Update Feb. 2: GW has received updated information that 12 of its students participating in study abroad programs in Egypt have safely left the country. The remaining two students are safe and have chosen to stay in Egypt with relatives. The university is now working with the students to determine alternative options for the remainder of the semester.
Over the weekend, staff members have been in touch with the 14 GW students participating in study abroad programs in Egypt and are making progress connecting students with safe transport, according to Donna Scarboro, associate vice president for international programs. All students are safe.
The U.S. State Department has recommended that U.S. citizens avoid Egypt due to the ongoing political and social unrest.
The university has been in touch with GW students from Egypt, “who are thinking about their families back home,” Dr. Scarboro says.
According to Dr. Scarboro, there are no GW faculty members currently in Egypt.
The students now in Egypt, like all GW students who study abroad, have gone through orientation programs which focus on security, and GW examines programs’ track records before selecting them, Dr. Scarboro says.
The university is also determining how to best meet the academic needs of the 14 students to ensure they can stay on track to graduate on time. “Accommodations will be made for all of the students,” says Dr. Scarboro.
Students in Egypt or their parents who have questions about their coursework this semester are encouraged to contact Rob Hallworth, director of GW’s Study Abroad Program.
“We regret that students’ studies have been interrupted,” Dr. Scarboro says. “Right now, we are monitoring conditions, and we look forward to hearing that all the GW students arrived at safe destinations. We will be working with them on next steps to finish their semester.”