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Kaya Statement on Coronavirus Outbreak

In response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, Kaya’s emergency response team is monitoring the situation as it evolves, around the world.

Currently, some of Kaya’s locations are affected by travel bans and restrictions.
For updates on all Kaya locations, and more information about COVID 19, check out our insights page here.

Our risk assessment team are continuously monitoring the travel landscape as we reopen our countries, one by one. As we do so, we remain aware that there is a lot of uncertainty at this time. To date, there is uncertainty around when a vaccine will be available to the public in each country, and how governments around the world may amend their travel restrictions in line with this. We recognize that some educational institutions are taking precautionary measures and may continue to restrict their approval of programs within certain locations. For many of the institutions we work with, we have been advised that the main sources of information directing decisions to travel are Department of State travel warnings and CDC Travel health notices.


As countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with travel and border restrictions, both the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the U.S. Department of State advise British and American nationals of the health threats within specific locations. Other nationals should identify their local government resources for guidance.


Participants and their families should also be aware of the following, given the dynamic and changing situation;

  • Your home government and/or host country governments can implement travel restrictions, institute quarantines, and activate additional border screening processes at any time’.
  • Flight carriers can announce the suspension of travel routes into and out of a country at any time.
  • A home university may choose to call students home at any time.
  • Where flights are affected, airlines will typically provide refunds or work with travelers to assist with rerouting. Where universities make an institutional decision, the institution will provide support to students affected to make arrangements.

What is Kaya’s policy if I am unable to attend my program?

We have revised our standard terms and conditions to enable greater flexibility for our participants during this challenging time.

For 2021 we will be applying the Kaya Amended Coronavirus Terms:  Kaya ACT.

Under Kaya ACT  the following will apply;

  • Application: New program applicants will be asked to complete a program application and make a payment of US$95/UK£75. This fee will be deducted from your total program fees. This is a non-refundable fee that enables us to process your application and ensures we work to match you with the best possible placement for your skills, interest, and needs. In the event that the application is rejected by Kaya, this payment will be returned in full.

  • Confirmation: Once a placement is offered, you will have the option to confirm your placement and dates, and reserve your space with a confirmation fee of  GBP £150 / USD $250. During the COVID pandemic, this payment will not be requested until travel to that country is possible (the host country borders open to you, and your home country is allowing travel to the host country). This fee will be deducted from your total program fees. Until your confirmation fee is received we cannot guarantee your space on the program.
    If you decide to cancel, for any reason, any time up to 61 days before travel, we will provide a 50% refund, less application fee and bank fees.
    If the travel status of your program changes prior to your travel dates, and those are likely to interrupt your travel at your booked program time, we will provide a full refund, less application fee, and bank fees.
    A small number of our programs have an additional deposit applied by our in-country project partners. You will be notified of this on initial inquiry if this exists for your program. These additional deposits are non-refundable in all cases but can be applied to future participation for that specific placement if your placement dates need to be moved.
  • Final payment: Payment of all remaining program fees are due 60 days prior to your program start date. Payments not received by this deadline may result in the cancellation of your program or a late payment surcharge of GBP £35 / USD $60.
    If the travel status of your program changes prior to your travel dates, and those are likely to interrupt your travel at the booked program time, we will provide a full refund, less application fee, and bank fees.
    Under our standard terms, if you decide to cancel within 60 days of your program start, no refunds will be provided.  Under Kaya ACT, for programs planned for 2021, we will be providing a more flexible cancelation policy. For programs with start dates in 2021, if you decide to cancel between 60-31 days prior to travel, a 50% refund less application fee and bank fees will be provided. Some programs are exempt from this flexible arrangement, and you will be notified of this upon booking. After 30 days, no refunds will be provided.

  • Date Flexibility – Participants will be permitted to change program dates any time until 2 weeks prior to departure, for any reason, for no additional fees. Last-minute changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis. New dates will be subject to availability. Programs being delayed to a future year may incur program fee increases. Dates must be changed prior to payment deadlines for “payment due” dates to be amended.

We hope that under Kaya ACT we can support our participants through these uncertain times.

For any further questions or clarification on your situation, contact our Kaya placements team