By Emily R. Condon

As COVID-19 cases started to spread across Europe in March 2020, Chandler Sheatzley tried to be cautious by washing his hands frequently and paying attention to health alerts. The senior aerospace engineering major had been studying abroad in Spain and enjoying traveling across Europe. 

Then the University of Maryland suspended all study abroad programs. 

In less than a week, Sheatzley went from relaxing on the sunny shores of Spain to the chilly reality of self-isolation back in his hometown of Lapeer, Michigan.

“It was unfortunate to return early from my travels, but ultimately it was the right decision. I was fortunate to make it home before travel was stopped between continents, and safely at that,” Sheatzley said. 

UMD suspended its study abroad programs abruptly in Spring 2020 due to the pandemic. This fall, the university offered a limited assortment of in-person study abroad programs.

Now, the Education Abroad office is expanding options for winter and spring 2022. In October, the University of Maryland Global Campus determined that study abroad opportunities fit the description of essential travel.

Education Abroad is working to ensure the safety of returning study abroad programs amid the ongoing pandemic, according to an email statement from office staff. The office is monitoring the global threat of COVID-19 and following guidance from the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Students who plan to study abroad are required to comply with the university’s vaccination mandate. They also have to sign waivers that indicate the university is not responsible for health risks abroad and they are able to access help from Education Abroad’s risk management program. 

The risk management program helps promote safety for students abroad through monitoring the global situation of COVID-19 and approving or not approving travel. The program includes international health insurance in the case of an emergency.

Junior Bridget O’Toole, a government and politics and public policy double major, said she was excited to hear about the return of the program. 

“I’m happy that study abroad has returned. For many students, it’s a pivotal part of their college education. I am glad it is back and that students can now travel and get this experience. However, I will say that the return of the program has come with a lot of uncertainty,” O’Toole said.

O’Toole said she plans to study in Paris this spring and feels that traveling goes hand-in-hand with her path of study. She said it will help her meet different types of people and experience different cultures. 

O’Toole said she initially intended to study in India or Southeast Asia during the spring semester of her junior year, but she felt traveling to Europe was more fitting due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions. 

For students who may see COVID-19 as a potential deterrent for studying abroad, the office statement said that fear is normal. But, the office said, the university works with organizations and universities around the world that are trained to assist students while abroad. 

“The university makes decisions about study abroad based on all available information, but it is important to consider your personal risk tolerance as well as your physical and mental health when deciding to study abroad. It is important to have a frank discussion with your medical provider, and to ask whether traveling abroad is appropriate for you at this time and for the duration of the study abroad program you’re considering,” the office said.

Although he will not be able to spend a full semester abroad, Sheatzley said he thinks the return of the programs is important to the UMD community. The senior said he is glad other students will have the opportunity he could not complete.

“I just hope that travel is able to resume and restrictions lifted soon for people to go study abroad again. I want others to have that opportunity that I never really got to finish, seeing the world from a new culture and learning while doing so,” he said.

Featured photo: The University of Maryland suspended study abroad programs until Summer 2021. The Education Abroad office said limited options will be available in the winter and spring.