As the 2019-2020 academic year ends, students are already looking ahead toward the fall semester. This is especially true of those who are planning to spend the semester abroad.
The International Division is in the process of making decisions about program cancellations on a rolling basis to allow for the most up to date assessment of conditions. Please be aware that cancellations are very likely as the environment is understood with greater clarity.
Please note that the processes taking place to determine the status of programs abroad should not be perceived as an indicator of the status of on-campus programming for the fall semester.
Decisions on international programming will be made based on important considerations such as program start dates, visa application dates, program fee cancellation deadlines, and the prevailing guidance on travel from U.S. agencies. Above all, our top priority is the health and safety of participants.
I am confident that this approach will give students the greatest opportunity to embark on their fall semester as planned, while still allowing time to make other plans for the semester should the need arise. This approach also allows study abroad staff to ensure that program hosts are able to deliver the high-quality experiences that Badgers have come to expect.
All participants will be notified as soon as any modifications are made to their specific program. All decisions to cancel programming will be made no later than July 15. Students should reach out to their study abroad advisor directly if they have any questions about their program’s timeline, or what they should be doing now to prepare to study abroad in the fall or explore alternatives.
Best,
Guido Podestá
Vice provost and dean, International Division