This page sums up what you need to know before going abroad on student exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the scale of the COVID-19 outbreak is continually changing, please keep track of the <a href="https://um.fi/matkustustiedotteet-a-o">travel alerts and warnings provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland</a> (in Finnish) and the guidelines issued by your host university and host country. It is important to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the public authorities and your host university. Please be aware that the instructions below are subject to change.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have, for example, the following effects on student exchange programmes:

<ul>
	<li>Your host university may temporarily shut down classes.</li>
	<li>Your host university may cancel courses or deliver the majority of courses remotely.</li>
	<li>Your host institution may suspend classes during your exchange.</li>
	<li>To prevent the spread of the virus, your host university (or the public authorities in your host country) may impose a 14-day quarantine rule on asymptomatic students arriving from abroad or make changes to students’ accommodation arrangements.</li>
	<li>To prevent the spread of the virus, your host university may screen asymptomatic students for COVID-19 symptoms by carrying out, for example, daily temperature checks.</li>
	<li>The recommendations and guidelines issued by the public authorities in your host country may also affect your student exchange. Your host country may, for example, impose restrictions on travellers who are arriving from or whose journey involves a transit stop in a specific country or region.</li>
</ul>

Impact of the pandemic on student exchange programmes

<ul>
	<li>Take out travel insurance that offers extensive coverage after you receive your letter of acceptance from your host university and have looked into possible travel restrictions that apply to your host country. When taking out insurance, make sure you are covered in an emergency.</li>
	<li>After you have received confirmation of your acceptance from your host university, make sure any flights you book can be changed or cancelled for a full refund.</li>
	<li>Make sure before any payments (such as deposit for your student housing etc.) that you have received a letter of acceptance and you are able to enter the country in question.</li>
	<li>Fill in a <a href="https://matkustusilmoitus.fi/public_html?command=browse&amp;lang=en">travel notification</a> before setting off. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland recommends Finnish citizens to file a travel notification before travelling abroad so they can be contacted in case of an emergency.</li>
	<li>When making arrangements ahead of your exchange, please be aware that your host university or country may inform you of a mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon your arrival.</li>
	<li>If you are going on Erasmus+ exchange, you will remain eligible for your Erasmus+ grant during a mandatory quarantine period. The quarantine will count towards the length of your exchange.</li>
	<li>Follow the <a href="https://um.fi/matkustustiedotteet-a-o">travel alerts and warnings provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland</a> (in Finnish), the <a href="https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/traffic-light-model-to-help-in-the-assessment-of-risks-associated-with-foreign-travel?redirect=%2Fen%2Fweb%2Finfectious-diseases-and-vaccinations">traffic light model for assessing the risks associated with foreign travel</a>, and the instructions provided by your host university, host country and the local Finnish embassy.</li>
	<li>The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland maintains the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nettikonsuli/">Nettikonsuli service</a> where you can ask questions about the safety of travelling.</li>
	<li>You should also carefully read the instructions on our intranet page <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=7778">Before student exchange</a>.</li>
</ul>

Preparing for your exchange studies abroad

<ul>
	<li>You have the option to cancel your student exchange without any time limit (please contact the International Mobility Services).</li>
	<li>You will not be able to postpone your exchange automatically to the upcoming semester/academic year, but will have to reapply in the application rounds.</li>
	<li>If your exchange is cancelled by your host university or you cancel it yourself, you will be responsible for any costs you may have already incurred relating to your exchange.</li>
	<li>Exchanges cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic will not reduce your chances of being selected for an exchange in our later application rounds.</li>
	<li>Please note that cancelling your exchange means you will not receive a travel grant or will have to pay it back.</li>
</ul>

Cancelling or postponing your exchange before your exchange period begins

<ul>
	<li>Please note that cancelling your exchange means you will not receive a travel grant or will have to pay it back.</li>
	<li>If your exchange is cancelled by your host university or you cancel it yourself, you will be responsible for any travel costs and other costs you may have incurred relating to your exchange.</li>
	<li>If your exchange is suspended after you have already arrived in your host country, please contact Tampere University’s International Mobility Services.</li>
	<li>If your host university offers you the option to complete your exchange virtually and you are interested in doing so, please contact the International Mobility Services.</li>
	<li>You will not receive a grant for a virtual exchange.</li>
	<li>Exchanges cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic will not reduce your chances of being selected for an exchange in our later application rounds.</li>
</ul>

Tampere University Student's Handbook

COVID-19 information for exchange studies abroad

Tampere University Student's Handbook

COVID-19 information for exchange studies abroad

OpenImpact of the pandemic on student exchange programmes

OpenPreparing for your exchange studies abroad

OpenCancelling or postponing your exchange before your exchange period begins

OpenCancelling or suspending your exchange after or before your exchange period begins