CMU cancels Spring 2021 study abroad programs
Central Michigan University announced the official cancelation of Spring 2021 study abroad trips on Sept. 23.
After cancelling the summer and fall study abroad trips due to COVID-19, many students were were still holding onto the possibility of traveling abroad for spring semester.
“This is not something we do lightly and of course I know that a lot of students were affected by that, and I feel for those students, but when it comes to health and safety we don’t have a choice,” said the Office of Study Abroad Assistant Director Marko Schubert.
University leadership and the Office of Study Abroad made the joint decision to close the program due to concerns about the health of students traveling abroad.
“We make these decisions always based on the recommendations from the State Department and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention," Schubert said. "Both of the agencies are not recommending any international travel at this point."
Schubert said that unfortunately study abroad is included in nonessential travel.
Despite this turn of events for students planning on studying abroad in the spring, preparations are still underway for the study abroad programs for summer and fall of 2021.
Schubert remains optimistic as he continues to advise a number of students that are excited about the possibility of future study abroad programs despite the pandemic. Until then, the conditions of host countries for those programs are being closely monitored in order to ensure student safety.
