Dear Student,

As outlined in several previous communications, all students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine and upload their proof of vaccination to the Wellness Center’s Patient Portal. Due to the increased risk associated with travel and evolving entry requirements and quarantine protocols, the college is requiring the COVID-19 vaccine of all students who intend to study abroad and travel during January 2022 as part of a travel/study or independent Interim project, with no exceptions. We are optimistic about the possibility of returning to Interim travel/study in 2022 and believe that reaching 100% vaccine compliance will better ensure these programs’ success with little to no disruption.

We recognize that ensuring our participants are vaccinated, in addition to following CDC recommendations before, during and after traveling, is only part of the equation we must consider when evaluating the viability of off-campus programs. Each country has individual requirements and expectations around testing, vaccines, quarantine and isolation, mask-wearing and other protocols. Some hotels and venues (such as museums, theaters, etc.) may require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations may also eliminate the need for quarantine upon arrival and help mitigate the strain on local health care infrastructure. Finally, it is important to note that rules can change without warning, and we believe these requirements must be followed closely by each participant to mitigate delays, disruptions or dismissals.

Submit Documentation

Students are expected to submit their vaccine records via the Wellness Center’s portal on myWofford. Click here to access the “upload” option directly. You may upload a photo or scan of your vaccine card. You must upload your complete vaccine record no later than Friday, Oct. 1. To ensure 100% compliance, those who do not upload their vaccine record by Friday, Oct. 1 will be subsequently withdrawn from their Interim program. Please contact the Office of International Programs if you have any concerns or questions about this deadline.

Plan ahead

We encourage you to plan accordingly to ensure you can complete your series of two shots before departure (the Moderna vaccine requires two shots four weeks apart, while the Pfizer-BioNTech requires two shots three weeks apart). Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine requires only one shot. Please click here for more information, including an update about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Note: Failure to carry proof of vaccine with you during your Interim travels could lead to disruptions that may result in your dismissal from the program. Such disruptions may include, but are not limited to, difficulty arriving at your destination or a mandatory quarantine at government-sanctioned accommodations at your own expense.

The Office of International Programs, together with our partners overseas, continues to monitor and evaluate the conditions in each location. We encourage you to stay informed about COVID-19 and other health and safety concerns related to your destination. Below are a few links you may find helpful.

For more information, contact the Office of International Programs, internationalprograms@wofford.edu.