Over 300,000 American college students choose to study abroad for credit each year. Of that number, at least 50% of them decide to study in Europe. US News reported that early this week, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement asking higher education institutions to “consider postponing or cancelling student international travel programs” due to the coronavirus.
University of Denver student Hailey Evans, was just sent home from her abroad program in Madrid, Spain.
Evans was planning on studying there to supplement her Spanish minor for the rest of the academic year. She stated, “I’m really bummed about having to come home so early, but I have already gotten such a good experience out of everything and I’m glad I was able to return home safely.”
Upon returning to Denver, Evans will join the rest of the University of Denver student body in online class for the duration of spring quarter.
“I think it will be good to hopefully be able to be back with my friends and family and have time to reflect on my abroad experience as a whole,” said Evans.
The coronavirus pandemic has similarly cancelled programs at other universities, both public and private in recent weeks. In an article written for the University of Georgia’s student publication, Cavalier Daily, author Madison McNamee detailed the process of her school and program’s decision to return students home.
McNamee, who was studying in Florence, Italy wrote, “While I still dislike the outcome of my semester abroad, I am glad I am safe. I am glad I had the best two months, and I hope to return to Italy once the situation is better as the current situation in Italy is immensely upsetting.”
This same sentiment seems to be reflected by students around the world, as schools are opting to close or move online for the rest of the academic year. When asked about how she would feel if the University of Denver were to move classes online, Evans replied, “That would be hard, the thing that has kept me going returning home was knowing I could see my friends again, but if classes are online that might not even be possible.”
All of these issues are certainly weighing heavily on students around the US and the world, but institutions believe they are doing the right thing for the health of their communities.
Coronavirus is not only affecting study abroad programs by way of school cancellations, but also by way of international travel bans.
The United States have banned the entry of all foreign naturals who have traveled to “China, Iran, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or Ireland 14 days before their arrival.” The border between the US and Canada has also been closed.
With international travel severely limited and “social isolation” being the recommendation by the government and health care professionals, little is known as to when we can once again travel abroad safely. Decisions surrounding abroad travel and school closures are difficult to make given the amount that is known about the virus.
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has so far affected 179 countries and is spreading throughout those locations rapidly. Much of this is due to how little is known about the new virus and how to prevent and treat it.
Current research suggests that the pandemic could last for months or even a year. With this in mind, it is likely that study abroad programs for next year may be canceled, or postponed, as well.
In an email interview, a study abroad coordinator at the University of Oregon wrote, “We are waiting for further developments to make any decisions on study abroad programs for the 20/21 school year. Currently, all abroad programs scheduled for spring term have been cancelled.”
With so many unknowns regarding this pandemic, time seems to be the key in deciphering how it will affect further study abroad endeavors.
The University of Denver has not yet made any decisions regarding its Fall 2020 study abroad programs.
The MFJS Reporter -- Winter 2020 M-W 