April 2, 2026: On March 22, 2026, the US Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution directing Americans to exercise increased caution. UCEAP provides extensive guidance to students through our predeparture webinars, guides, communications, and orientations. UCEAP students will receive Crisis24 Alert emails regarding their program country and city to raise awareness on risk and provide guidance on personal safety.
We have strong protocols in place, comprehensive resources informing us and students of risks, and responsible resources to respond in the event of a crisis. We employ a variety of tools to monitor geopolitical activity 24/7/365, and we consult with authoritative bodies such as Department of State, Embassies, and the CDC, as well as partners abroad. We center student and program safety in operational decisions, but the UC cannot guarantee safety or eliminate all risks from study abroad and international travel. We also cannot monitor or control student’s daily personal decisions.
Fuel shortages are being reported outside of the conflict region and have the potential to impact programs. Students might expect planned electricity cuts, reduced public transportation options, more expensive ride share costs, and/or disruptions to supply chains. Protest activity may be heightened. Disruptions to communication systems and degraded mapping accuracy on GPS devices (such as a cell phone) are possible. Cyber threats may increase, particularly during times of heightened tension. Anti-American sentiment may be experienced in conversations and protest activity, there may be boycotts on American brands, or perceived American brands.
It is important students remain up-to-date on local news, maintain personal situation awareness, and read alerts received from Crisis24. Students are encouraged to sign up for alerts through the US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Due to the armed conflict and hostilities involving several countries in parts of the Middle East, some airlines may periodically adjust flight routes to avoid certain airspace resulting in slightly longer travel times or minor changes to typical flight paths for international routes. Given the University’s current guidance to avoid all travel to the Middle East North Africa region, students are advised to book flight itineraries that do not transit or travel through the region (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen).
March 5, 2026: On February 28, Israel and United States began strikes in Iran. As of March 5, joint US–Israeli operations continues to drive rapid regional escalation, including Iranian drone/missile retaliation against multiple Gulf states and continued Israel–Hizballah cross-border strikes. Regional air travel remains highly degraded by rolling airspace closures and airport suspensions. This ongoing conflict in the Middle East may have far reaching repercussions, including protests and anti-American sentiment. Our International Health, Safety, and Crisis Management Team continues to monitor global impacts along with security guidance from US Department of State and UC’s security partner, Crisis24. We also acknowledge that you may have personal circumstances that result in this conflict affecting you more directly. This email contains information about UCEAP resources and reminders about UCEAP policies.
- You are registered to receive emails from Crisis24, the UC security vendor. Please pay attention to these emails as they will alert you to security risks, such as protests, occurring in your city. They will also share guidance around managing your safety. This advice sheet provides general information about personal safety during civil unrest.
- You have access to 20 Lyra virtual mental health sessions while abroad. You can sign up for Lyra Mental health sessions online. The student travel insurance also provides a 24/7 US based crisis phone line for any student experiencing a mental health crisis. You can reach this service by calling +1-630-694-9804 and asking for “remote behavioral health crisis consult.”
- You must comply with UCEAP Student Travel Policy and a Waiver of Liability Form is required when independent travel is to US State Department Level 3 or 4 countries. As of March 4, UC System Travel Advisories restricts all nonessential travel (this includes any UCEAP student independent travel) to Ukraine, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) During UCEAP program participation you cannot travel to these locations for independent travel until these restrictions are lifted.
- You can enroll at step.state.gov to receive the latest security alerts and follow the “U.S. Department of State - Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp.
On February 28, the US Department of State issued the following Worldwide Caution:
Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They may experience travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures. The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution. To locate the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate visit the Department of State webpage and enter the name of the country you are in or plan to travel to or through.
Please take care in prioritizing your personal safety and wellbeing. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Our team can be reached at ihscm@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Finance
Your UCEAP first payment deposit will be refunded in full. Deposits paid to your home campus and/or host universities may or may not be refundable.
Housing deposits paid directly to your provider may or may not be refundable depending on the provider’s agreement. Please check with your housing provider before paying a deposit.
If your program is canceled prior to the start date, all UCEAP program fees will be refunded in full, including the travel insurance fee. This means you won’t be eligible for travel insurance benefits.
If your program is canceled after the start date, fee refunds are subject to UC and UCEAP refund policy if your program allows for alternative coursework completion. Program fees are either non-refundable or partially refundable after the program start date. UCEAP recommends that you don’t expect a full refund of your program fees if you’re given the option to continue coursework online. Financial aid recipients may also have aid revised if the program has already begun. Financial aid revisions will be reported to UCEAP and may result in a bill. Contact your campus financial aid office if you have questions about revisions to aid.
If your program is canceled after the start date and the host institution is unable to provide coursework completion and no credits are given, you’ll receive a full UC tuition refund.
UCEAP and third-party withdrawal fees will be waived for program cancelation prior to the start date. UCEAP withdrawal fees will be waived for program cancelation after the start date. However, UCEAP cannot guarantee third-party withdrawal fee waivers after the start date.
If your program is canceled prior to the start date, you won’t be eligible for aid at UCEAP. If you’ll be attending classes at your home campus, aid will be modified appropriately. Contact your campus financial aid office with questions.
For programs that are canceled after they have started, a withdrawal calculation will be performed by your campus financial aid office. You’re eligible to keep a portion of aid based on the percentage of time completed in the program. This calculation can’t be performed until the campus receives all the withdrawal information from UCEAP, so it can take time to process. You should expect that you may have a bill with revised charges, especially if the cancelation occurs prior to 60 percent of the term being completed. UCEAP will determine the revised program charges and then your campus financial aid office will update financial aid and report it to UCEAP. Depending on these differences, you may receive a bill with revised charges.
