Cancellation of Study Abroad Programs Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci have urged social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus, and most places in the nation, including California, have issued a stay-at-home order to keep people in their houses. Such measures have led to the cancellation of high school and college study abroad programs around the world, particularly in Europe, where the virus has been prominent. Those who participated in these programs were forced to return home, but due to the large number of students studying abroad, as well as the price and shortage of airline tickets, it has been a challenge for some to do so.

To junior Naomi Effron, these cancellations affected her personally, as they forced her to cut her studies in Israel short to return home. She participated in a study abroad program called Naale, whose mission is to allow Jewish students from around the world complete all or part of their high school education in Israel. On March 12, she and the other participants in the program learned that they would move to distance learning, which meant that the curriculum would still continue in an online format. Like other study abroad program participants, Effron faced certain problems getting home, such as a lack of airline tickets and stricter rules entering and exiting countries. Such tension worsened for Effron after hearing rumor that Israel was allegedly going to shut down its border in 48 hours after she heard the announcement. Eventually, Effron was able to go home, but some of her friends from Italy cannot due to the restrictions on travel in Italy. 

Associate Principal Dr. Jennifer Panagos noted the impact of COVID-19 on Peninsula study abroad students being sent home. Although she acknowledges that students are upset about their programs being canceled, she also has seen how the students participating in these programs have tried to stay in contact with those they met during their time abroad.

“Because of how much love students have for the study abroad programs they participate in, it must feel lonely when they have to return from them,” Panagos said. “However, I can honestly say that I have loved hearing about students engaging with their friends from those programs. Everyone is working hard to support each other during this trying time, both academically and emotionally.”

French 2, Spanish 2 and Spanish 2 MCR teacher Jazz Thompson is the South Bay Liaison for the study abroad program United States Meetings and Discovery. In this program, students from France come to Southern California in the summer, and later in the year, Peninsula students studying French have the option to go to France. However, because of COVID-19, it has been postponed to the summer of 2021.

“It is unfortunate [that the program is postponed], as I was looking forward to leading it,” Thompson said. “However, what is also sad is that the students who were looking forward to participating in this will not be able to have the spectacular experience that previous years have also had.”

While Effron has enjoyed her experience at Naale, she misses her friends as well as the connections she made with them. At Naale, she has met people from various countries around the world, and she has built strong friendships with a diverse group of people.

“Not being around [my fellow students at Naale] feels surreal,” Effron said. “There was hardly a dull moment when I was at Naale; something is always happening. My friends from Naale and I all watch movies together, go work out in the gym together and play sports together — you end up forming this incredible bond. Thus, it is tough not being with them because of Naale’s cancellation.”