Letter from International Programs to Students Abroad

Dear Students,

As you all know, the spread of the coronavirus has and will continue to have a profound impact on U.S. colleges and universities offering study abroad programs. As the college administrators and faculty entrusted with making decisions about the fate of these programs, we must carefully weigh our primary concern, which is your health and safety, against our desire to reach the academic goals we had originally set for these programs. We rely on a number of indicators in making such decisions, only some of which include: the number of reported cases in the program locations, the availability of transportation options to depart those locations in case of emergency, and the travel advisories from the CDC and State Department. On Sunday, the CDC posted an update which recommended that institutions of higher education “consider postponing or canceling student foreign exchange programs” and “consider asking students participating in study abroad programs to return to the United States.” We want to update you with our current thinking following these recommendations.

Middlebury suspended its School in Italy last weekend. We asked students to return home and they will be enrolling in remote course work to complete their semester abroad.  At this time, Middlebury has no plans to suspend additional Schools Abroad, but we will continue to review this decision daily.  Middlebury has also not recalled any students currently enrolled in externally-sponsored programs.  As more cases of the coronavirus are detected, advice and restrictions are in constant flux.  We will continue to update you as we receive additional information and as our policies evolve.  Our best advice to students today is to control what is within your control.  To that end:

  1. Limit your travel.  We have already given this advice, but as it is impossible to predict where the virus will spread, and how local authorities may react by closing borders and enforcing quarantines, take this opportunity to get to know the city where you are living and its environs.  Rather than spending time and money planning trips to far-away places that may be off-limits by the time the trip arrives, spend time learning more about the place you have decided to call home this semester.  Students who choose to travel outside of their host country undertake potential health, academic, and financial risks.  If authorities ban travel to a location where you have planned travel, you may forfeit plane tickets and hotel reservations.  If your host country begins limiting entry by people coming from a place you have just visited, you may not be able to re-enter or you may find yourself subject to quarantine.  You must assume these risks if you decide to travel away from your host country against our recommendation.
  2. Know what to do should you experience symptoms of the coronavirus.  Please understand that, as with the flu, different people experience symptoms differently, and it is important to disclose if you are having any such symptoms.  Know whether you are to call a number or present yourself to be seen (procedures vary by location).  Please do not be afraid to let program staff and medical professionals know if you are ill.  It is cold and flu season and many people are sick with all sorts of viruses.  The best way to protect everyone, always, is to stay away from them if you are unwell, and that is especially true now.
  3. Understand that you are far away from your parents and, in many cases, they are concerned.  Keeping in close contact with them about your general well-being, information you are hearing from program staff, and also about your local reality will help.  Otherwise, all they see is what is on the news, which, frankly, some find alarming.  Hearing facts from you can help to reassure them.
  4. Emergency preparedness is a real thing.  Likely, it’s an aspect of life you haven’t had to deal with yet, but don’t let that deter you.  Taking concrete steps in the event that transportation becomes more difficult, that supplies run low in stores, or that you need to self-quarantine in your home away from home is important.  Knowing you have supplies on hand is at first reassuring, and in some cases, may prove necessary.  Think about what food, water, medical supplies, and cleaning supplies you would need for a two-week period should you be unable to leave.  Stocking up ahead of time is a real step that you can take today.
  5. Be sure that your phone is charged (with more credit than normal) so that you may continue to use it even if you’re unable to leave your housing for a period of time.

We will continue to update you when there are further developments.

Sincerely,

Carlos Vélez

Dean of International Programs