It is advisable for you, especially if you're a financial aid recipient, to consider the financial impact of a withdrawal after the start date. In many cases, when you withdraw after receiving a financial aid disbursement, a balance is created by financial aid and fee revisions. As a result, this could create a balance due to UCEAP in the thousands of dollars. If you are considering withdrawing, consider waiting to spend any remaining funds from a disbursement until your financial aid and fee revisions are complete to see if a balance is due.
Housing refunds depend on your housing provider. If your housing fee is paid directly to the provider, you’ll need to work with them directly.
Contact your campus registrar’s office and financial aid office to confirm your plans to enroll for the term. They can confirm if you’re able to do so, what actions you need to take, and what aid would be available. For financial aid purposes, you can’t earn financial aid for two programs for the same term.
UCEAP follows UC tuition refund policy for non-freshman matriculated students (Schedule B). UC Schedule B tuition refund policy applies to the following UCEAP fees and uses the start date of host institution instruction:
- UC Tuition (fall, winter, spring) (including non-resident supplemental tuition)
- UC Student Services Fee
- UCEAP Program Specific Fee (UCEAP Program Specific Fee is calculated based on the start date of the program, NOT the start date of host institution instruction)
The following fees are not refundable after the start date:
- UCEAP Participation Fee
- UCEAP Mandatory Travel Insurance
- UC Miscellaneous Campus Fee
Other fees such as UCEAP Student Activities and Services Fee and UCEAP Books/Materials/Lab/Internship Fees may or may not be refundable depending on the service provider. For example, ACCENT program fees assessed as a UCEAP Student Activities and Services Fee are not refundable after the start date. However, if Student Activities and Services Fees are assessed for Study Center activities provided by UCEAP Study Center staff, the Student Activities and Services Fee associated is refundable by any recoverable expenses as determined by Study Center staff. Typically, you can determine the provider of these services if your program is run by a third party, such as CIEE, ACCENT, IFE, et al.
In the event of a voluntary withdrawal, UCEAP Housing Fees are generally non-refundable. In the event of a program cancelation after the start date, UCEAP Housing Fees may be prorated to the date of cancelation whether you are withdrawn from the program or remain enrolled.
It's important to note for summer, Pre-Intensive Language Program, and Intensive Language Program Tuition and Student Services Fees, UCEAP uses Schedule Y for non-freshman matriculated students (periods of instruction other than quarters or semesters) when calculating refunds. For more information about UC Refund Policies Schedule B and Y, please visit the University of California Office of the President tuition and fees refund web page.
It'll be up to the scholarship agency/donor. Most times for predeparture cancelations, the scholarship will be rescinded for that term. UCEAP recommends that you reach out to your donor directly to inquire if they’ll let you keep the award or transfer it to another program or term. If your program has already started, your campus financial aid office will contact the donor when the withdrawal calculation is performed to see if you can keep that award.
In most cases, your UCEAP Global Scholarship can be transferred to another program within the same academic year.
Questions about billing, payment, or program budgets should be directed to your UCEAP finance accountant. Any questions about aid eligibility will need to be directed to your campus financial aid office or contact.
Academics
The availability of online coursework will vary by program. Please contact your UCEAP academic specialist for further information.
Each program has its own requirements. Check the Academics section of your program’s web page on the UCEAP website.
For any coursework that's completed, final grades will be reported. For any coursework that's not completed, withdrawals will be reported.
Whether you can complete coursework in the event of program cancelation will vary by program. Please contact your UCEAP academic specialist for further information.
Resources
Chubb-AXA Global Travel Assistance can also connect you with a mental health counselor immediately by phone through their Crisis Intervention service if you are in emotional distress. For longer-term treatment the counselor can work with the AXA referral team to find an English-speaking local therapist for ongoing treatment.
UCEAP partners with Lyra, a global mental health service provider, to offer 20 mental health counseling sessions during your program. You can connect with Lyra in person, by video, or by phone. Lyra maintains an online library of videos, articles, strategies, and meditations if you prefer a DIY approach. You can access Lyra services through instructions in your UCEAP Portal. No paperwork or fees are required to receive counseling.
Tips
UCEAP strongly advises against participating in or attending any protests or demonstrations. Even peaceful demonstrations can become unpredictable, and safety cannot be guaranteed in such situations.
If you happen to come upon a protest or demonstration, here are some tips on what to do from Crisis24, the UCEAP Security Provider:
- Remain calm, the demonstrators don't know who you are and will believe you're part of their protest. Be confident but don’t draw attention to yourself.
- Walk with them and mimic the actions of the group, but slowly move to the edge of the crowd and stay away from the aggressors and ring leaders.
- Look for a safe exit away from the crowd and slowly walk away, don’t run—this will bring attention to yourself.
- If you're caught up in the dense crowd, stay away from any glass shop windows and doors, stay firm on your feet, and move with the flow until you're able to move off in a safe direction.
- Should you be mistaken by the police or security forces as a demonstrator and arrested, do exactly as they say and don't resist. Contact your embassy/consulate and Study Center Staff/UCEAP for assistance.
General Safety Tips
- Stay informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest news and developments in your region. Use reputable news sources and consider downloading local news apps for real-time updates.
- Follow local authorities' instructions: Always abide by the guidance and instructions given by local authorities, including your program coordinators, host institution, and local law enforcement agencies.
- Maintain a low profile: While it's important to embrace cultural experiences and engage with local communities, avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public places. Be respectful of local customs and traditions.
- Emergency contacts: Make sure you have emergency contact information readily available, including the contact details of your Study Center/ international office staff and the nearest embassy or consulate. Consider printing out the emergency contact information in case Wi-Fi or cell service is unavailable.