By Alexa Meyler
The study abroad program, originally set to resume in this spring, was canceled again due to the pandemic.
Students learned about the cancelation through a school-wide email last month.
“After careful consideration of the health and safety of Stonehill College students traveling internationally, the College has decided to continue to suspend all study abroad programs through Spring of 2022 given the ongoing uncertainty caused by the global pandemic,” the email said.
There were also concerns for another potential lockdown for students abroad.
“Spring 2022 study abroad programs were not guaranteed to proceed because of the College’s concern for the health and well-being of our students in conjunction with our limited ability to assist students in the event of a lockdown abroad,” the email said.
Students who planned to go abroad next semester said they were disappointed but understood.
Alice Hoang, a junior majoring in biochemistry, was planning on studying abroad for the spring 2022 semester in Poland.
“I was honestly preparing for not being able to go study abroad, but I applied either way. I did not know what was going to happen, however I was excited to go to Europe,” Hoang said.
Hoang applied to this program this semester.
Hoang, who has never been outside of the country, was planning on studying abroad last fall as well but the program was still canceled.
“There’s always senior year. I really hope that things with the virus will be better next year but I'm grateful that I have another year in which I can try to experience Poland again,” Hoang said.
Prior to the cancelation, Aliki Karagiannis, director of International Programs, said COVID has affected everyone.
“The challenges of traveling to a new country without the burden of a global pandemic are difficult enough, and with this extra obstacle students' fears of safety and health come to play,” Karagiannis said.
The study abroad program is rewarding for students and is on many students’ bucket list.
“The immense opportunity it provides a student to expand their studies and create a unique path into their professional future. Studying abroad quite literally changes your cognitive processes which is why future employers continue to value it so highly,” she said.
According to Karagiannis, the positive effects of studying abroad is shown by studies and research relating to the skill set of a student.
“Research shows that individuals who have studied abroad perform highly in creativity, problem-solving, and in managing and navigating ambiguous and complex situations. If you are also fortunate enough to learn another language and reach bilingual status, that carries with it an additional level of cognitive, economic, and social benefits,” Karagiannis said.
With various programs offered, needs of different students can be met once the program starts up again.
“The best program for the student I am working with is the one that best allows them to meet their academic and career goals,” Karagiannis said.
“For some, this might be a program in South Africa engaging in semester-long research on the topic of Human Rights, while for others it may be working with Professor (Anna) Ohanyan through the LION program, doing lab work in Denmark, or interning in Argentina or China. Our students are unique and their choice of program usually reflects what is most important to them at the time we cross their path,” Karagiannis said.
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