Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / Study abroad students return home due to COVID-19
Students take a group picture before leaving to study abroad. (Photo by David Mitchell)

Study abroad students return home due to COVID-19

March 20, 2020 by Sydney Varner

Study Abroad students have returned home as semesters and programs across the country are being canceled in the wake of COVID-19. 

Students this semester were abroad with programs located in Leipzig, Germany and Oxford, England. After continued concerns of safety and health were taken into account with the rising spread of infection, students were ultimately sent home, cutting their study abroad experiences short. 

Adelynn Vasquez, an Oxford program participant, said for much of the time the students were in Europe, people were discussing the coronavirus and the seriousness of the disease.

“Most of the time I was just thinking, ‘Oh, that’s in China, that’s in Italy, it’s not happening here,'” said Vasquez, sophomore political science major. “Until about three weeks ago they told us there was going to be travel restrictions and that we weren’t allowed to go to Italy and to not plan any future trips. So, at that point it started getting really real. It didn’t really come as a surprise when they said we would be being sent home.” 

After arriving back in the United States, all students from the study abroad programs have been encouraged to self-quarantine for at least 14 days to make sure they haven’t contracted and spread the virus. As of now, no one from ACU has contracted COVID-19. 

Tessa Lewis, an Oxford program participant, returned home with the rest of the students and said she has been enjoying the comforts of home.

“I’m just in my house,” said Lewis, sophomore communications major. “I’ve been hanging out with my parents, my mom has gone out and gotten all the fast food I missed. I don’t plan on leaving the house at all.” 

Though their experiences were cut short, students understand the necessity of the decisions made to keep them safe. 

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t think any of us are angry with ACU,” Lewis said. “Obviously it was hard to get sent home, but we know that ACU held out for so long and we watched other groups go home weeks before us. Honestly, I’m really grateful to ACU and Stephen Shewmaker for the way they handled it.” 

Shewmaker is executive director of the Center for International Education, which coordinates Study Abroad

Sydney Carr, a Leipzig program participant, said the value of this semester was not undermined by its sudden end. 

“I would just say study abroad was one of the best experiences of my life and I can’t recommend it enough to everyone,” said Carr, a sophomore ministry and vocation major. “I would do it a thousand times over again even if it meant getting sent home early. The friendships I have made through this experience have become some of my best friends.

“The places I got to go to and things I got to do are things I never thought I would ever get to do in a million years. I’m so grateful for this experience and if anyone is even thinking about studying abroad they need to do it, it will change your life for the best.”

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

About Sydney Varner

You are here: Home / News / Study abroad students return home due to COVID-19

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....