Our COVID-19 Response

Updated April 4, 2023

Carpe Diem continues to monitor how COVID-19 may affect travel advisories, border restrictions, and responsible community engagement. We reference trusted sources of information from the scientific community (CDC, WHO), government agencies (U.S. State Department, Overseas Security Advisory Council), our medical director, and local partners.

Carpe Diem has been offering meaningful in-person programming throughout the pandemic and we are very proud of our student outcomes. Read their travel stories on our blog.

We continue to take measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure for our students, staff, host organizations, and host communities. This includes: strongly recommending up-to-date COVID vaccinations for all participants, reviewing COVID protocols with enrolled students and staff, and ongoing consultation with our Medical and Risk Management team.

Please give us a call anytime if you have questions or would like more information: 503-285-1800.

"I recommend that every student who has even the slightest inclination to take a gap year to do it and do it with Carpe. Parents can feel confident about the Carpe leaders and staff — they are experienced and professional. For my student, the experience was educational, personally transformational, and of course, loads of fun."

- Parent of a Fall 2019 Latitudes Year Student

FAQs

How has Carpe Diem been monitoring the Coronavirus pandemic?

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We actively monitor reports from the CDC, the WHO, the US Department of State, the  Overseas Advisory Council, and our program partners on the ground in the regions where we work. We also encourage all students and parents to do their own research and obtain information from reliable sources such as the CDC and the WHO.

The Carpe Diem HQ team keeps a close eye on the sources mentioned above and will continue to proactively communicate with all of our enrolled students and parents.

What happens if I sign up for a Carpe Diem program and I decide later that I’m not comfortable traveling, or the program is canceled?

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We know that many students and families are looking for engaging, educational alternatives to virtual/online learning, and we look forward to working with you! 

Carpe Diem has been running in-person programs throughout the pandemic and we are confident in our ability to continue operating in this way. 

If you submit a deposit and withdraw from the program more than 90 days prior to departure, you will receive a full refund. 

Please contact our office directly with any questions about our refund policy.

Is a COVID-19 vaccine required to participate in a Carpe Diem program?

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We strongly recommend that all of our students and staff are up to date with their COVID vaccination as defined by the CDC

It is important to note that the COVID vaccine may be mandated by certain countries as an entry requirement. If this is the case, students will be expected to provide proof of COVID vaccination at least 2-weeks prior to program departure.

How do the new US State Department Level 4 Travel Warnings impact Carpe Diem?

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The U.S. Department of State has updated their travel advisories to align with recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This has resulted in many countries throughout the world being rated as Level 4: Do Not Travel.

When making decisions on where our groups will travel, Carpe Diem assesses each region based on multiple considerations. In the case that a Level 4 travel advisory is specific to COVID-19, Carpe Diem may decide to continue traveling to this region. As a means to mitigate risk of transmission, Carpe Diem is strongly recommending that all students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travel

We are taking into account unique challenges that come with travel during a global pandemic and are adapting our programs as needed to best mitigate risks to our students, staff, and local host communities.  We will continue to monitor all CDC and U.S. Department of State updates and recommendations and are prepared to make any necessary program adjustments to support the health and well-being of all program participants.

Where can I find more information about Carpe Diem’s response to COVID-19?

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Our team is always happy to connect with you to discuss any of your questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 and the impact on our programming. Please call our office (503-285-1800) or send us an email (info@carpediemeducation.org) anytime and we will respond as soon as possible.