We're pretty confident that Semester Abroad will go ahead as planned in AY 2022/23. In AY 2021/22 we supported students to be mobile to countries/regions such as mainland Europe, Canada, Hong Kong and the USA. Where students weren't able to be mobile in 2021/22, this was always due to a decision from the host univeristy to cancel inbound mobility or because COVID-19 border controls meant students couldn't enter their host country.

So, whilst we are confident for AY 2022/23, it's important to remember that we won't be able to gurantee this it until later on in the year, as this will still be dependent on:

1. UK government advice regarding travel
2. Any immigration restrictions our host countries have in place
3. Our Host University partners supporting inbound exchanges to their campuses

If any mobility can't go ahead, we'll make sure all affected students are informed as soon as we are able to do so and, wherever possible, before you've committed any non-refundable expenses.

We're pretty confident that Year Abroad will go ahead as planned in AY 2022/23. In AY 2021/22 we supported students to be mobile to countries/regions such as mainland Europe, Canada, Hong Kong and the USA. Where students weren't able to be mobile in 2021/22, this was always due to a decision from the host univeristy to cancel inbound mobility or because COVID-19 border controls meant students couldn't enter their host country.

So, whilst we are confident for AY 2022/23, it's important to remember that we won't be able to gurantee this it until later on in the year, as this will still be dependent on:

1. UK government advice regarding travel
2. Any immigration restrictions our host countries have in place
3. Our Host University partners supporting inbound exchanges to their campuses

If any mobility can't go ahead, we'll make sure all affected students are informed as soon as we are able to do so and, wherever possible, before you've committed any non-refundable expenses.

At the moment, Chinese government restrictions mean that students can't travel to China. We do not know when the borders will re-open and/or if this will be in time for students to travel to Suzhou in time for the start of the semester at XJTLU.

Applications for the Year in China are open as normal, but it is important to note that, if the borders do not re-open, we will not be offering Year in China (YiC) on an online basis in AY 2022/23. With that in mind, we strongly suggest that you only apply for YiC in AY 2022/23 if you are currently in your final year (as most other students will be able to apply for the programme later on in their degree when there will likely be much more certainty).

A final decision will be taken in 2022 (around April time) and before any students need to make any related financial commitments (e.g. visas). So, if you are interested in YiC, please submit your application but keep the above in mind.

We understand that this year more than ever, you might want to submit an application but are concerned about being tied into a Global Opportunity. So rest assured that you can withdraw your application/offer at any point before you arrive abroad (and can even change your mind once you get abroad, although we hope you won't!).

To ensure that you are not disadvantaged:

1. You'll sign up for your UoL modules for next year as normal and we won't ask your department to withdraw you from them until you've confirmed arrival at your host, so if you decide not to go, you'll study the UoL modules you want
2. You don't have to commit any non-refundable expenses until later in the year, usually around June/July time when you start applying for visas for countries with a start date in August. The only exception to this is visas for Hong Kong as you have to pay as part of your host university registration process
3. You can apply for a room in Dover Court, meaning you have accommodation sorted for a full year if you decide not to study abroad (and can switch to the Study Abroad Village for a semester-only let if you are going abroad)
4. You can decide, once you are abroad, to return to your UoL studies if you want, as long as you return within two weeks' of the start of term here at UoL. If you decide within the two weeks, you can re-integrate with your Liverpool studies as normal (if you want to return beyond this date, it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)

The Global Ops Team will run lots of sessions (some of them compulsory!) and be available through the year to give advice and support, so we hope you'll feel confident in your decision.

Year Abroad

Unfortuantely, due to the application windows at partner universities, it will not be possible to offer an alternative destination if a host university cancels or border restrictions prevent students from entering their host country.

Semester Abroad

If we are able, we will offer an alternative destination to any student who is prevented from going on a Semester Abroad due to decisions taken by the Host University or host country.

We can't guarantee that we'll be able to do this, as it will depend on a number of factors, including:

1. Space being available at a partner compatible with your UoL degree
2. Available Host Universities still being able to accept new nominations from UoL

but we will do our very best.

If we are able to offer an alternative, this might also mean you are offered a host university you didn't originally list on your application form, but we hope that you'll still want to take up the amazing chance to study abroad!

As long as the UK government is not advising against all travel to your destination and the University has given you final permission to continue with your Global Opportunity, currently, our travel insurance policy will cover you for cancellation and curtailment due to COVID-19. If this changes, we'll let all affected students know. 

As you'll have already read, we'll always to our best to ensure that decisions are taken in a timely manner, so you can avoid having made any non-refundable payments towards your opportunity.

We've always offered comprehensive pre-departure support for our Global Opportunities, and this won't change. We might continue to deliver some of our bigger sessions virtually, but whatever happens, we'll make sure to provide you with high quality support. Sessions and advising available include:

1. Next Steps Briefings (compulsory) - if your internal application is successul, you'll attend this session to help you prepare for submitting your application to your Host University and we'll get you to start thinking about things like visas and accommodation
2. Pre-Departure Briefings (compulsory) - before you leave for your host country, you'll attend a comprehensive session where we'll talk through all the of the practical arrangments you'll need to consider before going abroad and whilst in your host country
3. You can visit the Global Ops Team every weekday during term-time in the Alsop Building (Lower Ground Floor), from 10am to 3pm
4. Email and phone - the Team are available to contact throughout the year by phone and email
5. Regular updates - we'll make sure to keep all students intending to particiapte in a Global Opportunity updated, as soon as we are able, as and when we receive important information

Many countries will require you, where you are eligible, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to enter the country or to exempt you from quarantine (or have quarantine time shortened). Many of our partner universities are requiring, where eligible, all staff and students to be fully vaccinated in order to attend campus and number of our Summer Abroad opportunities will require all participants (where eligible) to be fully vaccinated. 

As such, whilst the University of Liverpool is not requiring students to be vaccinated (but we do strongly encourage you to do so), being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including, potentially, booster shots if appropriate) will make participating in a Global Opportunity much more feasible. Ultimately, of course, this is your decision.