As of Friday morning, the university has decided to cancel undergraduate study abroad in Japan for spring 2011 citing security reasons. Graduate programs there do not begin for several weeks.
According to Donna Scarboro, associate vice president for international programs, 13 students were studying or planning to study in Japan during the spring semester.
Seven undergraduate students and one graduate student were in Japan, while four undergraduate students and on graduate student were scheduled to travel to Japan at the end of the month to begin their programs.
The seven undergraduate students who were in Japan have left or have already booked flights out of Japan, Dr. Scarboro said, and the graduate student has chosen to remain in the country.
The university is working with the five students who were on break in South Korea and China prior to the start of classes – the spring semester in Japan begins in April – and who left their belongings in Japan.
The 13 students were scheduled to participate in programs at several institutions, including Waseda, Kyoto, Sophia and Nanzan Universities. Though some of the institutions did not cancel their programs, GW decided to call the students back due to the unsafe conditions.
According to Dr. Scarboro, the university will work with affected students on a case by case basis, and if students need the missed coursework to graduate on time, GW will cover summer courses for them.
“We are very fortunate to have dedicated and knowledgeable professionals in the GW Study Abroad Office who have the right systems and protocols to get in touch quickly with colleagues abroad, and others who can provide information,” said Dr. Scarboro.
According to Dr. Scarboro, the office stayed in close contact with students and acted quickly to ensure their safety.
“We are very grateful that all our students are safe, and we send our support and best wishes to the good people in Japan as they begin the recovery process,” she said.