RENO, Nev. (AP) - The University of Nevada in Reno has joined a number of universities in canceling study abroad programs amid fears over the deadly virus that originated in China.
Two dozen university students in Italy and three students in South Korea are expected to return to the United States and continue their courses online because of the increasing threat of the virus which causes the disease named COVID-19.
Several international programs are being monitored by the University Studies Abroad Consortium, which organizes programs of study in other countries for 200 colleges, officials said.
“Health and safety of students is our number one priority,” consortium President and CEO Alyssa Nota said.
The decision came after the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level 3 warning for Italy and South Korea, meaning all non-essential travel is not recommended.
The study abroad program in Japan scheduled to start later this month is also being monitored and could be canceled for the two students enrolled. The university has already canceled at least one summer program in China.
All other future international study trips are expected to proceed as planned.
There are no reports in lack of interest in study abroad programs, “we aren’t seeing a drop in applications for summer or fall and they continue to come in,” Nota said.
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