traveling, including domestically, should pay attention to local guidance and restrictions (including self-isolation), take recommended measures to prevent illness, and be prepared for potential travel disruptions
Who can I contact about GO and the coronavirus situation?
Please contact the GO office at goprogram@susqu.edu with questions.
Return to the main GO Response to COVID-19 page
Last updated: 2/25/2021, Reviewed for accuracy on 1/20/2023
As part of normal protocol, we continuously review information from the U.S. Department of State, Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Risk Management and Security Advisors, news accounts, and our local partners in all countries where our students travel. GO staff receives real-time updates regarding health and safety within the countries where we send students. We also are in at least weekly contact with our in-country partners.
Who will GO contact with updates?
The GO office will directly contact students with updates. We expect that students will share any updates with their parents, families, and supporters.
What are Department of State “advisory levels”?
The US Department of State issues international travel advisories. Travel Advisories apply up to four standard levels of advice, describe the risks, and provide clear actions U.S. citizens should take to help ensure their safety.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
Level 4 - Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
Consistent with University policy, regardless of the basis for the restriction, university-related travel is not permitted to areas with U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Level 4 Travel Advisories. To see a complete list of Travel Advisories for every country in the world, see Travel Advisories.
As of June 2021, the US Department of State is reviewing and updating the advisory levels weekly.
Is GO still a requirement for students to graduate?
Yes. It is important to note that GO is a cross-cultural requirement, not a travel requirement.
At its heart, GO is a graduation requirement based on working toward a set of specific learning goals and reflection on that work. Traditionally that has included the requirement of a cultural immersion experience for at least two weeks and coursework on campus before and after travel.
In the past, the GO office has accommodated students when obstacles made it challenging for them to participate in a traditional GO program. We have used the same approach when working through concerns caused by coronavirus. We are happy to talk with students about how they can complete the Cross-Cultural Requirement if they are worried about travel due to coronavirus. They can set up a time to talk by sending an e-mail (goprogram@susqu.edu).
What would happen if the GO program I was signed up for was suspended?
Information about each program will be directly communicated with students accepted into the specific GO program. If your program is still scheduled - check out our FAQ specific for upcoming travel. For archived messages sent to students - check out our message archive.
Does Susquehanna have any recommendations for students traveling independently from a GO program?
The Susquehanna community is asked to register any non-GO travel (http://go.susqu.edu). We strongly recommend that everyone reconsider even personal travel to any country with an advisory Level 4. Students should also register their travel with the Department of State which would enroll them in updates to the advisory levels in addition to visiting the Department of State and CDC websites.
Students who are traveling, including domestically, should pay attention to local guidance and restrictions (including self-isolation), take recommended measures to prevent illness, and be prepared for potential travel disruptions
Who can I contact about GO and the coronavirus situation?
Please contact the GO office at goprogram@susqu.edu with questions.
Return to the main GO Response to COVID-19 page
Last updated: 2/25/2021, Reviewed for accuracy on 1/20/2023