OWU Connection / International & Off-Campus Programs

International Travel Policy

This information is regularly updated and subject to change.  Please contact IOCP if you have questions.

Table of Contents

• A.  IOCP Contact Information / Office Operations Information

• B.  Travel and Other University-Supported International Activity 

• C.  Information for Students Studying Away (Study Abroad and Domestic Programs)

A.  IOCP Office – Contacts & Hours of Operation, Slocum Hall

Please note the following contact information:  

• International Students: Dede Shine djshine@owu.edu   +1-740-368-3071
• Study Abroad / Domestic Off-Campus Programs: Lisa Ho leho@owu.edu  +1-740-368-3075
• Grants, Travel and Other Programs: Darrell Albon djalbon@owu.edu  +1-740-368-3072
• Office Hours:  Monday through Friday 08:30 to 17:00 hrs (US ET / NYC time)
• After-hours / weekend / vacation contact  number:  +1-614-579-5398   (Please do not text this number.). This number may be called when the University is closed for vacation / holiday breaks.

B.  International Travel and University Sponsored International Activity

1. For students:  The University returned to its regular international travel policy 1 July 2021.
2. Institutionally-sponsored travel to countries with a U.S. Dept of State Level 4 Travel Advisory is prohibited. Travel to countries with a Level 3 Travel Advisory is restricted and will only be allowed if a petition to travel is approved.

   • Contact international@owu.edu for information about petitioning. Here is the petition form.
   • Petitions should be submitted as far in advance of travel as possible, but at least eight weeks prior.  Petitions normally take four weeks to review.  
   • Institutionally-sponsored travel to countries with Level 2 and Level 1 Travel Advisories is permitted if registered with the IOCP Office. 
3. For faculty & staff:  The University returned to its regular international travel policy 1 July 2021.
4. Institutionally-sponsored travel to countries with a U.S. Dept of State Level 4 Travel Advisory is prohibited. Travel to countries with a Level 3 Travel Advisory is restricted and will only be allowed if a petition to travel is approved.
   • Contact international@owu.edu for information about petitioning.  Here is the petition form.
   • Petitions should be submitted as far in advance of travel as possible, but at least eight weeks prior.  Petitions normally take four weeks to review.  
   • Institutionally-sponsored travel to countries with Level 2 and Level 1 Travel Advisories is permitted if registered with the IOCP Office. All international travel requires the permission of a divisional Vice President/Provost.
   • In some instances, travel to countries with a Level 4 Travel Advisory, if it is a country of citizenship or residency of the traveler or if there are other close personal ties, may be permitted with approval.
5. All students, faculty and staff traveling on University sponsored programs, both domestic and international, must follow current CDC recommendations (including those regarding vaccinations).
6. Travellers must be fully aware of covid testing and quarantine rules for entering and departing all of the countries through which they will be travelling. Although most have been rescinded, some still persist. Travellers must also be faware of the regulations and restrictions on activities and travel within the countries in which they will be staying.  Prior to traveling review guidance on travel restrictions, vaccination requirements and quarantine rules provided by the government of your home country, of your country of citizenship, of the countries through which you are transiting and of the USA. Airlines normally provide the most up-to-date and accurate requirements for the countries of transit and the destinations to which they fly.
7. Refer to the U.S. Dept. of State's International Travel Page for information regarding the countries your travel.  All OWU approved international travellers who are U.S. citizens must enrol in the U.S. Dept. of State's STEP Program.  
8. For information about our institutional insurance coverage for international travel, please see the EIIA International Travel page. Particular attention should be paid to the International Travel Brochure page and the FAQ page. Travellers are encouraged to consider cancelation-for-any-reason / interruption-for-any-reason (CFAR/IFAR) insurance -- contact IOCP / OWU Connection Office for more details.
9. All international travel must be registered with the IOCP Office. The University reserves the right to suspend institutionally-sponsored activities in countries for which the Travel Advisory changes or there are other changes that might present a risk to OWU travellers. Travel can be canceled opt to the day of departure.  Students, faculty and/or staff may be required and should be prepared to suspend activities and immediately depart a country that moves to a Level 4 TA or for which the risk environment changes. 
10. Airlines normally provide the most up-to-date and accurate requirements for the countries of transit and the destinations to which they fly -- review requirements provided by your airline. For more detailed information about travel for all countries, one of many resources is the International Air Travel Association (IATA) -- Interactive Travel Regulations / Restrictions Map.  See also the IATA Know Before You Go TravelCentre, which provides information about health requirements and regulations, required immigration documentation, and travel restrictions.
11. No academic credit will be transferred from programs that are in countries for which there has been no permission for institutionally sponsored travel. No funds will be disbursed or reimbursed for activities in countries for which there has been no permission for institutionally-sponsored travel.  

C.  Information for Students Studying Away (Study Abroad and Domestic Programs)

1. Approval to participate in a study abroad program is based upon the University international travel policy (see "B" above).  
2. Students are responsible for knowing the refund policies of their programs and for paying all non-refundable program charges.
3. Students must plan to be flexible and to keep all options open, including:
   • participating in a domestic off-campus experience -- students may apply for both at the same time.
   • Enrolling in on-campus courses and applying for on-campus housing (advising Res. Life of your plans well in advance). 
4. Students who have a study abroad requirement for a major and who are unable to study abroad because of travel restrictions must contact the Dept. Chair or Program Director of their major to discuss accommodations.