Francesca Demes ’22, had plans to study abroad in Florence, Italy, for the upcoming fall semester. Although Demes is unsure whether it is safe due to complications from the coronavirus pandemic, her semester abroad has not yet been canceled. 

“Florence is a very populated city that got hit very hard, so there is a concern about how we would be able to stay safe but also have a good time,” Demes said. “Also, it is important to keep in mind that Italy is in a very [depressed] state, so it would be a different experience than a typical trip prior to the coronavirus.” 

Demes is one of the 123 students who were enrolled in St. Joe’s study abroad programs for the fall semester. Currently, 64 students decided to withdraw or defer their application. 56 students are still undecided about their plans for the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic and three had their programs canceled already by their provider, according to the Center for International Programs (CIP).  

The CIP is working closely with their providers to determine health and safety protocols as well as contingency plans in response to the coronavirus pandemic, said Thomas Kesaris, director of CIP, wrote in an email to The Hawk. 

According to Kesaris, the CIP is taking all the necessary health and safety precautions to prepare students for travel in the fall while still abiding by the rules of the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health authorities.  

“A variety of factors are considered in assessing COVID-19-related health and safety practices at a host institution, including travel considerations, such as visa and flight availability, social distancing measures in the classroom, residential spaces, space and support for self-quarantine if required, and academic contingency plans if there is a need to switch to virtual learning,” Kesaris wrote in an email to The Hawk.

Anna Kalafatis ’22 decided to withdraw her application to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Kalafatis said she is worried about traveling overseas due to the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 preventing a safe return home.    

“Before I withdrew, [the CIP was]  shortening the program so that we would begin in October instead of August to allow more time for all this to clear up,” Kalafatis said. “That made me want to go even less, because if I’m paying all this money, I don’t want a shortened experience.” 

Similarly, Riley Tuffy ’22 said she had plans to travel to Italy during the fall semester, but ultimately decided not to for health reasons involving asthma. 

“I have been looking forward to this experience since I was a freshman in high school,” Tuffy said. “If the program is not canceled I am still choosing not to go. Considering how bad my asthma is, that is a risk that I do not want to take.”

Tuffy said she withdrew her application because she did not want to put herself in an unsafe position.

“During this disappointing time with much confusion, I feel as though I made the right decision [to withdraw],” Tuffy said. “This is super disappointing for not just myself but for everyone who was supposed to go abroad this fall.”  

CIP will make recommendations to students regarding fall travel by mid-June, according to Kesaris.