The following alerts are to the best of ISA’s knowledge gathered from direct observation, U.S. Department of State recommendations, Overseas Security Advisory Council reports, CDC and WHO guidance, and expert consultation. Information is subject to change.
For alerts related to ISA locations in Africa, Europe, and Latin America, click here.
Brisbane, Gold Coast
March 9th, 2025
As of Sunday, March 9th, the southeastern region of Queensland and northeastern region of New South Wales, Australia continues to recover from Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Internet and electricity outages remain widespread with continued rain and flooding expected. While some disruptions are still being reported, businesses and services in the cities of Brisbane and Gold Coast have started to return to normal operations and the shelter in place order has been lifted.
TEAN host universities in Brisbane and Gold Coast have delayed the resumption of in-person delivery. Classes at University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology are closed until Wednesday, with no classes scheduled virtually or in-person. Griffith University and Bond University campuses are closed until Wednesday morning, but classes are available virtually. Students have been advised to contact their professors if they are unable to attend digitally for any reason.
The TEAN Brisbane and Gold Coast resident staff continues to be in touch with all students and providing them with any significant updates as information is received. We will continue to monitor the impacts of the ex-tropical cyclone and update this alert, as necessary.
March 4th, 2025
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the southeast Queensland coast on Thursday, March 6th. In anticipation of the strong winds, heavy rain, and potential storm surge, all TEAN host institution campuses in Brisbane and Gold Coast, Australia will be closed from Wednesday, March 5th – Sunday, March 9th.
Ferry service in Brisbane will be suspended until further notice in order to move vessels to secured areas ahead of the storm. Most trains, buses, and other public transport in the region are currently operational but may be suspended as officials assess the conditions closely.
TEAN resident staff in Brisbane and Gold Coast have been in communication with all students to help prepare for the storm. Students have been advised to remain at home, follow the directives of local authorities, and be in touch with their loved ones at home. Pre-planned TEAN activities for this coming weekend have also been canceled. TEAN will continue to monitor the situation and advise students, as necessary.
Townsville
February 2nd, 2025
Heavy rains that started on Friday, January 31st, have caused significant flooding in northern Queensland, including Townsville, where some areas of the city are under evacuation advisories. Local public transportation operations have been suspended and the Townsville airport has been closed until Monday, February 3rd. Local authorities have advised residents to remain at home and off roads.
TEAN resident staff have been in communication with students participating in TEAN’s program in Townsville at James Cook University (JCU). TEAN student accommodations are not in a current evacuation zone, though the university has plans in place should the situation change. The campus of JCU is closed on Monday, February 3rd. TEAN will continue to monitor the situation and advise students, as necessary.
Sydney
April 13th, 2024
On Saturday afternoon, April 13th, a fatal knife attack occurred at the Westfield Mall in the Sydney Bondi Junction area. Sydney police neutralized the suspect and secured the area around the scene. Local authorities did not immediately disclose a motive for the crime; however, initial reports indicate they do not suspect it to be terrorism related.
The TEAN Sydney resident staff has advised all students to avoid the area of the incident, follow directives of local authorities, and check in with their loved ones at home. All TEAN students who live in the Bondi Junction area are safe and accounted for. TEAN will continue to advise students and update this alert, as necessary.
Nationwide
December 4th, 2024
As of the early morning hours (local time), President Yoon Suk Yeol has lifted the martial law order after all present members of South Korea’s parliament voted down the measure.
All classes are continuing as planned and no major disruptions to public transportation have been reported at this time. Students have been advised to avoid all protests; pay attention to local news and updates from authorities; share any travel plans with their resident director; and reach out to TEAN with any concerns.
TEAN will continue to work closely with our ground team and will update this Worldwide Alert, as needed.
Nationwide
December 3rd, 2024
Late on Tuesday evening local time, December 3rd, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared emergency martial law amid internal political tensions in the country. The move spurred protests outside the National Assembly building, which houses South Korea’s congress, and in other areas of Seoul. The National Assembly subsequently adopted a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law.
At this time, the duration of the declaration remains unclear and detailed plans of implementations have not been provided. According to local reports, the decision does not, however, appear to be in relation to any conflict between North and South Korea.
TEAN resident staff have been in communication with all students in the country and will share updates from their host institutions regarding academic expectations. Students have been advised to follow directions of Korean authorities and avoid public demonstrations. At this time, there are no changes to programs in South Korea. TEAN continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates to students and this Worldwide Alert, as necessary.
Seoul
July 1st, 2024
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday, July 1st, a fatal vehicular incident occurred when a car drove into a group of pedestrians waiting at an intersection near Seoul’s city hall. The driver of the vehicle was quickly detained by police. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the incident, but it does not immediately appear to be terror-related.
At this time, there is no indication that any TEAN students were present at the time of the incident. The TEAN Seoul resident staff have reached out to all students, asked them to check in, and to avoid the area. TEAN will continue to monitor the incident and will continue to advise students, as necessary.
Tokyo
January 1st, 2024
In the early evening of January 1st (local time), a series of earthquakes (ranging from 5.7 to 7.6 magnitude) occurred off the west coast of Japan in Ishiwaka prefecture. The tremors were centered approximately 250 miles from Tokyo. Damage to buildings, power outages, and disruption to public transportation have been reported throughout the country. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for the prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama, but authorities indicate the threat has largely passed.
TEAN resident staff in Tokyo confirmed the earthquakes caused no immediate damage in the city. Currently, there are no active TEAN programs in Japan and we do not anticipate any impact on our Spring 2024 programs in Tokyo. WorldStrides will continue to monitor the situation and update this Worldwide Alert accordingly.
Bangkok
October 3rd, 2023
In the late afternoon hours of October 3rd, a deadly shooting occurred at the popular Siam Paragon mall in central Bangkok. Local authorities quickly secured the scene and apprehended the suspect in the attack, whose motives remain unknown. A subway station attached to the mall was briefly closed but has since reopened.
All TEAN Bangkok students are safe and accounted for. The TEAN resident staff has advised students avoid the immediate area around the mall and to check in with their families at home. TEAN will monitor all developments and update this alert accordingly.
For further information, please refer to TEAN’s Health and Safety section, particularly the information regarding the monitoring of world-wide security levels.
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