We are working toward the full resumption of in-person learning, which will be delivered with comprehensive safety protocols in place. Expect the majority of academic activities to be offered on campus with some (e.g., Clinical Skills sessions and Anatomy Labs) having mandatory on-site components and others having the option to attend in-person or participate virtually.

Yes, all medical sciences students, including newly accepted students and continuing students must be in Barbados for the September 2021 term.

No, RUSM is requiring all medical sciences students to be in Barbados for the September 2021 semester. If you are not able to travel for the upcoming term, please contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@rossu.edu to discuss a leave of absence and/or deferral options.

No, this will be a full return, meaning all medical sciences students are required to be in Barbados at the start of the semester. In-person clinical skills practice and training are particularly important for students who will soon enter hospital sites to begin clinical rotations.

Many of our campus facilities and services are currently open and will remain open for the September term provided it is safe and in alignment with local government protocols: 

• Study spaces at LESC and Coverley (Admin Building 1 and Town Square) 
• Clinical Skills Labs 
• Anatomy Labs and Medical Sciences Labs 
• Classroom spaces for live academic sessions and exams 
• ATL multipurpose rooms for faculty office hours and mentor/mentee meetings 
• IT and Student Services 
• Cafeteria and Coffee Bean 
• Shuttle services to and from campus 

RUSM has redesigned our campus spaces in accordance with CDC-recommended safety protocols. Common areas have been outfitted with physical barriers and hand-sanitizing stations, and signage is posted throughout campus to promote social and physical distancing. We are regularly cleaning and disinfecting all campus facilities and require the use of facemasks on campus (inside and outdoors at LESC and Coverley administrative buildings) and a daily health assessment (via the RUSM Safe App) prior to entry. See below for instructions on how to download the RUSM Safe App.

The RUSM Safe App is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

At Coverley Village, students can access study spaces at Town Square and in Admin Building 1. On campus at LESC, students can study classrooms and the anatomy and medical sciences labs when they are not in use. The Library is also designated for quiet study space.

We are planning for exams to be administered in-person on campus. To ensure proper social distancing is in place, students will be divided into groups. Group 1 will take exams while group 2 is sequestered. Groups will rotate throughout the semester.

Yes, Town Square businesses have reopened. Customers must follow each business’s safety protocols and face masks continue to be required by the Barbados government in all public spaces (indoors and outside).

This guide will help you throughout your quarantine stay. It provides delivery services and other helpful information to keep you and our community safe during this time.

All students must be cleared from quarantine and checked into campus by Monday, September 13, 2021. For fully vaccinated* students, we recommend arriving to Barbados by no later than Saturday, September 11 to accommodate a one- to two-day quarantine.

If you are planning to quarantine with RUSM at Coverley, you must arrive during our approved travel windows:

• New students: August 12-13, 15, 17-19, 22, 26-29 
• Continuing students: August 26-September 11 

Students approved for an exemption from our COVID-19 vaccine policy will need to observe a 7-10- day quarantine upon arrival to Barbados. Please build that timing into your travel plans and make sure you can be cleared from quarantine by September 13, 2021.   
 

*Fully vaccinated means two weeks after your final vaccination dose 

You must physically check into campus (LESC or Coverley) by the end of the day on September 13. This means you must be cleared and out of quarantine by September 13. Any student who misses this deadline is subject to a $200 late fee.

The length of your quarantine depends on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated (it has been more than two weeks after your last vaccination dose), plan to arrive to Barbados by no later than September 11. If you’ve been approved for an exemption from our COVID-19 vaccine policy, plan to arrive by no later than August 29.

If you experience an emergent issue or an unavoidable conflict that delays your travel, contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@rossu.edu as soon as possible to discuss taking an ELOA/STPL.

If you are quarantining with RUSM at Coverley village, please update the travel section of the Housing Portal or notify housing@rossu.edu with your adjusted plans. Failure to provide accurate information may cause delays or even jeopardize your ability to quarantine at Coverley.

