March 17, 2020

COVID-19 Student Bulletin: International and Exchange Students

Dear International and Exchange Students:

International Student Services at the Center for the Student Experience (CSE) and Exchange and Study Away Programs will continue to provide support to students with questions via email only during the campus closure (March 12-22), and again after campus operations resume (on and after March 23). 


In general, we want to inform you on these points:

  • OPT Applications for SP20 Graduating International Students: You can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) without an in-person meeting at the CSE. Send an email to international@artcenter.edu and you will receive specific instructions about required documents, application process, etc.
  • CPT Applications for SU20 Internships for Continuing International Students: You can apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) by sending an email to international@artcenter.edu and you will receive specific instructions to complete your CPT application. (Be prepared to submit an actual internship offer letter that includes your start date, job responsibilities and/or job title, and name of supervisor/manager.) Your CPT application will require a review by your academic department as well as by the CSE.
  • Travel questions (for International and Exchange Students): We understand that this is a difficult time for all of us.  We may not have a specific answer for every question, but we will be available to talk with you about your concerns via email, or during regular office hours and by appointment on Hillside and South after March 23.
            • International Students—Please send an email to international@artcenter.edu to request an appointment or to ask your individual specific questions.
            • Exchange Students—If you choose to leave your current study away program and return to your country of origin, we suggest that you first try to re-book your flight with your airline. Should this not work, you may contact the emergency arm of your CISI insurance provider, AssistAmerica, to book your ticket. You can reach AssistAmerica at 609 986-1234 (collect calls accepted).
  • Policies and Procedures: There have been no changes to the U.S. government policies that require International Students to maintain full-time student status for at least two consecutive semesters before you take a term off (for any reason). Any changes to registration procedures for future semesters will be officially announced by Enrollment Services. The Spring 2020 semester will now end May 1. The schedule for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters have not changed at this time.
  • SP20 Study Away credits: Exchange and Study Away will work with impacted students to allow the opportunity to continue academic coursework remotely to the extent possible. All of our host institutions have different philosophies and capabilities when it comes to online or remote learning, similar to the wide range of capabilities at institutions in the U.S.
  • Other: Please ask us questions you may have, because each international or exchange student may be experiencing very different circumstances. International Student Services in the CSE can be reached at international@artcenter.edu, and Exchange and Study Away can be reached at studyaway@artcenter.edu. We will do our best to address your unique questions and concerns in a timely manner.

However, if you make the individual decision to leave the United States and travel back to your home countries please be aware that your return to the United States is subject to many factors such as the U.S. government’s travel procedures which are changing frequently. We know that this pandemic is:
changing availability (and costs) of commercial air travel;
impacting the operations of U.S. consulates to process visa applications (and the costs and time required to process such applications are subject to changes and can vary country-to-country).

If you do leave the U.S. and return, you should research (in advance of scheduling and purchasing return travel): any travel advisories or restrictions that apply to you, and be aware that you may be subject to health protocols such as enhanced screenings at airports, and mandatory quarantines, which can prevent you from starting work or school for approximately 14 days after your entry into this (or any other country). Therefore, choosing to leave the U.S. may have serious consequences on your academic progress and your visa status, for reasons that ArtCenter cannot predict or control. Ultimately, your decision(s) to travel in and out of any country is a choice that you must make on your own (or in consultation with, and in agreement with your loved ones/dependents). Unless required to by a government or public health authority, ArtCenter will not make this decision for you.

Please refer the following website as your resources when you or/and your family make any decisions on international travels:

CDC Travel Health Notices
CDC After Travel Precautions
U.S. Department of State Travel Information

You should also take careful note of any travel or health advisories that your home country is communicating directly to you and/or your loved ones.

Please understand that the decision to stay in the U.S. or in any other country, or the decision to leave one location for a home country is a deeply personal one that considers finances, family, health needs, etc. ArtCenter will not tell you what decision you should make; instead, we will give you the most accurate information available at any time, but the decision will be yours.

All campus updates related to COVID-19 can be found on the ArtCenter website.

Please be sure you share this resource with your loved ones and your emergency contacts.

Thank you,

The Center for the Student Experience
CSE@artcenter.edu

Exchange and Study Away Programs
studyaway@artcenter.ed