The study abroad program came to a screeching halt when the COVID-19 pandemic initially broke out. Many students who had planned trips for a very long time saw their plans disappear as travel was cancelled.
However, the study abroad program is still very much up and running even though travel cannot happen just yet. University leaders hope that by Fall 2021 travel restrictions will have eased.
“Our office is excited for the future of study abroad programming as there is still a strong interest from both students and faculty wanting to include a study abroad experience during their time at Texas A&M Kingsville,” Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Jaya Goswami said. “Though there are limitations due to the pandemic for the immediate future, our office had continued working on providing opportunities through our faculty-led, student exchange and independent study abroad programs starting Fall 2021 and beyond.”
When traveling will be safe again is still a big question as it does not just depend of the mandates of TAMUK, but that of the foreign countries to which students will be traveling.
“While there are multiple factors that will be taken into consideration prior to resuming international travel for study abroad programming, our office is optimistic that by summer 2021 current travel restrictions in-place due to the pandemic will be lifted,” Goswami said.
Students that had planned to take a trip were given an option to reschedule or cancel.
“Some countries, including our own, were not allowing international travel, so the university had to comply with the mandates. We were bummed, but understood, but we had the choice to push our trip to next year, or cancel completely. What was really nice, is any money we put in could get refunded or kept for a trip next year,” student Erica Ginnett said.
Goswami encourages students to look into the program during this pause.
“Right now is actually the best time for students to reach out to our office to discuss their interest in attending a future program. It is always recommended to start the planning stage as early as possible and by doing so, that allows plenty of time for a student to complete the required procedures related to the study abroad program option they are interested in attending. Students are encouraged to set-up a virtual advising appointment with our Program Coordinator, Nicolette Dacke, through their Starfish account to initiate this step,” Goswami said.
After students make arrangements and schedule a trip, it becomes a waiting game until travel restrictions are lifted.
“No travel is 100 percent safe from illnesses. My husband was also going to go to Paris with me, and we have already told Study Abroad we would be going May 2021…Our faculty leader worked really hard to make things as seamless as possible. Nicolette was also accommodating, which is always nice. We expect the trip to go smoothly next spring,”Ginnett said.
Students can follow @TAMUKStudyAbroad on Facebook, @TAMUKAbroad on Instagram and @TAMUKAbroad on Twitter or visit the webpage at www.tamuk.edu/studyabroad for the latest updates regarding the study abroad program.