If you experience an emergent issue or an unavoidable conflict that delays your ability to check into campus by September 13, contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@rossu.edu as soon as possible to discuss taking an ELOA/STPL. If your delay is vaccination-related, please contact equity@adtalem.com in addition to studentaffairs@rossu.edu.

Yes, all international travelers must quarantine before being able to move about the island. The length of your mandatory quarantine is dependent on your vaccination status and how quickly your post-arrival PCR test results are released.

Yes, vaccinated travelers are still required to quarantine but that quarantine period is shorter than unvaccinated travelers. At present, vaccinated travelers are required to take a rapid COVID-19 PCR test at the airport upon arrival and must then quarantine while awaiting the results, which are typically emailed within 24 hours. After receiving a negative test result, RUSM will clear you to enter your permanent housing.

Yes, everyone who leaves Barbados and re-enters the country must follow the entry protocols, including proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within three (3) days of arrival and a quarantine once on island.

A full list of entry protocols is available at https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2021.  

Yes, student housing at Coverley is recognized by the Barbados government as an approved quarantine site. If you are interested in quarantining at Coverley, make sure to apply for a “quarantine home” assignment as a part of your housing application. You can also elect to quarantine off-campus and at your own expense at one of the approved sites listed at https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2021.

Companions and/or family members who will be living with you in Barbados are welcome to quarantine at Coverley if fully vaccinated*. Companions, like students, will be charged $50 to use our quarantine homes. Alternatively, you and your companion can choose to quarantine at a government-approved quarantine accommodation at your own expense.

Remember, non-students moving to Barbados with you will need to submit separate immigration documents to extend their visitor status after your student visa has been issued. If you have questions about this process, email immigration@rossu.edu.  

*Fully vaccinated means two weeks after your final dose 

No, only long-term companions who will be living with you for the semester are allowed to quarantine at Coverley. If you have a short-term guest coming to visit or help you move, they will need to quarantine at one of the government-approved facilities listed at https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2020.

Yes, vaccinated travelers will have a $50 charge posted to their student account and unvaccinated travelers will have a $350 charge, which covers costs associated with your PCR test, utilizes, security and a welcome pack for your quarantine period.

Family units of two or more individuals will be charged $50 per person.  

The earliest you can move into permanent semester housing is on August 12 for new students and August 26 for continuing students.

Students who wish to quarantine off campus at an approved hotel can start moving into RUSM housing on August 13 (new students) and August 27 (current/continuing students). Please note the Housing Office can only accommodate move-ins on Monday-Friday.

RUSM will provide a welcome package to assist with the first 24-hours. Students may also utilize delivery services to order meals from a variety of restaurants. All payments for delivery services must be done online and students must not attempt to interact or tip delivery agents in-person while in quarantine. Deliveries will be dropped off on the front porch and you should wait for the delivery person to leave before retrieving your items.  

The Barbados government maintains a list of approved quarantine facilities at https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2021. Facilities include hotels, resorts, cottages, guest houses, vacation rentals, and apartment complexes.

The Marriott Courtyard Bridgetown, an approved quarantine site, is offering RUSM students a discounted rate of $124 USD/night. You can reserve a room here. Reservations must be made by 11:59 pm ET on September 10, 2021.   

Please note that if you quarantine outside of Coverley, you will be responsible for transportation to and from the alternative location.

If you provide us with 4-days advance notice, we will be able to check you into your semester-assigned housing beginning August 27. Please note the Housing Office can only accommodate move-ins on Monday-Friday.

No, due to the limited availability of quarantine homes for the large group of students traveling to Barbados this Fall, we are unable to quarantine students currently on island who leave for break. You can, however, quarantine at a government-approved hotel or facility. A list of approved venues is available at https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2021.

Due to the complexities of managing quarantine arrangements, we are unable to take roommate requests. 

