When evaluating risk factors for travelers, Swarthmore utilizes multiple sources, including, but not limited to International SOS Travel Risk ratings, U.S. DOS Travel Advisories, and CDC health notices. A location is considered elevated risk when at least one of the following criteria applies: 

• A location (country, region, or city) where the travel risk rating is listed by International SOS as “Extreme Risk” or “High Risk.”
• A location (country, region, or city) that has been assigned a travel advisory of “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel” by the U.S. Department of State.
• A location (country, region, or city) that has been assigned a travel health notice of “Avoid All Travel” or “Reconsider Non-Essential Travel” by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• A location where the College’s travel medical insurance policy cannot provide coverage (for medical, security, or evacuations services).
• A location classified as a sanctioned/embargoed country or as an “excluded” country – i.e., where the College’s liability insurance coverage cannot provide protection against exposure.  (Note: certain sanctioned countries have exceptions for educational purposes, but may require a license.)

Please note that the ITRMC cannot approve Swarthmore Global Travel to active conflict zones. Exceptions will not be granted.

Activities abroad that are determined to carry elevated risk might include but are not limited to the following examples:  

• Activities excluded from Swarthmore travel medical insurance coverage.
  • Specific examples include: mountain climbing, bungee jumping, skiing, extreme sports, scuba diving below depth of 75 ft, skydiving, parachuting, free falling, cliff diving, base jumping, hang gliding, parasailing, operating any aircraft, or otherwise traveling by air outside of commercial/charter flights.
• Activities that entail known acute hazards.
  • Examples of such hazards include: exposure to highly contagious disease, exposure to radiation, or interaction with individuals involved in criminal activity.
• High risk activities include actions that are codified as illegal in the United States or the foreign jurisdiction. 

As established in the International Travel Policy, the International Travel Risk Management Committee (ITRMC) is charged with reviewing requests for Swarthmore Global Travel that involve heightened levels of risk to the safety and welfare of faculty, staff and student travelers. The Committee meets regularly during the academic year to review petitions for College-sponsored travel that present heightened risks.  The Committee additionally reviews College-sponsored travel to ensure planned activities are conducted within College policy and best practice. 

If a petition is successful, travelers will be required to sign a Supplemental Acknowledgement of Risk. (And in the case of students, this supplemental acknowledgement must be countersigned by guardians.)

Even if your travel is approved and you sign the acknowledgement of risk, be aware that a program in a country under a travel warning could still be canceled. Participants should be aware that they may incur financial losses and might not receive academic credit. Students are encouraged to consider supplemental insurance options to cover losses if programs are canceled. 

Students/Faculty/Staff who choose to travel to an elevated risk country/region against the College’s guidance will not be eligible for travel medical insurance, administrative support, or financial support (including reimbursements).

Students may not transfer credit, financial aid, or other college funds.  Should a student choose to travel independently during the academic year, that student would be required to take a leave of absence.