CEPA Safety and Security Announcements
Here you will find a list of alerts and safety announcements concerning our study abroad students in Europe. Travel warnings and alerts are continually monitored from multiple sources to help evaluate the safety related to our program locations.
Carbon emissions (CO2e) resulting from CEPA’s activities during the period from January to December 2019 have been calculated at 74.96 tons. CEPA’s carbon footprint has been offset by planting 98 native trees at the Osa Conservation Area in Costa Rica, one of the most biologically intense places on earth.
CEPA values its memberships in professional associations, such as:
We are grateful to each and every one of our students, faculty, university partners, and dedicated team members for their
patience, understanding, and flexibility during the past weeks as we worked tirelessly together to get everyone home quickly and safely.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone during this global health crisis.
No matter where you are in the world, we hope you can:
Stay strong, stay positive, and practice good mental and physical self-care.
We will emerge stronger together.
Statement regarding COVID-19
Update: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 9:00 AM CET
CEPA’s top priority is the health and safety of our students and faculty leaders. We are aware of the US State Department’s on March 11, 2020 to issue a Global Travel Alert for US citizens to level 3. We are also aware of the US Government administration to restrict “all travel” from foreign nationals coming from continental Europe to the U.S. for the next 30 days, with an exemption for travelers coming from The United Kingdom.
Our crisis management teams are in close contact with student groups currently traveling in Europe as well as student groups planned to arrive in Europe in the coming months.
Communications are being sent regularly to our institution and faculty partners and their students as needed.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Update: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 10:00 AM CET
CEPA has been continuously monitoring developments of the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) ever since the first outbreak was identified in Wuhan, China.
In addition to reviewing the CDC, US State Department, and WHO announcements and reports, we are also monitoring national and local health ministries in Europe as well as the additional guidance from the following organizations:
Based on multiple sources of information, we are:
On February 28, 2020, the US State Department and CDC issued a travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel to Italy. Several airlines limited or varied their travel policies and flights to Italy.
On Feb. 29, 2020 the US State Department increased their travel advisory to Level 4 for the Lombardy and Veneto regions in Italy. As a result, some study abroad programs were cancelled.
All other Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 programs across Europe are continuing as planned until further notice from CEPA or the university partner.
We will provide updates should travel advisory levels in other European countries be heightened.
The safety, security, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff are of utmost importance to CEPA. Thankfully, we have not received any reports of CEPA students or staff in Europe or the US becoming sick from the coronavirus. We are making every effort within our means to support program participants and their home institutions in finding safe decisions and feasible solutions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.
10:04 pm (CET)
According to local media reports, a gunman opened fire near the Strasbourg Christmas market. All students at the European Study Center (ESC) Strasbourg are safe and accounted for.
Students, faculty, and staff have been asked to stay at the Château, and all students have been directed to avoid the city center.
10:26 pm (CET)
Local media reported about a shooting near Olympia shopping mall. CEPA staff has confirmed that European Study Center (ESC) Heidelberg students, who are in Munich tonight, are safe and indoors. No other students are presently in Munich.
09:30 am (CET)
Local media has reported that, last night, a truck driver mowed down night-time crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the seafront in Nice.
CEPA staff has confirmed that all students and faculty members currently in Europe are accounted for and safe. No students are presently in Nice.
We are staying in close touch with all of our students and reminded them to keep their cell phones turned on at all times and to stay in regular contact with our on-site staff.
09:22 am (CET)
Local media reported about bombings at Brussels airport and the Maelbeek metro station in the city center this morning.
All CEPA students and faculty members currently in Europe are accounted for and safe. No students are presently in Brussels.
We urge students to keep their cell phones turned on at all times and to stay in regular contact with our on-site staff.