Informational: Suspension of Spring Study Abroad 2021
Oct. 20, 2020
Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff,
Given the continued uncertainty surrounding the global health crisis's impact on public health and international travel, Brandeis University has made the very difficult decision to suspend all study abroad for the spring 2021 semester. This includes all in-person, virtual and/or hybrid programs, international and domestic, and is in line with the ongoing Brandeis University travel ban, which restricts university-sponsored travel for all students, faculty and staff.
This decision was made in consideration of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, student health and safety; travel restrictions; country-specific entry requirements; impacts to programs on the ground; the potential for disruptions of consular support abroad; and the risk of needing to return home early in light of health concerns. Additional consideration was given to the potential consequences of international students' arrival and presence on local health care providers in the event of a resurgence of the virus, and this decision reflects the Brandeis community's responsibility to work to slow the spread of COVID-19 at every possible opportunity. The decision to suspend was made in consultation with senior leadership, legal counsel, public health experts and risk management.
We know that this announcement will be extremely disappointing to students who had planned to study abroad in the spring, and will be especially disappointing to students who have had multiple interruptions to their study-abroad plans to date. The university is fully committed to assisting students who were previously approved in revising their study abroad plans, including deferral to fall 2021 or spring 2022. The Office of Study Abroad will be in touch this week with all students who planned to study abroad in spring 2021 to discuss next steps.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Lynch
Provost