No but many health centers, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies offer the nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab PCR test required by Barbados. If you are in an area of the United States or Canada where this test is hard to find, you can order a stay-at-home test kit from StageZero Life Sciences for a fee. StageZero will then coordinate for a mobile phlebotomist to take a nasal sample at your house. For more information, visit https://www.stagezerolifesciences.com/barbados.html. 

Yes but you do not need a visa for your initial travel/entry to Barbados. The RUSM Immigration team will help procure your visa after you arrive. 

The Government of Barbados has specific immigration requirements for all non-nationals to enter and stay on the island. As someone traveling to Barbados for educational purposes, you will need to need to eventually obtain a student visa. For RUSM to facilitate that process, you must submit all required documents to the RUSM Immigration team by your advised deadlines.

The application for your student visa will begin processing after you check into campus in Barbados and have submitted any additional required documents (if applicable) to the RUSM Immigration team.

Visa applications are approved by the Barbados Immigration Office in batches. Once your visa has been approved, you will be sent instructions of how and when to submit your passport to the RUSM Immigration team for stamping. The RUSM Immigration team will coordinate the stamping schedule with the Barbados immigration department. Stamped passports are returned to students within 2 weeks of submission. 

If you submitted your visa documents through the Complio platform, you are required to submit your original or official certified/notarized birth certificate and, where applicable, marriage certificate to the RUSM Immigration team.

Your visa document will not be returned to you. You will receive further information after you arrive on island. 

Email immigration@rossu.edu with any questions or to request an advising session. 

RUSM Is not responsible for the compliance or processing of immigration documents for non-students.

All visitors to Barbados are responsible for knowing the length of time on their visitor visa and work to extend this status accordingly. The Barbados Immigration Office has notified RUSM that visitors will receive an initial three (3) months of validity for their stay. The time of the initial validity is at the discretion of that office.

As these policies can change at any time, visitors should discuss the length of their visitor visa upon arrival into Barbados while speaking with an immigration officer. It is the responsibility of the visitor to facilitate this compliance with the Barbados Immigration office directly.

Please contact immigration@rossu.edu if you would like an advising session to support planning.

Yes, unless you are a new, incoming first semester student. Continuing medical sciences students can choose to live on-campus or arrange off-campus housing for the duration of their time on island.

“Quarantine home” refers to the unit and room where you will complete your quarantine period. Some students will quarantine in the same home that they will live in for the semester while other students will need to move into a new housing assignment after their quarantine has been completed. “Permanent home” refers to the unit and room where you will live for the duration of the semester.

The RUSM Housing Portal is now closed for quarantine home and permanent semester housing applications. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Housing team at housing@rossu.edu.

The Housing Office will send out room assignments (both quarantine and permanent) one week prior to your arrival date.  

Yes, you will be able to stay in your current unit with your current roommates for the September 2021 semester. If you would like to change your unit, we will allow students to do on our housing swap day (date to be determined) before the semester ends.

Yes, you and your long-term companion(s) have options when it comes to student housing. You can apply for an entire home for your family (a 3-bedroom unit) or for a shared room in a home with other RUSM students. To discuss family home options, please email housing@rossu.edu.

Due to the complexities of managing quarantine arrangements, we are not able to take roommate requests for the September 2021 semester. You will have the opportunity to switch units and/or roommates later in the semester. If you are traveling with a dependent or long-term companion, please indicate that on your housing application so we can room you together.

The housing department will contact you via email with your room assignment and roommate details one week before you depart for Barbados.

For those who have opted to move into the Village of Coverley, we will make every attempt to keep you in the same home throughout your time on the island. We are uncertain what the quarantine requirements will be in future semesters but are creating housing assignments for this semester that will give us the best chance of avoiding displacement during future arrivals. 

Yes, you can return to your home country to complete the vaccination process if there is an opportunity.

We understand a trip home may mean you cannot comply with the August 28 vaccination deadline. Please send an email, stating your individual situation and projected timeline for completion to equity@adtalem.com. You will then receive an exemption request form, which you will need to submit for approval. 

