Information & Resources for the 22/23 Academic Year
This information is regularly updated and subject to change. Please contact IOCP if you have questions.
Table of Contents
A. OWU Connection / IOCP Office – Contacts & Hours of Operation, Merrick Hall
Please note the following contact information:
- International Students: Darrell Albon djalbon@owu.edu +1-740-368-3072
- 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 Activity
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For students: The University returned to its regular international travel policy 1 July 2021. 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.
- For faculty & staff: The University returned to its regular international travel policy 1 July 2021. 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.
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All students, faculty and staff traveling on University sponsored programs, both domestic and international, will need to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination as per current CDC recommendations (including boosters).
- 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. Travellers must also be fully aware 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
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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 International / Global Nomad Students
- OWU instruction for the 22/23 academic year will be IN-PERSON only.
- For 22/23, new students or students returning after a leave-of-absence must normally be fully vaccinated for covid-19. Those not vaccinated against covid-19 with a WHO approved vaccine may need to arrive on-campus earlier for quarantine and vaccination. Contact the IOCP office for details.
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- F-1 Visa Students: DHS ICE SEVP guidance for pandemic-related regulatory adaptations will be extended for the 2022/2023 Academic Year. Please review this website for the latest updates. The DHS ICE SEVP guidance issued in 2020 March, for the duration of the emergency, is current. Please also note, DHS ICE SEVP released additional guidance ("Clarifying Questions....").
- DHS ICE SEVP is now allowing the I-20 Form to be transmitted electronically. An electronically transmitted I-20 can be used for visa interviews and entry into the USA.
- The US State Dept. expanded options for waiving in-person interviews for F-1 visas--this option may or may not be available. Visa services at USA consulates and embassies varies, as do the requirements for requesting an emergency appointment. Consult the website of the consulate or embassy, or contact them directly, for more information. Please see US Dept of State visa website for more information, including US visa news, links to embassies and consulates, visa appointment wait times, FAQ's, etc.
- Continuing F-1 Visa Students: All students are on-campus and in-person for the FA/22 and SP/23 semesters; F-1 visa students must be registers for classes on-campus (or in an approved off-campus study semester) in order to maintain their immigration status.
- F-1 Visa Students Returning from a Leave of Absence or after having their I-20 terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal (or other) must be approved to return by the Registrar's Office, and then must complete the requirements for a new I-20 form well in advance of their intended date of return. They or their financial guarantors must complete and submit:
- (1) a new Certification of Finances Form with required supporting documentation,
- (2) a new I-20 Issuance Form, and
- (3) a scan of you passport biodata information page.
- Please note that students doing this will need to pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee for the new I-20 record and their eligibility clock for CPT and OPT will reset following their leave—a full two semesters of enrolment are required before an F-1 student can apply for CPT or OPT.
- If a student's F-1 visa is expired, then they will also need to apply for a new visa. If a student's F-1 visa has not expired, they can use it to enter the USA with their new I-20, even if the expiry date is before your expected date of graduation.
- Students must check their passport expiry date -- passports must have at least six months of validity.
- 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.
- Please note that the USA still requires proof of being fully vaccinated against covid-19 with an WHO approved vaccine.
- 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.
- Students who will be coming to OWU for the first time should plan to arrive at CMH (Columbus, John Glenn Int. Airport) on the regular arrival day for new international students for the semester of their arrival.
- Those who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine but must follow CDC guidance. CDC Guidance for Entry to the USA is a good resource.
- Those arriving for the first time will be met at CMH for pick-up at any time on the arrival day. If, because of delayed flight(s), a student arrives on the following day, arrangements will be made for airport pick-up by the IOCP Office.
- Students who have been approved for return to OWU after an extended absence and new international students who are not yet vaccinated for covid-19 with a WHO approved vaccine should contact the IOCP Office.
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New students may arrive in the USA in F-1 visa status up to 30 days prior to the start of their program. Please note, though, that the OWU Health Insurance Plan does not start until 1 August for those new to OWU for the 22/FA semester. Students arriving earlier than this date must make sure that they purchase travel insurance that will cover them in the USA until to 1 August. Students who do not advise of coverage may be enrolled in an extra month of the OWU Student Health Insurance.
- Any students who have been delayed and will be arriving on or after the first day of classes for the term must contact the IOCP for a late arrival certification letter. The last possible day for arrival on-campus is three days before the add/drop date for the semester. Students with F-1 visas unable to arrive by this date will be deferred to the next semester and will be sent an updated I-20.
