Current world events not expected to affect study abroad

The political turmoil of a potential war in Iraq and the Middle East is not expected to have a major effect on applications in the upcoming months, according to Tufts' Programs Abroad office.

The number of abroad applicants is predicted to increase this year _ in spite of global tension caused by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, unrest in Indonesia, Russia, and Afghanistan and an impending war with Iraq. "It hasn't been mentioned by one student who has come into my office this year," Foreign Study Director Sally O' Leary said.

Underclassmen considering the option said they did not expect events in the Middle East to affect them negatively in other countries abroad. "The political situation hasn't affected the decision making process," freshman Andrew Chapman said. "I think in a way it is safer in another country than here."

Security is still a key issue for students, many who are going on their first long-term stay out of the country. Students often discuss concerns in this area, according to O'Leary, coordinator to the over 200 non-Tufts programs approved by the Tufts Faculty.

Parents have also expressed security concerns, O'Leary said. "I basically advise them to make a prudent decision, and to advise them of any dangers that could happen in the area," O'Leary said. This awareness of the current climate, she said, is why there are no students studying in Israel this semester.

Tufts investigates security measures and feels "confident" about programs which have been approved by the University, O'Leary said. Ultimately, since students are taking a leave of absence from the University, the decision is up to the student and their parents.

Since Sept. 11, the University has continued to enforce existing security measures to protect students. "I am in constant contact with the Program Directors in the host countries, keeping them updated on the latest developments and safety measures," Dean of Study Abroad Shelia Bayne said.

Among these precautions are measures to immerse students into their host country's culture and to not identify students as Americans.

Tufts' policy is to follow the guidelines with the United States State Department, which issues travel advisements for US citizens abroad. Non-Tufts programs may have different policies, but the State Department is the most common gauge.

Any student fully immersed in the Study Abroad program should have a limited risk according to Bayne, because they will "blend in" to their surroundings. Tufts encourages students to speak in the area's native tongue, to associate with people from the host country, and to participate in cultural events.

Students were given the option of returning from abroad to the Medford Campus after Sept. 11 without penalty. Four students chose not to leave the US to go abroad, and instead were given housing on campus and enrolled in classes.

This was possible to due the attacks happening early in the semester, Bayne said, and because of cooperation with the Office of Residential Life and Learning, which was able to find limited housing for the students.

Letters and e-mails were sent to all students on a Tufts program, approximately 50 of which had already arrived in their host countries. The University also diffused the information it received from the government before giving it to the Program Directors who were preparing for student arrivals.

Last minute changes were made _ in particular, flight changes for the 50 students headed to the University of London who were scheduled to go on Sept. 13, 2001.

O'Leary also tried to contact students who were studying in non-Tufts programs. "I was totally overwhelmed by the response," O'Leary said. "From Australian Universities setting up phone lines so students could check in on relatives to incredible amounts of e-mails from students all over the world."

These students were also offered the options of cutting short their leaves of absence _ although only two chose to do so.

Bayne and O'Leary both expressed surprise at the low number of students who decided to return, considering the political instability. Bayne said this willingness to stay abroad represents a commitment to learning about other cultures and an understanding that she believes is vital to preventing the next Sept.11 from happening.

Other universities have been reluctant to stop any programs despite the possible war with Iraq. Dr. Loti Citti of Georgetown University, which operates programs in Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco, said no "red flags" have been raised that would cause a program recall.

Although Tufts' students have never been recalled due to an international crisis, there was a close call in 1993. During the siege of the Russian Parliament ordered by then President Boris Yeltsin, an advisory was issued warning against travel to Russia. Those students from Tufts at the University of Moscow stayed.

Tufts has a major commitment to learning in foreign countries _ with an average of 40 percent of the junior class studying abroad at least one semester every year. Approximately 500 students studied abroad last year _ an increase over the 464 during the 2000-2001 academic year.