If you cannot wait to leave until after your mandatory in-person activity, please notify Student Affairs (studentaffairs@rossu.edu) to receive approval to attend a session remotely, prior to finalizing your travel arrangements. 

Students must notify Student Affairs prior to leaving the island. Before finalizing your travel arrangements, please notify Student Affairs. If you are living in RUSM housing, read the next set of FAQs for housing-related procedures.  

Yes, please contact the Housing team at housing@rossu.edu and the Student Affairs team at studentaffairs@rossu.edu.  

No, you do not need to return your keys if you plan to return for the September semester. You will need to notify the Housing team at housing@rossu.edu about your departure and prepare your room for deep cleaning by moving all floor items to the cupboards or on your bed and securing all valuables. 

If you are leaving Barbados and do not plan to return for the September semester, please notify the Housing team at housing@rossu.edu as soon as possible. The team will direct you on next steps including returning your keys and removing your personal belongings.  

Please plan to return to island fully vaccinated by September 11 so you can enter the campus by our semester check-in date of September 13. As a reminder, fully vaccinated means two weeks have passed since the final dose of your COVID-19 vaccine. 

To be fully vaccinated means waiting two full weeks after the second dose of the vaccine (or after the first dose, if it’s Johnson & Johnson). If you do not wait the full two weeks, you will be considered unvaccinated upon your return to Barbados and will be required to quarantine for at least six days, per the government’s entry protocols.  

Yes, at this time the Barbados government requires fully vaccinated visitors to take a rapid PCR test at the airport, upon your arrival. You are expected to quarantine until you receive negative test results, which typically takes 24-48 hours.*  

*Barbados entry protocols are fluid and subject to change. Students are advised to regularly monitor the government website for the most up-to-date information.

While we are looking for options to support students returning to Barbados, quarantine spaces at Coverley may not be available as we prepare to house new incoming students. We ask that you plan to quarantine at a government-approved venue unless we communicate otherwise.  

You can review a list of approved quarantine hotels and resorts here. RUSM has also confirmed a discounted group student rate at  Marriott Courtyard Bridgetown, which is an approved quarantine site near the beach and about 10 minutes from campus. To reserve a room at our discounted rate of $124 USD/night, click here. Reservations must be made by 11:59 pm ET on August 9, 2021.  

Note: This rate is only available for stays between August 17 and September 10, 2021. You must provide your student ID or enrollment/acceptance letter upon arrival as proof of your RUSM affiliation. 

If you were already on island and left for a quick trip home, you will return to your assigned space once you have cleared hotel quarantine. If you are a new student, you can begin check in on August 13. Continuing students can begin check in from August 27. Please contact the housing team at housing@rossu.edu in advance of your move-in date so we can plan accordingly. 

Note: We will be able to move you into your permanent Coverley housing Monday through Friday. If you are cleared from quarantine on a Saturday or a Sunday, please plan to stay at your hotel until Monday morning. 

Please request an extension from equity@adtalem.com and provide a brief explanation. If approved, contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@rossu.edu so we can work with you and your faculty on a plan for any mandatory in-person activities. 

Students are expected to be back in Barbados prior to any mandatory activities, and by no later than September 13, to avoid being penalized. We will consider exceptions, however, for students who are granted a vaccine accommodation from equity@adtalem.com or who are approved for a leave of absence from Student Affairs. Please work directly with Student Affairs . 

We are collaborating with government officials to conduct another vaccine event and will keep you updated. You can also stay updated on Barbados vaccine appointments and open vaccination days here.  

We understand it may be difficult to meet the August 28 deadline given accessibility limitations in Barbados. Please send an email detailing your situation to equity@adtalem.com. 

