Announcement: Health & Safety Updates: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Last Updated 4/1/2020
Please review new information for students, faculty and staff
The International Center continues to monitor the worldwide situation of the COVID-19 outbreak. The safety of our students and employees abroad and of international students and scholars on campus is our highest priority. We are in communication with the CSU, campus stakeholders, and San Luis Obispo County Public Health in our response to the novel coronavirus.
Students and Faculty Currently Abroad
- Cal Poly has suspended all current study abroad programs worldwide. Students and faculty currently abroad have been asked to make immediate plans to return to the U.S. Exceptions to this suspension have been considered for students who have medical reasons for the request.
- On March 19, the U.S. Department of State raised the Global Health Advisory to level - DO NOT TRAVEL.
- "U.S. citizens who [typically] live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period."
- President Trump issued a U.S. national state of emergency declaration on Friday, March 13.
Summer/Fall 2020 Study Abroad Programs
- On March 27, the International Center suspended all remaining summer programs (including all faculty-led programs outside of Europe and Asia, and all Affiliated Partner Programs) with start dates before August 1. This decision follows the March 18 announcement suspending summer faculty-led Global Programs in Europe and Asia
- Cal Poly has not restricted travel for fall programs abroad at this time. Students preparing for fall programs abroad should consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of State for ongoing recommendations.
- Program participants should wait to purchase airfare for fall programs as the situation develops. At the time of purchase, participants should strongly consider insuring their flights against trip disruption and/or cancellation or have fully refundable tickets.
- All faculty and staff international travel has been suspended until May 31, 2020. Faculty and staff who were to travel abroad must cancel plans for international travel immediately. International insurance coverage and fees will be reversed.
- International students are allowed to take all spring quarter classes virtually without any visa issues given the current circumstances.
- Students should consider emailing the faculty teaching their spring quarter classes to find out if the class sessions will be recorded. This is particularly important if you will be participating from a different time zone.
- All international students planning to be outside the U.S. during spring quarter are required to notify the International Center before April 6th.
- The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Health announced a shelter-at-home order effective 5 p.m. on March 19, and the State of California issued a stay-at-home order on March 20.
- Please note that U.S. health officials are continually updating requirements for screening and self-isolation or other quarantine/isolation once individuals arrive back in the U.S. County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Health continues to provide updates.
- Students, faculty and staff who are preparing to return home should visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional information regarding how to travel safely amidst growing concerns related to COVID-19.
- International Students and Scholars should contact intlservices@calpoly.edu.
- Study Abroad inquiries should be sent to abroad@calpoly.edu or specific study abroad advisors/coordinators.
- Faculty and staff international travel inquiries should be sent to intltrvl@calpoly.edu.
- Visit Cal Poly coronavirus information site for the latest campus information.
Faculty/Staff International Travel Requests
International Students & Scholars
Health Updates
Out of an abundance of caution and care, the International Center office is currently operating virtually and are happy to serve you in the following ways:
INTERNATIONAL CENTER
Study. Travel. Learn. Lead.
Be a Global Mustang! The Cal Poly International Center connects students with opportunities to study, intern and research abroad, supports international students and scholars, facilitates international travel for faculty and staff, and more.
News
Bi-Weekly International Center Newsletter
View current news from the International Center and Cal Poly Campus, including featured events.
Current International Newsletter
Events
Virtual Drop-In Advising for Study Abroad
Mon / Tues / Weds / Thurs
10:00-11:00 AM & 2:00-4:00 PM
April 13 - June 05
Drop-in advising will be conducted via Zoom. More information on how to access our drop-in advising sessions virtually.
An Equal World is an Enabled World, #EachforEqual
POSTPONED until Spring Quarter
Join us to hear panelists discuss their own experiences and learn more about what you can do to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, and improve situations for all.
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender equality. The day is a powerful reminder that despite ongoing initiatives designed to target major issues like education inequality, access to health care, job creation and equal pay - structural and social obstacles still persist.
Read More about the Women's Day Panel
See Less about the Women's Day Panel
Our Mission
The primary mission of the Cal Poly International Center is to provide leadership and coordination for international activities and to serve as the principal catalyst for internationalization efforts at Cal Poly.
The primary mission of the Cal Poly International Center is to provide leadership and coordination for international activities and to serve as the principal catalyst for internationalization efforts at Cal Poly. The IC maintains administrative authority and university-wide oversight of international engagement, including international initiatives, programs, and activities supported by the campus.
Our Vision
Cal Poly’s vision for internationalization is to provide foundational experiential learning, teaching, service and scholarship opportunities at home and abroad…
Cal Poly’s vision for internationalization is to provide foundational experiential learning, teaching, service and scholarship opportunities at home and abroad that will best equip graduates and the campus community at large to solve complex global challenges sustainably, ethically and inclusively.
Learn by Doing in a global context drives students, faculty and staff to critically evaluate themselves, their own cultures, their values and place in the world. It promotes growth in character, ability to handle ambiguity, reflexive and relative thinking, and ultimately, greater personal fulfillment. It fuels informed global systems thinkers and doers, and activates Cal Poly students to be positive forces in the world.
Cal Poly will become internationally recognized as a premier comprehensive polytechnic university that:
Makes evident its commitment to internationalization in its mission and vision statements.
Brings the world to Cal Poly and Cal Poly to the world through hiring internationally recognized faculty, maintaining standards of excellence in international programming, and empowering Cal Poly international students and students studying abroad to succeed.
Provides educational opportunities to develop global literacy through promoting proficiency in non-native languages at home and abroad and fostering world views that embrace openness, cre-ativity and respect.
Develops strategic international partnerships and new program-ming that meet the needs of diverse campus constituencies and that support destinations and disciplines underrepresented in study abroad.
Infuses the curriculum with globally relevant content and facilitates classroom dialogue that encourages cross-cultural understanding.
International Center Front Desk
Effective Tuesday, March 17
ClosedOur staff is working remotely
We are still available to assist you and will respond during normal business hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*Closed on campus holidays
- International Students and Scholars - email intlservices@calpoly.edu
- Study Abroad - email abroad@calpoly.edu
- Faculty & Staff international travel requests - email intltrvl@calpoly.edu
If you are a Cal Poly student, employee or visiting scholar experiencing an emergency, please seek immediate assistance by calling 911 (or the equivalent in your country). Then contact the Cal Poly University Police Department at 805-756-2281 for further assistance.
We want to bring the world to Cal Poly and Cal Poly to the World
- President Armstrong, Cal Poly
Giving
We are committed to access and eliminating barriers to international study. Join us in supporting students in international exchange as well as international initiatives at Cal Poly!
GivingCommittees
The primary purpose of the International Programs Committee is to review and recommend for approval of the Cal Poly International, for-credit study programs.
International CommitteesPartnerships
Cal Poly has partnered with multiple universities around the world to provide unique study abroad opportunities through our International Exchange programs.
International Partnerships