COVID-19 Information

At COWA, our number one priority is ensuring the health and safety of our students while abroad –– this is why our team has developed the following protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that conditions are much improved compared to previous years, but still, we want to ensure that we are aware that COVID-19 has not ceased to exist, which is why we strive for clear communication in order to offer assurance to students and families. We continue adapting our COVID protocols and rules to the codes of conduct and protocols established by the Spanish Health Ministry and local Sevillian authorities.  
These protocols will allow students to make the most of their experience abroad while assuring their health and safety. These measures aim to address fundamental aspects of the abroad experience such as academics, housing, travel, and health, that may be impacted as a result of COVID-19. Our policies and protocols have been developed based upon resources from the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. State Department, and the Spanish Ministry of Health, and we will continuously consult these resources to guarantee our measures remain up to date and in line with expert, scientific guidelines. 
We encourage students and families to further inform themselves using the tools available from the WHO, CDC, U.S. State Department and the Spanish Ministry of Health.
Additional queries regarding COWA’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, can be directed to: contact@cowa.es.

FAQs

Health & Safety

What will students' living situation be while in Seville?
  • Students will live with Spanish families in homestays or in student residences of their choice.
  • We continue adapting our COVID protocols and rules to the codes of conduct and protocols established by the Spanish Health Ministry and local Sevillian authorities.
How does COWA maintain clean and safe facilities?
  • All classrooms, offices and study spaces at COWA headquarters use DucFit, a patented air filtering system by CleanAir that eliminates more than 99.9% of viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces
  • All classrooms will also contain hand sanitiser and disinfecting materials. They will be disinfected after each class
Will students have access to COVID-19 testing?
  • All students will have access to COVID-19 testing through the local pharmacies, which have significantly lowered their prices.
What are COWA's travel and daily life policies in regards to COVID-19?
  • There are no longer any restrictions due to COVID-19, the only times you will be required to use a mask is when entering a health care center or a pharmacy.
  • In regards to voluntary international travel, students will be subject to those imposed by the Spanish government and other foreign authorities.

Academics & Refunds

Will I be eligible to receive a refund if I voluntarily withdraw from the program?
  • Students voluntarily withdrawing from a program less than 14 days before the program’s official arrival date will be eligible for a refund of recoverable costs as determined by COWA at the time of their written withdrawal notice
  • Students voluntarily withdrawing on or after the program’s official arrival date will receive no refund
  • Students voluntarily withdrawing from a program after the program’s arrival date due to a serious illness (not pandemic related), injury or a serious family medical emergency are eligible to receive recoverable cost refunds. All emergency withdrawals must be documented in writing by a physician and approved in advance in consultation with COWA and our partner universities. The amount of any possible recoverable cost refund will be determined on a case-by-case basis in the sole discretion of COWA