Organize and adapt:
Students test positive
December 2021
Program Summary:
A week-long European study trip in the winter of 2021/2022 with 30 + participants from a US-based university. The program’s itinerary included both academic visits and cultural excursions.
The challenge we faced:
To keep the program on track as planned, while still ensuring the health and safety of the students after a few participants tested positive for COVID, our ISP team on the ground needed to devise a plan for how to approach the situation at hand.
How ISP handled it:
After one student tested positive for COVID, the ISP team needed to promptly arrange testing for the whole group, communicate with all involved parties and provide students with information outlining next steps. Those who tested positive needed to remain in quarantine, in accordance with the host country’s rules.
Testing needed to be done twice – once after the initial positive test results and again before the group departed from the destination. All of which was handled and coordinated by ISP.
Key Takeaways:
Quarantine Insurance: In addition to basic travel insurance, we also recommend purchasing COVID quarantine insurance. Having this additional coverage would be helpful in the event you test positive and can help give you peace of mind, knowing you’re completely covered.
Communication is Key: To keep everyone safe and healthy while on the ground, we encourage program participants to notify ISP staff if they don’t feel well. Communication is key and we’re here to assist in any way possible, to ensure you get the necessary care.
Program Preparation: Thanks to our pre-program planning and clear communication channels, we ensure that both parties are prepared before the start of the program. This preparation is essential to each program, confirming that both parties agree on and are familiar with the safety protocols and procedures in the host country.
Travel Safely with ISP:
In our 24 years, we’ve faced a variety of unforeseen situations, and we have the protocol to ensure our participants are cared for and their safety remains number-one. Both our team and our local partners are always prepped and ready to take on any situation that may arise and did so this time by communicating quickly with local health authorities, arranging testing and briefing the COVID positive individual on the quarantine procedure.
Whether you’re traveling with our ISP team or one of our trusted, local partners, rest assured your needs will always remain the top priority.