Anonymous wrote:We have researched this. Yes, US students can still get student visas, even during Covid. Some programs, however, will cancel program if CDC has the country as level 3 which is all European countries right now. But, there are programs that are still a go even with a level Edesignation. You can research them. We are on the fence. Its her junior year so only chance but worried about covid. However, they are fairly careful in europe so...we shall see.

a
NP with lots of family in two countries in Europe. Europe is experiencing big spikes in the virus again, right now. And I expect they will keep seeing spikes. And: The flu season hits over there in Dec-Feb just as it does here -- smack at the start of those January spring semesters abroad. Flu plus pandemic will affect them over here just as it will affect us here. Don't depend at all on your DC's program actually happening because one of the first things most countries are likely to do with spikes is keep out anyone coming from abroad, even those coming for longer-term programs. Even if your DC's college wants a study abroad program to go ahead, the country that is the destination might shut things down. And kids already there could end up scrambling to get home, or stuck abroad with everything shut down.

Also-- they are actually NOT nearly as "careful" in Europe as many people here want to believe. There are lots of anti-masking protests, anti-vaccination sentiment, "live your life," "let's all get infected and develop herd immunity" types in European countries -- we just hear less about it, but there are plenty of people like that there, too. I'm appalled at how many of our relatives' friends defy mask orders or think it's dandy to socialize, etc.

I have a college DC myself and know DC would love to go abroad for a semester or summer program but think it will not happen at all. DC can investigate grad degrees or postgrad summer programs abroad but I think undergrad, even two years hence, is going to be too iffy.

buy really good insurance.

I run study abroad programs at a University. Consulates are opening back up and are issuing student visas to Americans. Study abroad program providers and Universities abroad are adjusting dates to accommodate for 14 day quarantines. It's still too early to say, but it's far more likely than the fall was looking, and your kid will likely be safer from the virus and have better access to healthcare abroad than in the US, even in countries that you may not think of great places to seek medical care. If your kid wants to go, they should start an application and of course, develop a plan B.

Anonymous wrote:We have researched this. Yes, US students can still get student visas, even during Covid. Some programs, however, will cancel program if CDC has the country as level 3 which is all European countries right now. But, there are programs that are still a go even with a level 3 designation. You can research them. We are on the fence. Its her junior year so only chance but worried about covid. However, they are fairly careful in europe so...we shall see.

I went abroad my first semester senior year. She might be able to do that. It meant I was unable to write a thesis but otherwise it worked out fine.

PP. .and our DD is not a run through the streets type so we are not worried about that. However, not sure how much fun it will be.

We have researched this. Yes, US students can still get student visas, even during Covid. Some programs, however, will cancel program if CDC has the country as level 3 which is all European countries right now. But, there are programs that are still a go even with a level 3 designation. You can research them. We are on the fence. Its her junior year so only chance but worried about covid. However, they are fairly careful in europe so...we shall see.

Americans are the pariahs of the world. And our college students are now notorious as irresponsible little shi@s. No one will want them running drunk through their cities.

Hilarious question. Answer - NO WAY.
What country on this planet is going to want students from the US to visit?
I mean seriously? Have you seen the covid numbers here in comparison to the rest of the world? We're banned from most places.

No way. There won’t be a vaccine mass deployed and we are going to be in Northern hemisphere flu/ stuck indoors season and a projected second wave, with our deaths doubling by the end of the year. If we get a vaccine in the lead up to the election, no one will trust it. And the realist projections are December/ January to start a rollout.

And even if a program were going, I wouldn’t send my kid. It’s too unpredictable. Quarantine issues getting into a country— if countries have opened up to Americans (big if). Quarantine issues getting home. A sick kid you can’t get to because of quarantine and can’t get home. Plus, so many restrictions that their experience is not likely to amount to us.

Depending on the results of the election and developments with a vaccine rollout, I think solid programs going to stable countries might reopen in summer 2021. I think there is a great chance for fall 2021.

But no— heading into flu season and an expected second wave of cases, our students are not welcome to visit most countries. That’s not going to change by the end of the year.

My DC headed overseas to study for the entire college experience. So, yes, perhaps your DCs spring abroad will be a go. Kinda depends on our country getting a handle on COVID 19, tho.

I fervently hope so for my DD’s sake. She graduates college in December & is planning to do a spring 2021 study abroad program that involves research and graduate credits. So far, the program is still officially operational for spring, but who knows.

It will suck not to have this option. It’s not a good time for her to be looking for a job, and she’s going to take a much-needed break before grad school (she is disabled and struggled quite a bit to get her degree). If not study abroad, then she’ll need to find an internship somewhere.

Of course not.

Too early, possibly next fall

FFS, no.

What to people think? Will it happen? My DC is so excited but I really think it is impossible.