Hopkins's study abroad policy in India subject to change
After last week's terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, in which 179 people, including several Americans, were killed by gunmen, University administrators are monitoring the situation to determine whether there will be a policy change regarding study abroad in that country.
"As always, the Office of Study Abroad will continue to monitor the situation and work in collaboration with our program providers to find the best fit for Hopkins students in terms of both academics and safety," Lori Citti, director of the Office of Study Abroad wrote in an e-mail to the News-Letter.
The University's policy holds that students are prohibited from traveling to countries that are under U.S. State Department travel warnings, with exceptions provided on a conditional basis.
While no travel warning on India has been issued, the State Department did issue a "travel alert" on Monday.
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about heightened security concerns in India, and advises U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness," the alert read.
According to Paula Burger, dean of undergraduate education and vice provost, any change in University policy regarding study abroad in India is largely dependent on whether the State Department issues such a warning.
"Should such a warning be issued, we would follow our policy and procedural protocols. But, at this time, no such formal warning has been issued, so we expect to stay in a very attentive monitoring posture as the situation develops," Burger wrote in an e-mail to the News-Letter.
However, according to Citti, the State Department warning is only one of several factors taken into account when determining the University's study abroad policy.
"Decisions concerning whether or not to run spring programs in India will depend on a number of factors, including ongoing developments (including travel advisories and warning messages from the Department of State), the location of the program, the ability of the provider to provide emergency support to participants and a number of other important considerations," Citti wrote in an e-mail.
"As always, the Office of Study Abroad will continue to monitor the situation and work in collaboration with our program providers to find the best fit for Hopkins students in terms of both academics and safety," Lori Citti, director of the Office of Study Abroad wrote in an e-mail to the News-Letter.
The University's policy holds that students are prohibited from traveling to countries that are under U.S. State Department travel warnings, with exceptions provided on a conditional basis.
While no travel warning on India has been issued, the State Department did issue a "travel alert" on Monday.
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about heightened security concerns in India, and advises U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness," the alert read.
According to Paula Burger, dean of undergraduate education and vice provost, any change in University policy regarding study abroad in India is largely dependent on whether the State Department issues such a warning.
"Should such a warning be issued, we would follow our policy and procedural protocols. But, at this time, no such formal warning has been issued, so we expect to stay in a very attentive monitoring posture as the situation develops," Burger wrote in an e-mail to the News-Letter.
However, according to Citti, the State Department warning is only one of several factors taken into account when determining the University's study abroad policy.
"Decisions concerning whether or not to run spring programs in India will depend on a number of factors, including ongoing developments (including travel advisories and warning messages from the Department of State), the location of the program, the ability of the provider to provide emergency support to participants and a number of other important considerations," Citti wrote in an e-mail.
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Caribbean Cruises
posted 1/05/09 @ 11:00 AM EST
I believe that this kind of attitude is normal. If I were in his position be sure that I would do the same. It isn't safe enough to study in a country with this kind of issues. (Continued…)
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