September 3 Campus Memo

Information regarding study abroad for Spring 2022.

September 3, 2021

Dear faculty, staff, and students,

I hope this email finds everyone doing well today and acclimating to the new fall semester. It is truly wonderful to see our vibrant community come alive once again.

After much close and careful deliberation, including discussions with our team of consulting epidemiologists, Academic Affairs has made the difficult decision to suspend all outbound study abroad programs for Spring 2022 due to the prolonged uncertainties of COVID-19's impact on international travel, as well as concerns surrounding the several variants that prevail worldwide. This decision encompasses all semester-long programs, including all programs offered by MICA's international exchange and affiliate partnerships.

As outbreaks and confirmed cases associated with COVID-19 continue to fluctuate globally, and vaccination rates vary from country to country, due to limited global supplies, MICA remains vigilant in monitoring travel advisories and warnings issued by the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

As you know, we are working hard to ensure the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students, including those members of our community considering international travel program participation. The College will continue to assess all related guidance for the Fall 2022 semester, and we are very hopeful that full participation will be possible in light of expanding vaccination rates and more optimistic predictions for international travel. We will monitor and evaluate conditions closely and consult with MICA’s team of epidemiologist consultants to determine the safest actions for Fall 2022.

If you have questions relating to Fall 2022 abroad and exchange programs or future international programs, please contact the Office of International Education at internationaleducation@mica.edu or 410.225.2243.

 

Sincerely,

Tiffany