Students who participated in RUSM’s vaccination drive in June should follow these instructions for their second dose: 

• If you attended the vaccination drive on Wednesday, June 2 at the Masonic Centre in St. George, you will be contacted via email or phone by August 11, 2021 for your follow-up appointment. If you are not contacted by then, visit or call Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic (536-4103) to schedule your second dose appointment. 
•  
• If you attended the vaccination drive on Thursday, June 3 at Sandals in Christ Church, plan to get your second dose at Sandals on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 10:00 am AST. 

We have implemented numerous protocols as part of our COVID-19 risk mitigation plan, including: 

• Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination
• Symptom screenings with temperature checks upon campus entry 
• Hand-sanitizer stations 
• Reduced capacity of common spaces 
• Mandatory face masks 
• Redirecting pedestrian traffic to utilize one-way routes 
• Physical barriers in student service areas 
• Random surveillance testing program

RUSM conducts random antigen testing of campus community members, including students, faculty and staff, twice a week to monitor trends and changes in the prevalence of COVID-19 on campus. Individuals are randomly selected and strongly encouraged to participate so RUSM can quickly isolate any asymptomatic cases and prevent further spread.  

Testing is administered Mondays and Wednesdays at LESC and Coverley. Participants are given a quick nasal swab and emailed their test results within 24 hours.

Yes. Because individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are still at risk of contracting and spreading variants of the virus, we are asking all campus community members to participate in random testing regardless of vaccination status.  

High touch points (e.g., handrails, elevator buttons, door handles, and push plates) are wiped every 30 minutes and all other surfaces are cleaned every four hours. The entire campus is deep cleaned on a nightly basis.

Positive COVID-19 patients will be referred to a government healthcare facility. Please review the Barbados Travel Guidelines for more information.

Capacity for the shuttles has been reduced to ensure social distancing. We are partnering with bus companies to ensure they are following CDC guidelines for proper cleaning of the shuttles. 

Students who were previously approved to waive Aetna insurance and will now be living in Barbados, will again have the opportunity to apply for a waiver. All students who will be living in Barbados will be required to have international coverage to be considered for an Aetna insurance waiver. Students will receive information on the opt-out process from the Student Accounts office. You can also email Bursar@Rossu.edu if you have any questions or if you do not receive information from the Student Accounts office.

Yes, you will be required to show your COVID-19 self-assessment at our campus entry points every time you visit campus. The QR code is valid for the entire day. However, should you develop symptoms after completing the assessment, please notify the campus safety and security team and leave the campus immediately. 

Medical care and/or medical emergencies for students in quarantine homes will be managed by the Coverley Medical Center. Positive COVID-19 patients will be referred to a government healthcare facility. 

Please review the Barbados Travel Guidelines for more information.

Please refer to the official supply list provided by the Admissions department. Bed linens can be purchased on the RUSM Housing Portal and students can purchase home goods at stores on island.

Coverley housing units come with all basic furnishings, including a full bed, nightstand, desk and chair, wardrobe/closet, desk lamp, hangers (18), window blinds, a dry erase board, couch, coffee table, kitchen table and chairs, and a fire extinguisher. Bathrooms are furnished with a shower curtain, shower rod, mop, plunger, and trash can. The kitchen of each home unit is outfitted with a stove, refrigerator, kettle, microwave, washer/dryer, plates, glasses, coffee cups, silverware, basic cooking utensils, pots and pans, mixing bowls, and trash cans.

As much as your flight will allow, which varies by carrier and origin/destination. Many airlines allow between two and three checked bags for a fee and some have additional options to pay for oversized or heavy items. Visit your specific airline for information on carry-on and checked luggage options.

If you have additional items that will not fit in your luggage, you can ship them in a container or barrel. RUSM students have used companies like Tropical Shipping and King Ocean Services in the past, which ship out of Miami.

For larger items or larger quantities of items, it may be more cost effective to ship a container or barrel. Students have used companies like Tropical Shipping and King Ocean Services in the past, which ship out from Miami.  

