Study Abroad Supports Students while Suspending Programs Worldwide
The Study Abroad Office (SAO) has prioritized the health and safety of its students who were studying abroad all over the world this spring semester. As the CDC advisory changed over time, the SAO has been assisting waves of students in their return home, affecting approximately 400 students this semester in all. In coordination with the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA), the students have been offered housing support if they need assistance with self-quarantine or are experiencing housing insecurity. In a few cases, the SAO has coordinated emergency flights for those with extreme need.
Students who, against the recommendation of the US Dept. of State and NC State University, have chosen to stay abroad, have been asked to read, sign, and return a Special Release and Acknowledgment.
All upcoming summer programs have been canceled, including those planned in Prague for new first year students in August. Overall, more than 1650 students will be affected by COVID-19-related travel restrictions/program cancellations, including over 900 from summer programs alone. Some of these students may now be seeking opportunities to enroll in online classes during summer school, and many hope to participate in study abroad next year.
Study Abroad expects to resume sending students abroad for fall 2020, unless the current situation does not improve and travel restrictions still remain in place. They hope to receive new exchange students for fall 2020/academic year 2020-21, as well.
For more details, the Study Abroad Office has provided both a Coronavirus Updates webpage and a Frequently Asked Questions page: