The University of Idaho International Programs Office has cancelled study abroad programs to countries with large coronavirus outbreaks and are monitoring the ongoing issue.
Programs in China, South Korea and now Italy have been cancelled for the semester. A student studying abroad in Italy will be coming back to UI after
Italy’s decision to close all schools. According to International
Programs Office’s Executive Director Aryn Baxter, more programs can be expected to be cancelled as the coronavirus spreads further internationally.
The situation will be handled differently depending on the time frame for each program, Baxter said.
For example, the programs cancelled before the trip begins will be treated differently than those that are mid-way through, in terms of refunding or rescheduling.
“We are monitoring the situation on a case by case basis,” Baxter said. Baxter said she is working closely with an emergency management team to decide which programs need cancellation based on safety concerns for the students abroad.
“Our top priority is (students’) health and safety,” Baxter said. “We plan to keep everyone updated.”
Mariah Wood can be reached at [email protected]