Announcements : All

The U.S. Department of State has suspended new passport applications requesting an "X" sex marker, or applications seeking to change a sex marker on an existing passport.  Existing passports with an X marker will remain valid for travel until their expiration date. More details may be found on the Department of State website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/sex-marker.html

Please notify an Education Abroad staff member if you are affected by these changes.  We also encourage students needing additional support to reach out to the Center for Student Health & Well-Being and/or CSDI.

The European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to begin its phased launch on October 12, 2025. This is a major shift from current procedures and will affect how our non-EU individuals, including U.S. citizens, enter and exit 29 European countries for short stays.

The changes will include digital biometric data collection (fingerprints and facial images) and enhanced border security. This applies to all non-EU nationals traveling for short stays, including those who are visa exempt. This system will be gradually implemented over six months; travelers should be aware they may encounter increased wait times or delays during this period.

Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.

Recent updates from the U.S. Department of State may affect visa renewals for international students traveling outside the U.S. or their home country. The new policy states that applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. If you are an international student considering study abroad, please contact ISE for more details.

Interested in studying abroad on one of our approved CET programs? Learn more about CET programs by joining one of their live virtual webinars below. If you can’t join them live, register anyway, and they'll send you a link to the webinar recording the following day.

CYA will be hosting a series of virtual information sessions for students interested in studying abroad in Greece! The first session is this Thursday, October 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET and will provide an overview of all CYA programs. There will be hosting five additional sessions throughout the fall, including several specifically focused on Summer Programs. Register online now!

• October 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET – All Programs


• October 8 at 5:00 p.m. ET – Summer Programs


• October 21 at 5:00 p.m. ET – All Programs


• November 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET – Summer Programs


• November 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET – All Programs


• December 9 at 4:00 p.m. ET – Summer Programs

Boren Scholarships offer up to $25,000 for U.S. undergraduates to study critical languages abroad in regions essential to national security. In exchange, scholars commit to working at least one year in the federal government after graduation. Prospective applicants can attend upcoming live webinars hosted by the Boren Awards to learn about application requirements, essay strategies, and language initiatives.
Register for a webinar now!

The application for the U.S. Department of State’s 2027 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is now open! Apply by November 17. Visit clsscholarship.org for more details. U.S. leadership abroad—in commerce, global affairs, and security—rests on Americans who can navigate other languages and cultures with expertise and fluency. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program delivers intensive summer language instruction to high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students, selected through a competitive, merit-based process. Languages offered in 2027 include Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Persian, Portuguese, and Swahili.

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