USD Spring 2021 study abroad moving forward

Several study abroad programs are moving forward with plans to return as soon as this spring semester

Jennifer Mossuto / Associate Editor / The USD Vista

The University of San Diego canceled all Fall 2020 study abroad programs on March 12. Since, then, study abroad programs for Spring 2021 opened up applications on Sept. 2 and closed Sept. 16. This has erupted concern and also excitement among some students, leaving them confused on what to expect. 

The USD International Center created a document detailing frequently asked questions amidst the new COVID-19 protocols. As many junior and senior study abroad plans were derailed, students were nervous their study abroad opportunity was over. Students’ last 30 units are required to be completed on campus, but some of the affiliated schools abroad count as “on campus,” allowing seniors to still go abroad in their fall or spring semester. 

Kira Espiritu Ph.D., assistant provost of international affairs, explained how studying abroad in the spring might look different, as well as what precautions they are taking. 

“Students need to be prepared to have a back-up plan for spring in case travel from the United States is not permitted by the host country,” Espiritu said. “Students are encouraged to register for courses at USD when spring registration begins in October in addition to completing their program requirements for their study abroad location.”

According to the U.S. Embassy, U.S. citizens are not currently allowed to enter Spain unless they meet specific requirements or have been given permission by the Government of Spain. 

Espiritu explained that students were allowed to choose an alternate program location if their country of choice did not allow U.S. citizens. Espiritu also stated that Intersession 2020 SYE programs have been moved to Summer 2021 from June 6 to June 25 in Auckland and Florence. 

Spring semester study abroad is not the most popular semester to go, but Espirtu says USD is on track to have more students study abroad in the spring than in the last two spring semesters. 

“This is very encouraging and shows how resilient our students are and how important a study abroad experience is for them,” Espiritu said.

USD junior Maddie Mandanis had been planning her study abroad in Madrid since her first year. 

“Before COVID-19, I was so excited to study abroad in Madrid,” Mandanis said. “I couldn’t wait to experience a new culture, try new foods and work on my Spanish skills. Now, I am not quite sure how to feel. I still really want to have that experience but am not sure if I will be able to travel anytime soon.”

COVID-19 upset many travel plans, leaving students disappointed and in search of new housing for the fall. 

“The study abroad center is great and very helpful and I know that they are doing the best that they can, but I think I would have appreciated them making a decision earlier so that we could have made other plans sooner,” Mandanis said.

Mandanis has since changed her mind about Spain and decided to take her study abroad experience to Rome, Italy. 

“I am worried about potentially not being able to go abroad,” Mandanis said. “The study abroad office is moving forward as if the Rome study abroad program is still happening, but with the current state of things I am worried that it will not happen. I am hoping that if it doesn’t work out for me to go in the spring, I will go next fall.”

Another junior, Nick Faber, had a particularly unique experience with his study abroad plans. 

“My program wasn’t part of the Madrid Center. I’m in dual degree so I stay 100% in a Spanish university, so I was left without much contact with USD,” Faber said. “When Corona hit, I was left even more in the dark about what USD wanted and any developments taken by USD. This had a lot to do with the general lack of knowledge about the virus so I understand, but the time leading up to being sent home, which ultimately was my decision, was very stressful.”

Faber’s program allows him to spend a full two years abroad, leaving him feeling lucky that this was simply a bump in the road, but saddened for other students who did not get the full experience. Faber has re-applied to the program and is currently taking a gap semester due to online classes. However, Faber does have some worries about the return. 

“The reason I’m hesitant about sending kids abroad, or at least a high volume of them, is because just based upon how study abroad people act,” Faber said. “It may cause the case numbers to rise and also there won’t be much for the kids to do because everything is still closed or at minimum capacity.” 

The drinking age is lower than in the U.S. in many other countries and sometimes students take advantage of the opportunity to be on their own for the first time by drinking, socializing, and traveling from city to city. 

Faber points out that it is the student’s choice whether or not they want to go back in terms of COVID-19 cases and safety, but he chooses to take advantage of a poor situation.

“I guess this just goes to show that you should always take advantage of every opportunity now because you’ll never know what’s going to happen in the future,” Faber said.

Faber is most looking forward to a vaccine, the pandemic ending, and a cold sangria on a Spanish rooftop.

USD study abroad programs are moving forward with plans for Spring 2021 and Summer 2021, hoping there are no other outbreaks in these countries that would cause plans to be changed.