On May 23, the IU Office of Overseas Study released a statement regarding the conditions of overseas programs for the summer and fall. IU has canceled all summer programs during the duration from May 16- Aug. 23, but the office has yet to release a statement ensuring all fall programs will occur.
“We understand that this is very difficult for everyone who has planned to study abroad, something that is a life-changing experience,” IU spokesperson Chuck Carney said. “Our office is working daily to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information and can keep the students and staff informed regarding the latest developments.”
The university plans on releasing a statement on or before June 30 informing students about the outcome of fall travel programs. Although it is unclear whether programs will be allowed to proceed this fall, some have already been canceled, and others have been putting restrictions in place in hopes the program will still happen.
“When it is safe for these programs to move forward, IU will continue with our extensive overseas study,” Carney said. “Unfortunately, as with many things during this pandemic, only time will tell about when that will be possible.”
IU junior Haley Skiko’s overseas program in Shanghaihas been canceled.
“The university has canceled this program in the fall based on the location due to COVID-19,” Skiko said. “I am minoring in Chinese and have been taking the language since I was 12, so I mainly wanted to participate for the language and culture experience.”
The Office of Overseas Study is working with deferring students to a later travel date if their programs have been canceled. Skiko said her application has been moved to the spring 2021 program for China.
Students who are no longer traveling in the fall have been forced to make schedule and living adjustments.
“This has taken a lot of adapting,” Skiko said. “Finding new living for the fall and getting plans with classes have kind of followed a domino effect for me in the aspect of living and learning.”
Junior Grace Robblee had planned on traveling to Barcelona, Spain, in the fall through the Council on International Educational Exchange program. Robblee said she received an email April 23 from CIEE detailing the changes to the upcoming program. After consideration, Robblee decided she wouldn’t attend the program due to a shortened amount of time in Spain and changes to the housing options.
“The program would begin online for the beginning of the semester, and only a total of 90 days would be spent in Spain,” Robblee said. “The students also are now required to live alone in separate apartments.”
Robblee said she thinks being deprived of people to live with really influences the ability to form relationships while being abroad.
“Living alone was a major part in the deciding factor for me in dropping out of the program,” Robblee said. “I had planned on doing a homestay in which I would be assigned to a host family and a roommate.”
Robblee now plans to visit Europe after graduation instead of spending a semester abroad.
“I think the key to staying positive during this situation is to remember that Spain and Europe will still be there no matter when I get there,” Robblee said.
