ECU Study Abroad Fall 2020 Update
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ECU has followed the University of North Carolina System guidance in canceling all study abroad programs for fall 2020. Also following system guidance, university-related international travel by faculty, staff and students continues to be suspended until further notice.
Currently, the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have the highest travel warning levels in place for all international travel. Many countries have closed their borders to non-citizens and limited public services to stop the spread. Travel continues to be disrupted, embassies and consulates for many countries, including the U.S., have suspended visa services and many universities are evaluating how they will return to campus next semester.
ECU’s priority in determining the viability and feasibility of study abroad programming has always been the health and safety of our students. We continue to believe in the transformative influence of study abroad and the importance of helping our students develop cultural competence. While we plan for the potential reopening of international travel in the spring, our students are fortunate that they can still have a meaningful international experience right here at home through our Global Understanding courses. ECU leads the world’s largest global virtual exchange network, connecting regularly and in real-time with students from 47 universities worldwide.
We know that many students and parents will be disappointed to hear the news of these cancellations, but at ECU the health and safety of our students is the top priority. Thank you for your understanding as we pause our physical mobility programs and focus for the time being on building the skills to succeed in a global, multicultural society in other ways. If you have any questions related to study abroad or international travel, please contact Dr. Jon Rezek, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs at rezekjo17@ecu.edu.
-Grant Hayes, Ph.D., Acting Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs