FIE continues to actively and closely monitor the imact of COVID-19 across all locations in which we deliver programs. We will modify plans and adjust policy and procedure based on updated public health guidance. The following FIE policies represent what is current as of September 2023 and applies to all 2024/25 programs.
Vaccinations
Does FIE require participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
FIE strongly recommends but does not require that students are fully vaccinated in order to participate in a FIE program.
This guidance is in alignment with UK, Irish and Spanish governments and health authorities, with COVID vaccination no longer an immigration entry requirement. However, being vaccinated continues to be encouraged, is in the interests of both the individual and community health and wellbeing, and therefore remains strongly recommended by FIE.
FIE recommends but does not require boosters, a position mirrored by the government/public health authorities in England, Ireland and Spain.
Airlines or sending institutions may have other requirements. Other countries continue to evaluate their own entry requirements for travelers, and industries and service providers create their own policies.
Please keep yourself updated on the policies for your study abroad destination as well as any other locations you plan to visit.
Should I bring proof of vaccination?
It is recommended that students, visiting faculty, and site staff should travel with their proof of vaccination documents.
Other countries may require proof of vaccination as part of their entry requirements, and airlines and other independent service providers may also require proof of vaccination. You are responsible for researching and adhering to the proof of vaccination requirements for any personal travel or activity.
Do I need to inform FIE of my vaccination status?
FIE has deemed it operationally prudent to request that students provide their vaccination status in advance of their study abroad program start date as part of the application process. However this information will not be used as part of the application and acceptance procedure, and will only be retained on file to support health and safety procedures.
Pre-Arrival
How will FIE prepare students for their on-site arrival?
FIE will provide pre-arrival email communications to students to support them arriving healthy and informed. FIE staff are available to answer questions about COVID-19 and any related information.
We will advise students not to travel if they’re sick and/or feeling symptomatic.
FIE will communicate any changes to UK, Irish or Spanish regulations or guidance to students, both in advance of their arrival to their host countries and throughout their program abroad.
What are the testing and entry requirements prior to and after arrival to my study abroad destination?
UK
Guidance for travelers entering England
There are no COVID-19 entry restrictions in the UK for students arriving from the United States.
You do not need to take a test when you arrive in the UK from any other country. Other countries may have rules about what you need to do to leave the country to travel to the UK. You should check travel advice for the country you are traveling from.
Policies around COVID-19 related actions and safety, including those of the UK government, NHS, FIE, or another authority, may be in place and are subject to change.
IRELAND
Guidance for travellers entering Ireland
There are no COVID-19 entry restrictions in Ireland for students arriving from the United States.
You do not need to take a test when you arrive in Ireland from any other country. Other countries may have rules about what you need to do to leave the country to travel to Ireland. You should check travel advice for the country you are traveling from.
Any individual that develops COVID-19 symptoms while in Ireland should follow the HSE guidance in relation to isolation and testing, as appropriate.
SPAIN
Guidance for travellers entering Spain
There are no COVID-19 entry restrictions in Spain for students arriving from the United States.
You do not need to take a test when you arrive in Spain from any other country, Other countries may have rules about what you need to do to leave the country to travel to Spain. You should check travel advice for the country you are traveling from.
Across all FIE programs we will communicate changes with students as we learn of them and encourage students to verify the requirements for their own flights and travel plans. Depending on vaccination status and country of residency, testing and/or quarantine requirements may be in place.
What is FIE’s cancellation policy?
Please see our Standard Cancellation Policy on our Fees Page for details.
What provisions does FIE have in place if the on site program delivery is interrupted?
All of FIE’s courses are ready to pivot to remote learning. In cases where a course involves a placement, FIE will endeavour to work with our local partners to migrate these placements to a remote format as well. When this is not possible, FIE is committed to offering an alternative.
FIE is committed to ensuring students studying with us receive their intended academic credit from the program.
What is FIE's refund policy?
