What happens when students are studying abroad in a country and turmoil erupts?
SVSU's Study Abroad office faced this situation with Zachary Brissette, a student who was in Egypt as protests against former President Hosni Mubarek took place.
Brissette was at the American University of Cairo when the protests began. He was evacuated to Istanbul, Turkey, soon after the U.S. State Department ordered American citizens to leave the country.
"Even after things started calming down, he wanted to go back," said Janna Kern, SVSU's Study Abroad coordinator. "But from a security and risk standpoint, we can't have our students in harm's way like that."
By the time Brissette was forced out of the university, it was too late in the semester for him to sign up for any classes at SVSU. He chose to stay in Istanbul for a few weeks and now plans to travel to Europe.
Before the turmoil in Egypt began, Kern had not encountered a study abroad situation like Brissette's. However, she said that SVSU is prepared for situations like his if they occur.
The University has the right to veto applications to study abroad if students are planning to go to an unsafe country. The school will evacuate students immediately if the State Department issues a travel warning.
"We don't send anyone to a country that has a current travel warning through the United States," Kern explained.
She added that if a student is in a country when a travel warning is issued, the office will "monitor the situation" and keep an eye for orders requiring U.S. residents to leave a country. If that happens, Kern says the office will "act accordingly" to follow the order. She also explained that every overseas university SVSU has contact with has on-site professionals to assist SVSU students if such a situation occurs.
Kern said that students shouldn't be discouraged from studying abroad, though. She said that students can talk to the Study Abroad office and gather the information they need if they are considering the travel.
"Come in and talk to us," she said. "Let us know what countries you're interested in and we can give you an informed choice so that you look at all of your options before you make a decision."
If a student applies to visit a country and is denied,Kern says that there are always other options available. She cited an example from a previous study abroad program.
"Last year, for instance, there was a faculty-led program that wanted to go to Kenya, but it was under travel warning," she said. "So we found another location in Africa that the group could go to and the program ended up taking place in Zambia."
If students are nervous about going overseas, Kern said that they should consider studying abroad with a facultyled program. Each program is monitored and researched by the Study Abroad office and SVSU can veto these programs if they present unsafe situations for those traveling. Kern said that strict safety guidelines combined with the knowledge of a faculty member may ease some of those nerves.
"On faculty-led programs, you have a faculty member who has been there before, is very knowledgeable of the area, knows the customs and knows the laws," she said.
She added that the Study Abroad office will do everything it can to make sure that students are informed before they travel.
"Before a student even gets on a plane to go, we have an orientation session with them, in which we go over safety information, such as how to register with the U.S. Embassy in that location," she said.
Additionally, students receive information packets which have tips on how students can avoid health issues and culture shock. Kern said that the Study Abroad office will equip them with the essential tools needed to remain safe.
In addition to getting information on how to stay safe during their travels, Kern said that one of the safest things students can do is to stay in contact with the U.S. State Department in case a situation like the protests in Egypt arises.
"Wherever you go, make sure you are registered through the State Department so that if there is a crisis, they already have you on file and know you're there and you can be contacted and evacuated if need be," she said.