COST coordinates teaching opportunities in countries spanning 6 continents and encourages students to be informed with real information when making their own risk assessment. 

COST During COVID-19

We believe that it is critical for U.S. colleges and universities to engage in dialogue to make appropriate decisions when allowing students to participate in COST's programs during a global pandemic. We have made an effort to continuously review available information and bring together on-campus and overseas colleagues to make appropriate decisions about where to offer placements abroad while the pandemic continues and travel warnings frequently and rapidly change. 

In making this assessment, COST has considered the balance between the value of the academic and professional experience versus the risks associated with a given location/activity in our receiving sites which has led us to continue offering opportunities and encouraging students to participate in our overseas student teaching programming during this time. 

Students who elect to participate in COST during the pandemic are required to sign the COST COVID-19 Addendum and may be required to sign an additional release with their home institution acknowledging the existence of Travel Warnings. Contact your institution's COST Coordinator for more information about your institution's study abroad travel warning policy and how it applies to your participation in the COST program. 

Students who have received placement confirmation and voluntarily withdraw from a program that COST has NOT officially suspended will be responsible for all costs incurred up until that point as outlined in the COST Withdrawal Policy.

Other important things you might consider

• Understand the personal responsibility to take every precaution possible to minimize exposure prior to departure, during your time abroad, and after return.
• Be mindful of the reality of life in the host country. There continue to be periodic lockdowns in places all around the world. Many locations have travel restrictions in place. You may be expected to quarantine if you travel outside of the country during your stay, and there may be fewer places open for you to socialize and meet locals.
• Identify connections in the host country such as: family, friends, or other networks that could offer support should the need arise.
• Understand that each one of us has an obligation to do what we can to keep our communities safe. Travelers have an obligation to the host country and placement school to do everything possible to protect others from further spread of COVID-19. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 within two weeks prior to departure may need to cancel travel plans if they do not receive two negative tests prior to departure.
• Carefully reflect on the safety of your planned itinerary, including any personal travel interests.
• Understand the quickly changing circumstances and the need for each traveler to be well prepared to handle any changes that might arise.
• Be willing to remain abroad for an indefinite period of time should the host country’s border close, you fall ill with COVID-19 and are unable to travel, or any other circumstance arises that would prohibit a planned return.

COST in Mexico

On August 22, 2017, the U.S. Department of State updated its travel warning on Mexico. Keep reading for COST's decision to continue making placements in Mexico.

We believe that it is critical for U.S. colleges and universities to better understand the situation in Mexico and engage in dialogue to make appropriate decisions when allowing students to participate in COST's programs in Mexico. We have made an effort to review all available information and bring together on-campus and on-site colleagues to make appropriate decisions about where to offer placements in Mexico. 

In making this assessment, COST has considered the balance between the value of the academic and professional experience versus the risks associated with a given location/activity in Mexico which has led us to continue offering opportunities and encouraging students to participate in our Mexican programming. 

Students who elect to participate in our Mexico teaching opportunities may be required to sign an additional release with their home institution acknowledging the existence of the Travel Warning.  Contact your institution's COST Coordinator for more information about your institution's study abroad travel warning policy and how it applies to your participation in the COST program. 

Students who have received placement confirmation and voluntarily withdraw from a program that COST has NOT officially suspended will be responsible for all costs incurred up until that point.