Recoverable costs will be refunded in the event university partners are required to suspend the program based on the advice of the CDC or State Department before the expected end date. These recoverable costs include those related to extra- and co-curricular activities, prorated insurance, prorated local travel, prorated housing costs.
In the event of program interruption, courses will continue in an online format. In cases where a course involves a placement, FIE will endeavour to work with our local partners to migrate these placements to a remote format as well. When this is not possible, FIE is committed to offering an alternative.
Does FIE offer insurance to support students?
Unless waived by their home institution, students will be covered under FIE’s Group Travel Insurance policy with Endsleigh. Click here for a summary of the policy. Full policy documents and further insurance information can be found here on our website. Please note that coverage under FIE’s group policy with Endsleigh is only applicable while overseas, so students should not cancel any existing insurance policies.
How will FIE share objective information on the local COVID-19 situation with students?
FIE takes information and advice about critical incidences from health authorities including the HSE, NHS, Ministerio de Sanidadand CDC. We closely monitor these sources and continually update our website and communication to students with relevant COVID-19 developments.
What conditions will FIE consider, in delivering the program remotely, if there is a rebound of COVID-19?
FIE follows guidance from the UK, Irish and Spanish health authorities regarding the continuation of the program on-site. FIE is prepared to comply with evolving health protocols to have students remain safely on-site. Unless the US or the student’s home school requires all students to return, FIE will follow local guidance/regulations and aim to retain on-site support (even if the US CDC or USDOS recommends returning).
Should students be required to return home, we will support students throughout the departure process and offer remote learning options.
Are there any additional requirements for the Conflict and the Struggle for Peace: Explorations in Ireland and the Middle East program?
COVID-19-specific information regarding Jordan can be found on the dedicated health and safety section on the program-specific page.
A vaccine is required to participate on the Conflict and the Struggle for Peace: Explorations in Ireland and the Middle East program, and students may be asked to show proof of the required vaccination.
what to expect on site
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19??
UK
If you test positive please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The NHS currently advises people to stay at home for 5 days following a positive COVID-19 test result. If you have a fever for longer than these 5 days, you are advised to continue to stay home / avoid contact with others until you feel better. This advice applies not only to COVID-19, but other flu and colds, too, and people who feel unwell are encouraged to stay at home and prioritise their health and wellbeing.
IRELAND
If you test positive for COVID-19, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Further information on HSE self-isolation guidelines can be found here.
The Irish Health Service Executive recommends self-isolation if you:
- Have symptoms of COVID-19
- Test positive for COVID-19 (even if you are without symptoms)
- Were tested because you had symptoms and are waiting for PCR test results
How long you need to self-isolate for depends on the results of your test:
- Positive, negative or invalid antigen test result: 7 full days
- Positive PCR test result: 7 days
- Negative PCR test result: 48hrs
SPAIN
If you test positive, please contact FIE. While you are no longer legally required to self-isolate following a positive COVID-19 test result, the Ministerio de Sanidad currently advises people stay at home for 10 days following a positive COVID-19 test result.
Are COVID-19 tests available for students?
Self-administered lateral flow tests are readily available from pharmacies in the UK, Ireland and Spain and cost around £2 / €3 per test. During orientation and through communications during the program, the FIE team will signpost local pharmacies and shops that stock COVID-19 tests.
Students will receive pastoral and academic support for any related absence.
Can I get a COVID-19 booster while I'm abroad?
FIE is unable to facilitate boosters for students, visiting faculty, or staff whilst on our study abroad programs.
However, the FIE team is happy to signpost to government resources.
In the UK, anybody aged 18 or over is eligible for the COVID-19 booster for free, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
Booster vaccines are available to international students while in Ireland. More information on booster vaccinations in Ireland can be found here.
Will FIE students / faculty / staff be required to wear masks?
FIE requires students / faculty / staff to follow all local guidance regarding mask-wearing and social distancing. At this time there are no legal requirements to wear face masks in the UK, Ireland or Spain.
