Global education slated to resume in spring

The Center for Global Education’s virtual study abroad fair will introduce students to various global education opportunities, as Chapman accepts applications for the fall 2021 semester. Photo by JASMIN SANI Editor-in-Chief

The 157 students whose fall 2020 study abroad programs were canceled after cases of the coronavirus continued to escalate are now taking remote classes from their homes. However, with a vaccine on the horizon as early as late October, Chapman University’s Center for Global Education is hosting a week-long virtual study abroad fair this week from Sept. 14 to Sept. 18 to introduce other students to global education and various international opportunities. 

The future of the study abroad program is still unclear as staff continues to discuss student safety behind foreign travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are currently 189 students signed up for the spring 2021 semester, according to Jodi Hicks, the assistant director of Overseas Programs. The Center for Global Education is also accepting applications for interterm 2021 and the fall 2021 semester.

“As of this point, we are moving forward with the interterm travel courses and the spring and fall study abroad (programs),” said Kristin Beavers, the director of the Center for Global Education. “We will see in the next couple of weeks how things play out.”

The virtual study abroad fair consists of various sessions. During Monday’s events, global education advisers from each Chapman college will host 30-minute meetings to share their study abroad recommendations based on students’ majors and minors. Throughout the rest of the week, Chapman program partners, including foreign universities and U.S. study abroad organizations, will host information sessions to provide details about the opportunities their specific institution offers.

All sessions will be recorded on Zoom and posted on the Chapman Center for Global Education website. Students must RSVP for each session online. The Center for Global Education will also host two special sessions: a study abroad alumni panel on Sept. 15 and a study abroad scholarship and funding workshop on Sept. 18.

“I want to learn more about the many opportunities when it comes to studying abroad,” said sophomore public relations and advertising major Shirley Sallas, who is attending the study abroad fair. “I am very excited about the alumni panel because hearing about other people’s experiences studying abroad is so interesting … inspires me so much and makes me want to travel around the whole world.”

While Sallas is hopeful for what the future will bring, junior screenwriting major Simon Weinstein decided against his plan to study abroad in London during the upcoming spring semester. Although he could defer his trip to the following school year, Weinstein noted the unclear state of the coronavirus pandemic and expressed his desire to enjoy his senior year, especially after Chapman transitions back to in-person learning.

“I just want to stay here for senior year,” Weinstein said. “As fun as (studying) abroad sounds, I want to take advantage of everything at Chapman and its location during my last year.”

The Center for Global Education also created an interactive virtual office space for students to gain as much insight and understanding as possible while on-campus access is limited. Students can explore each global education adviser’s office for updates, resources and contact information.

Since there is no cost associated with applying to next academic year’s study abroad programs, the Center for Global Education also encourages interested students to sign up for the fall 2021 semester abroad, even if they are unsure about the experience.

“I am in the hopeful mindset and optimistic that there will be a vaccine and countries, including the United States, will have things stabilized so that our students will be able to move forward with international education, full-steam,” Beavers said. “It’s never too early to start planning.”