Prior to the pandemic, nearly 75% of DU undergraduates participated in study abroad. This was partly driven by extensive international partnerships between the DU Office of International Education (OIE) and international academic programs in 52 countries. These partnerships allowed students to participate in semester-long programs for the same price as one quarter at DU. Combined with the Cherrington Global Scholars stipend for eligible juniors and seniors, these partnerships helped bridge the affordability gap for low-income students who are traditionally excluded from such opportunities.
For most students, study abroad is the primary reason they choose DU. Lizzie Stacks, a junior film and Spanish double major, decided to attend DU for international opportunities.
“I have been saving for study abroad since high school,” said Stacks. “For students who do not have financial support from their family, I think study abroad is one of the best opportunities to travel and be able to afford it.”
The pandemic abruptly halted global opportunities. With borders closed, international travel halted and the prevalence of COVID-19 posing a significant risk to student safety, the university canceled all programs for fall 2020 and winter/spring 2021. For hundreds of students, the news was heartbreaking.
“I feel like I went through a breakup. Maybe that is dramatic, but it was so devastating,” said Stacks.
While students were granted the chance to reapply for the 2021-22 cycle, Stacks was unable to as she plans to graduate after fall quarter 2022. DU requires all courses taken within the final 45-credits of an undergraduate degree to be “resident” credit. While DU Partner Program (DUPPs) courses count towards this credit, most common curriculum advanced seminars must be taken at DU.
Despite being ineligible to participate in a study abroad program, Stacks’ desire to travel has only been strengthened as a result of the pandemic.
“It just made me more insatiable,” said Stacks. “I want to travel abroad so bad. I have never been able to travel outside the country, [so] I am going to travel to Spain sometime in 2022.”
The OIE has given the tentative green light for study abroad in the 2021-22 academic year. For Arianna Carlson, a sophomore international studies major, the opportunity to travel abroad will allow her to develop linguistic skills with an immersion program in Bilbao, Spain.
Her decision to go to Spain was in part due to COVID-19 worries. While she originally wanted to go to Eastern Europe, Carlson chose the ‘safe’ option based on CDC guidelines and news reports during the application timeline in fall quarter 2020.
“I was less adventurous in my choices,” said Carlson. “I felt as though western European programs were more likely to continue on in the pandemic, so I prioritized Spain. I decided not to apply to Turkey and the Czech Republic because I was not sure what would happen.”
The OIE is requiring students to consult with International SOS (ISOS) and be fully vaccinated before they leave. Other communications from the university over the fate of study abroad in 2021-22 have left Carlson frustrated.
“My personal advisor has been great, but OIE has been iffy,” said Carlson. “I would appreciate it if they just told me they do not have the answers. That has impacted my perception of them.”
With COVID-19 protocols constantly changing, students studying abroad in the fall recognize they may not know the fate of their program until September.
“I think it is just a really weird time for everyone,” said Carlson. “It will be the kind of thing that once I am on the flight, that is when I know everything will be ok. I just gotta get there.”
While a stressful process, the prospect to study abroad is an exciting one for DU undergraduates who simply want a return to normalcy. The situation has pushed study abroad students to learn the importance of flexibility in uncertain situations. “I think it has taught me to go with the flow and be a flexible person,” said Carlson.
For students who are studying abroad during the 2021-22 academic year, the Office of International Education maintains that they are responsible for communication with their host programs, OIE advisor and ISOS regarding testing, quarantine and safety requirements. Students can find more information on study abroad using the OIE website, their DU Passport portal or by booking an appointment with their regional advisor.