- For more detailed information about travel restrictions 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 Travel Centre, which provides information about health requirements and regulations, required immigration documentation, and travel restrictions. Major airlines are now providing extensive and up-to-date information about travel requirements, many through interactive "trip planning" pages.
- For further information regarding travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, and documentation, Fragomen LLC has a very helpful online guide – look at the pdf titled Immigration Situation Overview for country-specific information. Another helpful resource for information on travel issues and restrictions on entry to the USA is the NAFSA Travel Resources (international education organization) page.
- All students: Please carefully review the DHS Study in the States website: Study in the States – COVID-19 Page, also see the Study in the States -- Updates Page and, for more detail, see the SEVP FAQ Page. The US government has adjusted immigration regulations for international students to accommodate the exigencies created by the coronavirus pandemic, including the restrictions on online course registration, remaining in-status whilst out of the USA, and the "5-month" rule. All students in F-1 visa status should review these websites. Please also review the DHS main Study in the States student website: Study in the States – Students.
- OPT: Please review the DHS FAQ's about OPT (starting on page 14 of this document). DHS is allowing some procedural adaptations for OPT for the duration of the current emergency. Students engaged in OPT and STEM OPT must update their SEVIS Portal when required, as always. Students must be in the USA in order to apply for OPT. Contact Darrell if you have any questions.
D. Internationalization Resources for Faculty -- virtual opportunities
Some of our international partners are offering resources and opportunities that will enhance the class experience for our students. Restrictions on travel are creating many opportunities for innovation in international education. Our partners are continuing to develop new initiatives--check back for updates.
- The GLCA's initiatives to expand Collaborative On-line International Learning ("COIL") are managed through the Global Course Connections Program of the Global Crossroads initiative. There will be a summer workshop this year to be held in June in Paris (travel costs covered) and there is a $250 stipend to teach a connected course. Please contact Darrell for further information.
- The Forum on Education Abroad's Online Global Learning Experiences is an excellent background resource.
- Arcadia University, a partner since the 1980's, has educational centers in eight cities in Europe and also one in Cape Town. Guest lectures, virtual tours, virtual group talks are available. For more information, please contact Darrell.
- CEA Abroad, a partner for over ten years, is offering a virtual online lecture series. It is also offering virtual global internships for qualified students.
- The GLCA / GLAA offer other internationalization resources.
- The School for International Training ("SIT") has been an OWU partner for decades (since the early 60s, and likely earlier when it was known as The Experiment in International Living ). It has recently announced a new program: Global Curricular Enhancement (GCE) program. Through this program, faculty, administrators, and students can gain access to and engage in dialogue with SIT's outstanding global network of academics, practitioners, and community partners. All GCEs can be tailored and customized to fit the specifications and needs of partnering schools. Contact Darrell for a program prospectus.
E. Information for Students Studying Away (Study Abroad and Domestic Programs)
- Approval to participate in a study abroad program is based upon the University international travel policy (see "B" above).
- Students are responsible for knowing the refund policies of their programs and for paying all non-refundable program charges.
- 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). All students must do this.
- 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.
F. Information about Travel-Learning Courses
- Some postponed Travel-Learning Courses postponed from 2020 and 2021 will be offered when conditions permit starting in the Spring of 2023.
- TLC faculty should consult the TLC Faculty Resources Page for more information.
- Updates will be posted on this website and in the OWU Daily as soon they are available. Please also see section "B" above.
G. Information About Theory-to-Practice Grants, Small Grants and other Institutionally Sponsored Travel
- The Theory-to-Practice, Small Grant, and other institutionally sponsored grant programs are underway. Please note information about the institutional travel policy above (section B). Proposals that include travel to countries with U.S. Dept. of State Level 3 and Level 4 Travel Advisories will be reviewed and, if approved, will be funded with the provision that they be reviewed eight weeks prior to travel if they are still at Level 3. No travel is permitted to countries with a Travel Advisory Level 4 (see above).
- The Small Grant Program continues. Please note that the Small Grant Program may fund domestic travel for groups of students engaged in projects associated with an upper-level course.
- The Theory-to-Practice Grant Program will have two rounds for 2022/2023. Normally the review of submitted proposals takes about six weeks, with funds becoming available a few weeks after the review results are announced. The review process for FA/22 and SP/23 will likely be longer due to the dates of breaks in the academic calendar and other factors.
H. The OWU Connection Student Symposia
