糖心Vlog

After a hiatus caused by COVID-19 restrictions, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 study abroad programs have returned in a limited capacity during the Fall 2021 semester.聽

The Office of International Programs (OIP) consistently monitored the pandemic conditions since January 2020. After extensive review, Meredith approved a semester program at the College鈥檚 site in Sansepolcro, Italy, and additional options through vetted and approved affiliate programs.

鈥淥IP has been completely immersed in COVID-19 work since January 2020. Our decision-making process throughout has been to collect daily information from multiple sources, including the CDC, State Department, Overseas Security Advisory Council, WHO, professional listservs, local contacts abroad, expert colleagues at Meredith, and many other informational resources on travel safety,鈥� said Director of International Programs Brooke Shurer. 鈥淎fter many months of gathering information, and in consultation with the Provost’s Office and the Student Health Center, we felt confident in approving programs to proceed for fall 2021. It was a very happy day when I was able to send fall 2021 official acceptance letters.鈥�

A variety of mitigation measures were put in place for study abroad participants, including a requirement to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Students will also be able to travel only within their host country until after their study abroad program ends. Participants will also be required to follow all COVID-19 restrictions put in place by their host countries. OIP expects these new study abroad requirements to continue for the foreseeable future.聽

鈥淥perating during a pandemic means we’ve had to put some new protocols and policies in place to help support the healthiest, most successful experience possible, in alignment with expert recommendations in the U.S. and abroad,鈥� Shurer said.聽

Continuing with this cautious approach, Shurer said OIP expects to offer more study abroad options in the spring and summer of 2022.

鈥淚 would classify the reinstatement of study abroad this fall as a careful re-emergence, as opposed to an 鈥榦pen the floodgates鈥� approach,鈥� Shurer said. 鈥淲e expect to offer a spring 2022 semester in Italy, as well as a considerable list of Meredith Abroad faculty-led summer programs in multiple disciplines and locations. We will also offer Meredith Affiliate opportunities for summer and semester through our partner providers.鈥�

OIP will keep monitoring pandemic conditions going forward.

鈥淲e will continue our process of evaluating location and program feasibility on an ongoing, case-by-case basis as the health and safety situation continues to evolve in the U.S. and abroad,鈥� said Shurer.聽

Study Abroad Fair
OIP will host a Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. in the courtyard between Johnson Hall and Belk Dining Hall. The Study Abroad Fair is the launch event for Meredith鈥檚 international program offerings and application process for spring, summer, and fall 2022. Students interested in study abroad should also attend a Study Abroad 101 workshop, which provides an overview of program options, application processes, and funding opportunities.聽

Visit meredith.edu/OIP for more information.