Health & Safety Alerts

There is currently a state of emergency in Ecuador that has been in place for the past year. Most recently, on Friday, January 4th Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa extended the state of emergency another 60 days in seven provinces and three municipalities, citing escalating internal unrest and armed conflict as the country begins the campaign for presidential and congressional elections. 

While there has been unrest in some parts of the country, the situation has remained calm where our students are located in the Galápagos Islands and at USFQ in Cumbaya, and has remained calm in these areas over the last few months as well.

The following information and safety steps have been shared with students:

• Keep your cellphone charged and with data at all times and emergency contact information on hand
• Reach out to IES Abroad staff immediately in case of any uncertainties or emergencies
• Please follow the local news information from official channels and disregard rumors or false news
• Review your emails and WhatsApp groups, for any updates from Quito Center staff
• Enter your independent travel plans on Trip Tracker

Our Crisis Management Team has been following the events in Ecuador very closely, and we have experienced colleagues on the ground that we work with to help maintain the health and safety of all students. As more information is available, we will continue to keep this page updated.

In light of recent events and activities around the world that have sparked demonstrations, this is a reminder that we strongly advise students studying abroad to avoid participating in local protests or demonstrations. 

Laws and customs regarding freedom of speech and assembly differ widely around the world. Unlike in the United States, many countries do not offer the same protections, and participation in protests could result in serious consequences, including arrest.

For the safety of all students, the IES Abroad Center is required to follow up with any individual if they learn that any IES Abroad student has violated our advice and was involved in a protest or demonstration. If students violate our advice and/or local/national law, they may be subject to an administrative review from IES Abroad. 

Safety Tips & Resources:

• Avoid large gatherings, protests, and demonstrations, even if they seem peaceful.
• Keep your phone charged and with you at all times. IES Abroad must be able to reach you by phone for emergency purposes.
• Save your IES Abroad Center’s daytime and emergency phone numbers in your mobile phone.
• Familiarize yourself with your host country’s emergency numbers.
• Always respond to emergency communication messages from your Center. All students must respond to emergency messages from your Center staff at all times. Failure to do so may result in administrative  review.

Your health and safety is our top priority. Throughout the semester, your Center staff will continue to keep you informed about health and safety matters at your location.  If they become aware of a concern, they will communicate with you directly to help keep you aware and prepared. If you have any questions or concerns about this message, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Center Staff.  They are very willing to be of assistance to you.

Independent Travel Ban 

The health and safety of IES Abroad students is our highest priority. Regretfully, the conflicts in Ukraine and in Gaza continue. As such, IES Abroad will continue to prohibit independent student travel to these locations and their surrounding areas.  

To ensure student health and safety, IES Abroad (including IES Internships, and our Customized & Faculty-Led programs) will continue its complete travel ban for Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, and the greater Middle East, which includes Palestine, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Travel to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine (including Poland) must be approved in advance.  

Be advised of the following: 

• These regulations can be changed at any time as circumstances require.
• Students must monitor all communication from IES Abroad for updates to this policy.
• If a student's home campus prohibits travel outside of the host country, those students are not permitted to travel elsewhere at all (except for going home).

This is a matter of the utmost importance. Students who violate this directive on travel to Eastern Europe and the greater Middle East may be dismissed from their IES Abroad program. Questions about this policy can be directed to the Dean of Students Office in Chicago or the Center Director for their program abroad. 

Our shanghai programs are currently suspended:

• Shanghai - Economy, Business & Society
• Shanghai - Engineering
• Shanghai Summer – Engineering
• Shanghai Summer - Intensive Language
• Shanghai Summer – Engineering Internship
• Shanghai Summer – Internship Program

We continue to monitor the situation, and will continue to keep this page up to date with the latest information.