Students unable to participate in yearly interim abroad trips in 2021
Beginning in the spring of 2020, the Office of International Programs, the Director of Business Services and the Provost closely monitored and evaluated conditions regarding the state of the coronavirus pandemic and its potential impact on international study programs. These evaluations led to a decision on Jan. 11, when the Provost sent out a memorandum stating the decision that each of the remaining travel study programs would be cancelled due to concerns regarding the coronavirus.
The first of the cancellations was the interim trip to New Zealand, which was suspended in August due to the country’s strict travel restrictions. Less than a month later, the Hawaii interim trip was also cancelled due to the state’s quarantine orders. The rest of the programs were not officially cancelled until the memorandum was sent out in early January, which was the targeted time period to make a final decision.
The decision was made primarily due to concerns for the health and safety of the students, faculty and staff, as well as financial implications for students and faculty. There were also ethical concerns related to traveling to host communities and logistical challenges surrounding group travel amid COVID-19 international policies and protocols.
Everett Lawrence ’23 was scheduled to go on the scuba-diving interim program in Bonaire, located off the coast of Venezuela. The sophomore voiced his disappointment but also understood the legitimate reasons for the cancellation.
“I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to go on the trip, but I understand why the school made the decision,” He said. “It’s just frustrating because I think it will be safe to travel by April.”
Emily Hathcock ’23 was scheduled to participate in the Washington, D.C. interim program. She similarly expressed her mixed emotions upon her learning of the cancelation.
“When we got the email that Wofford decided to cancel the remaining travel interim programs, I remember feeling a mix of disappointment and understanding,” Hathcock said. “Disappointment because I’d been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill and understanding in the way that the times are uncertain. But moving forward, I will most likely just be doing a local internship rather than traveling!”
Students that were signed up to participate in interim travel programs will now have to register for non-travel interims in mid-February. Each will be fully refunded if they had previously paid deposits.