For smaller shipments, Aeropost and Ezone are popular services. These eCommerce companies allow you to purchase and ship from multiple retailers to Barbados. They handle shipping from the US, clearance through customs, and local delivery. FedEx International is also an option for shipments to and from Barbados. 

 Students living in Coverley Village should address their items using the following example:

• Name: John Doe
• Address Details: house number, village, Coverley Villages, Christ Church, Barbados, BB17091

Example:

• #6 Gooseberry
• Coverley Villages
• Christ Church, Barbados BB17091
• Contact details: 1 (Area code) 123 4567, myname@domain.com

Major airlines have been resuming flights to and from Barbados but back-and-forth travel is not recommended while quarantine protocols are in place.

Some students continue to use their current phone if their carrier has an international service option while other students choose to unlock their phone and switch out their SIM card for a local Barbados carrier. For this option, you will need to purchase a monthly or pay-as-you-go plan. There is also the option to download WhatsApp to your phone and make calls/SMS messages while connected to the internet.  

We suggest checking with your credit card company about foreign transaction fees as well as your bank about foreign ATM fees. With that information, you may choose to open a local account in Barbados or continue to use your current bank. There is a bank in Coverley and across the street from the main academic campus. Although some vendors only accept cash, most will accept a major credit card.

Yes, but please be aware of several travel and quarantine logistics. First, you will need to complete the required Pet Import Form for Barbados. Pets are also not allowed to quarantine at RUSM's quarantine houses in Coverley. If quarantining with RUSM, you will be required to board your pet until your quarantine is complete.

Alternatively, some approved quarantine hotels accept animals. Please review the resources on the Visit Barbados website to identify approved quarantine hotels and confirm you are able to quarantine with your pet before booking a reservation.  

After you submit your online Immigration and Customs forms, you will receive an email back from the Immigration office that contains two receipts; one you will show to the immigration officer, and one you will show to the customs agent at the airport.

In planning for the fall term and the return to in-person clinical experiences (including both standardized patients and in the clinical setting), it is necessary for students to remain up-to-date with their health documentation. Each health requirement has a distinct timeline for renewal. 

Health document resources can be found on the Student Timeline here.

We strongly recommend students get the flu vaccine before traveling to Barbados but you are not required to have it until January 2022. Supplies will be limited at the Coverley Clinic in Barbados once this year’s shot is available. 
 

All students are required to be vaccinated against influenza for the January term. If you do not get vaccinated at Coverley Clinic or before traveling to Barbados, please plan to complete this requirement as soon as you return home for the winter break.  

The Influenza vaccine is an annual requirement and will be needed again next year, along with your health assessment form and PPD teat.

If you are currently in Barbados, you can have your exams and lab tests done at the Coverley Clinic. They accept Aetna Insurance, our student carrier.   

If you are currently not in Barbados, do not wait to complete your health requirements. Find a local provider who can perform the needed exam/lab tests and get them done as soon as possible. The Aetna Student Insurance can help you find a provider in your area.   

Students whose health documents are non-compliant will not be able to register for 3X, 04, 4X, or 05 courses until they are compliant. Note that Complio needs one week to review submitted documentation before updating your account. Waiting to complete your health requirements will put you at significant risk of not being registered for the Fall 2021 term. 

Please reach out to RUSM’s Medical Science Health Compliance team at HospitalSupport@RossU.edu for assistance.  

Unfortunately, we have seen several instances where students mailed their fingerprints to Identico without creating an account; or mailed the fingerprint card to the wrong address.   
 

If Identico does not have an account for you by the time they receive your fingerprints, the card is destroyed. Please follow these instructions to ensure you successfully complete your background check. 

• Non-Florida Resident Fingerprint/background check process  
• Florida Resident Fingerprint/background check process   
• Barbados Fingerprint/background check process

It’s possible to have your fingerprints completed in Barbados but this is a very time intensive and expensive process. If you are currently not in Barbados, we strongly encourage you to complete your fingerprints before travel.