Awake:

11/20/20 5 a.m. – I drowsily glance at my phone and see a message on whatsApp 

I am jolted from sleep. You see, in my world, whatsApp is the mechanism used with my students studying abroad to transmit emergency messages. Every semester my outbound students and I agree to only use whatsApp in the case of an emergency. This allows us both to understand and react to urgent situations and avoid the confusion of sending and receiving information across many communication platforms; such as email, voicemail and text. 

Flashback: 

09/01/20 – The provost and I have agreed to allow one student to study abroad in the fall semester. He is an outstanding student with a high gpa and impressive recommendations from his department faculty.  Our university has a special relationship with Oxford University and I am confident with the on-site staff to communicate with me and to take good care of our student during his 12 weeks in England.

Arrival:

 09/17/20 – Student sends word via email of his safe arrival to the partner university. He is two weeks ahead of the Michaelmas (fall) term due to a new requirement that students from the US (and other COVID high countries) must quarantine upon entering the UK. He is well provisioned in his single dormitory room and upbeat about his, unusual study abroad semester. 

Midterm: 

10/30/20 – Sometimes I almost forget I have a student abroad. The world feels like it’s falling apart. Since his departure abroad we have had searing heatwave, deadly wildfires, a president with the virus, a deceased Chief Justice and election mania. COVID is waxing and waning around the globe.  I don’t usually send the students too much correspondence as they need to step away from screens that keep them in the US  and make local friends. But he can’t make friends this term. Why did I allow him to go? How is he? 

Update: 

11/04/20 – At my request, the student sends an update of his experience.  A 3-page email. Too long. He is struggling.  His message relays his quiet day’s reading, studying and writing in his small dorm room. All food is boxed in the dining commons and brought back to his little space for eating. He sees other students, but just their eyes, as the rest of the face is, of course covered. His message tries to sound upbeat, but there is a subtext of disappoint and regret of what this experience could have been.  I’m sad for him.  I’m also angry with myself for setting him up for such a bleak and depressing term. He mentions a bright moment in his week of getting a reservation at Woodsbury library. Ugh. 

Mobilize:  

11/20/20 9 a.m. – We’ve exchanged several texts. He is sick. He is nervous. Could it be COVID? He has an appointment for a test and will keep me posted, via whatsapp. I contact the provost and we hold our breath for 24 hours.  I’m so frustrated with my decision to let him study abroad. What was I thinking? How will we respond if he is positive with the dumb virus? He will have to stay there. We can’t bring him home. I run scenarios in my head. 

Relief: 

11/21/20 10:30 a.m. – His test comes back negative. He is happy and I am relieved. He will be home in three weeks. This semester has been the hardest of my career.  I wish we could all go back to the normal times. But I know there are still more rocky times ahead. 

Conclusion: 

11/30/20 – We are not sending any students abroad in spring 2021.