What can I expect if I am planning on participating in an internship?
FIE is committed to students having as full an experience as possible and receiving their intended academic credit from the programme for the duration of the pandemic.
Flexibility, resilience, and a sense of humor are essential factors in a student’s success while studying abroad, now more than ever before.
Given the changes to work culture favoring remote work and the uncertainty regarding conditions by the time placements begin, we advise internship students to anticipate a blended setting for the internship, with some mix of working remotely and in person. This mix would likely be different for every student.
Students will be required to be flexible with regard to the availability of placements in certain industries.
In most cases, students will take public transport to their placement site.
Should conditions require it, FIE will endeavor to work with our local partners to migrate these placements to a remote format. When this is not possible, FIE is committed to offering an alternative.
Will I be able to take the courses that I need?
As in any given term, course offerings are dependent upon enrolment. Given the uncertainty in enrolments, students will need to be as flexible as possible. As ever, FIE will endeavor to provide the courses that students require.
What precautions does FIE take to ensure that the on site environment is clean/sanitized?
Hand sanitizer is a permanent fixture in all FIE buildings and FIE has always employed thorough cleaning in our facilities. FIE continues to closely monitor the changing situation, and will observe recommended additional protocols as established by local health authorities both in student housing and in classroom/administrative buildings related to cleaning, sanitizing, etc.
What on-site social distancing measures will be in place for FIE’s educational environments?
FIE and our local academic partners provide guidance to students supporting good personal hygiene and promoting awareness of COVID-19 symptoms.
How does FIE provide support for wellbeing, welfare, and mental health?
FIE recognizes that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented and unexpected challenges to students’ mental health and wellbeing. We continue to support good mental health practices by promoting awareness and sharing guides/resources with students, faculty, and staff.
Students have access to a qualified counselor, psychotherapist (with online remote sessions available) and FIE Mental Health First Aid trained staff. FIE provides regular communication of mental health information/advice surrounding COVID-19 and continue to promote our open-door policy.
What if I am unable to return home by the final day of the program due to testing positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19 and need to remain abroad with FIE, you will be responsible for all living costs, including insurance and housing. However, you may be able to recover some costs from your insurance provider.
what to expect off site
What measures does FIE take regarding students’ independent travel?
Should you choose to travel during your time abroad, you remain responsible for researching and complying with the entry or exit requirements of any country if you travel outside of the UK or Ireland. Situations resulting from personal travel (including required self-isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19, as part of national or local government laws outside of the UK, Ireland or Spain) which prevent you from meeting your academic responsibilities do not constitute a mitigating circumstance and you are financially responsible for the costs of any travel, including required COVID-19 tests, required quarantine, and/or accommodation due to required quarantine or self-isolation.
Please also note: if you travel from the place of your study abroad program to a destination against the advice of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the World Health Organisation, your insurance may not be valid. Please visit FIE's Insurance page for a summary of FIE's insurance policy.
What adjustments has FIE made regarding extra and co-curricular activities?
In person co-curricular and extra-curricular activities may need to be modified in order to follow current government guidance. The ability to engage in particular activities, to travel to sites and the adherence to health precautions (including but not limited to group size, social distancing, distance to be travelled, and use of face coverings) is dependent on government and health authority regulations.
What measures does FIE take regarding students' use of public transportation?
Overall, public transportation is necessary for most students at FIE. Local governments continue to take extra steps to keep public transportation clean, safe, and socially distanced. We regularly advise students on local norms and guidance around using public transportation which may include wearing a mask or pre-booking reserved seating. In addition, FIE advises on alternatives such as walking and biking.
What precautions does FIE take regarding food access and consumption?
FIE does not operate a student cafeteria within its residences. FIE students usually cook meals in their residence, purchase take out or eat out. As such students should adhere to local guidance and norms around grocery shopping and restaurants/cafes.
