Welcome to our health & safety hub

Explore our entire health & safety hub or jump to a particular topic you're interested in.

Our approach to safety

Our travelers' safety is our number one priority. With over 55 years of experience and a global network that reaches over 50 countries, we lead the charge on student safety. In addition to a crew of people who work behind-the-scenes on every program, our Safety and Incident Response Team—comprised of industry experts, healthcare experts, and even former FBI personnel—is ready to spring into action 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And when they aren’t directly helping EF travelers, they’re actively innovating on and shaping the new worldwide standards for cleanliness and safety.

Whether it’s a worldwide pandemic or a sprained ankle, a missed flight or confusing medical paperwork, we’ve seen it all. So, whatever happens, we’re ready and here for you.

Explore our approach to safety

Flexible travel policies

We’re constantly adapting, enhancing, and expanding our policies so that we can make planning for the future as flexible as possible. In addition to our $50 million liability policy, you can plan and enroll with confidence with these policies.

  • Peace of Mind Policies

    Plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. EF automatically includes an exclusive Peace of Mind Program that allows groups to change travel dates or itineraries for any reason, including terrorism or other world events.

    More about this policy

  • COVID Care Promise

    Our EF COVID Care Promise is provided to all groups. EF will provide or arrange for assistance, consistent with local requirements, at no additional expense to the travelers if travelers become sick with COVID or have to quarantine.

    More about this policy

  • Global Travel Protection Plans

    Travelers can enroll in one of the Global Travel Protection plans, which provide pre-departure and on-program benefits for circumstances that occur on an individualized basis, including cancellation for any reason.

    More about this policy

  • Worry-free flexible enrollment

    New travelers who enroll at least 120 days prior to departure can cancel for any reason up to 30 days after enrollment for a full refund of 100% of the money paid to EF. Read our full policy for eligibility details.

    More about this policy

Rescheduling travel as a group

  • Any group originally scheduled to travel on a program in 2020 or 2021 that wishes to embark on the same itinerary at a later date can do so with no additional rebooking fees
  • As soon as your Group Leader selects a new date for your program, we’ll move all travelers to the new date—there is nothing you need to do
  • All details from the original program—optional extensions, Global Travel Protection Plan, rooming, upgrades, etc.—and money paid will be transferred into the new account

Rescheduling as an individual

We recognize that it might be difficult for some travelers to reschedule their program right now. Any individual traveler who is unable to travel with their group’s rescheduled program can receive a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. Our vouchers provide a ton of flexibility: You can redeem them for all sorts of programs offered through EF’s wide variety of products. They’re also in the amount of all the money you paid towards your program—including non-refundable fees. And you have until September 30, 2025 to use them.

Enhanced measures for confident travel

In addition to following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and local and federal authorities around the world, we've also developed our own protocols to keep travelers healthy. We're proud to have earned the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp and a TOURCARE stamp from the United States Tour Operators Association.

  • Pre-travel health measures

    All travelers will receive information about local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations expected to be in place during their program. Explore information about pre-program testing, vaccination requirements, and our COVID-19 Safe Traveler Agreement that all travelers must complete prior to departure.

    Health before your program

  • Read our FAQs

    As part of our comprehensive commitment to your safety, EF has a dedicated Safety and Incident Response Team that help drives our ongoing and holistic safety approach. Read some commonly asked questions, answered by members of our team.

    Read our FAQs

  • Country reopening insights

    As your partner in international education, we are committed to providing ongoing updates of situations around the world. Explore the EU's interactive re-opening tool below for more information about countries' protocols, safety measures, and re-opening status.

    Use this tool

What Group Leaders are saying

Every single one of our actions in response to COVID-19 has been made with students, teachers, parents, and administrators at the top of our minds. The true results of those decisions can only be measured through their reactions.

  • "The program was exhilarating and awesome. Our EF Field Director managed logistics and people extremely well, even with unforeseen challenging circumstances. The city tour guides were informative, knowledgeable and personable. Activities and events were well planned and information and cautions on personal safety were always included in briefing. I made several new friends. Thanks for a wonderful experience."

    – Sister, AK
  • "Great experience for a first time traveler. Children and husband had been abroad but I never had. I felt safe and secure among my peers and great support group of teachers and tour guides. Got to see a little of a lot. Can't decide what was favorite of the trip. Loved the theater in London. But, then there was the countryside and the friendliness of the local folk. Heidi, our main Field Director, was so knowledgeable in all areas. Lots of local input and personal anecdotes. She was just fantastic."

    – Momblod, MD
  • "Our twin daughters experienced their first trip abroad on the EF Study Abroad program. I must say that the trip was flawless. Not only did it combine the perfect mix of study and pleasure, but our girls felt safe and secure the whole trip. It was their first trip with EF but not their last. Because of the great time they had on this trip, we allowed them to go on another."

    – Momoftwins, NC

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