Students Wonder If Fall Study Abroad Will Be Cancelled

At this time every year, students from all over the country prepare to embark on an adventure overseas to study and experience a culture very different from their own. With acceptance letters in the mail only last week, spirits should be high and congratulations should be in order. However, with a global pandemic causing schools, factories, restaurants and stores to close, studying abroad feels like nothing more than a pipe dream for many students. 

According to the  St. Lawrence University website, about two-thirds of our estimated 2,400 students study abroad for a semester or longer. This year, many students who have been accepted into programs for the Fall semester remain uncertain if they will continue as planned.

Hannah Porter ‘22  is set to leave for the New Zealand fall semester program in July, but she does not think it is realistic that she will attend because all of the St. Lawrence summer international programs were cancelled. “I reached out to the study abroad office, and they said that the Fall programs are continuing,” says Porter. “But mine doesn’t really start in the Fall. How is that supposed to work?”

Porter is concerned that if her program is cancelled, it will be too late for her to plan accordingly. “I’m scared about scheduling housing and registration at the last minute,” she said.

“But if I withdrew, I could be missing out on a great opportunity. I was so excited to get accepted into my dream program.”

Financial security is another big concern for students who want to go abroad in the fall. Erika Tillis ‘22 withdrew from the Sorrento, Italy program because she fears she will not make enough money without a job this summer.  “After our acceptances, we only had a week in advance to put down a $450 deposit,” said Tillis. “My parents are busy focusing on essential expenses right now, like food.”

Other people have found themselves in a similar situation after the coronavirus pandemic put their jobs in jeopardy—students and parents alike. For this reason, the study abroad office has decided to extend the deposit to April 10, giving students an additional week to come up with the money. The financial aid office also offers grants to students to help pay for abroad costs like the deposit or airfare.

Porter says she is aware of these grants, but isn’t sure if they are worth applying for. “I know that there are grants but I don’t know if I wanna put in that much effort to apply if I’m not going to be able to go.”

Tillis is still hoping to go to Sorrento in the Spring, but this can only happen if she is given a chance to apply. Normally, it is not possible to switch semesters after being accepted. “This is not a typical situation,” she said. “For me, it doesn’t matter which semester I go, I just don’t want the experience to be taken away from me.”

Even if she can not go at all, Tillis is working hard to stay optimistic. “I’m trying to look at the positive aspects on campus in the fall. Now that I’ve accepted it, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next semester.”

Porter is also doing her best to stay positive and make the best of the situation. “You can’t blame anyone, because everything is uncertain right now. There’s no way for anyone to have a plan at this point,” she said.

Even with no one to blame, students still could lose a once-in-a-lifetime experience due to bad timing. Tillis thinks that if the programs are cancelled, some adjustments will have to be made. ‘“I just worry that they’ll have to cancel all programs, but if they do they’re going to have to be accommodating.” she said. “It sucks because you put so much into the application, and there isn’t enough housing on campus for all students.”