MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF STUDY ABROAD RESPONSE TO CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SITUATION
February 2003

Message from John K. Hudzik
Dean, International Studies and Programs
Michigan State University

MSU's study abroad programs have no higher priority than the safety of MSU students. In the current world climate, this focus on safety takes on renewed urgency. Events are continuously being monitored to enable MSU to act in the best interest of our students who are abroad, now and in the future.

This is not the first time that study abroad professionals and MSU have faced this kind of situation. MSU has been moving students out into the world since the 1950s. We have done so during a number of wars and conflicts including Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, the invasion of Afghanistan and various other US military involvements over the years.

At the time of this writing, all MSU programs are continuing as scheduled, except for those in Israel, Nepal, and Zimbabwe, which have been suspended for some time now.

In addition to continuing our current study abroad programs, we have NOT cancelled any programs slated to begin in the summer. Our program locations have been chosen after careful consideration of safety and security factors. We have conducted recent reviews of program country sites and are doing so on a continuous basis. We have no reason to foresee undue risk for study abroad students in any of the countries to which we currently send students, or are planning to send students this coming year.

Our decisions about keeping programs open or closing them are guided by a variety of information sources. We receive and evaluate carefully all public announcements and advisories from the US Department of State and its Overseas Security Advisory Council, as well as regular reports from our staff and partner institutions around the world. We also consider the expert advice of faculty and others who are, or have recently been, in the country, and multiple news sources.

In the event of military action in the Middle East, MSU will review all program locations to determine what, if any, impact the hostilities are having on our program locations. It is important to stress however that we do not have any reason to believe that American students, in most parts of the world, will be at any greater risk than they would be in the United States in the event of hostilities in Iraq. With the exception of the Middle East, where a few isolated incidents have involved Americans, no organized or systematic aggression against US citizens has appeared where we operate programs, nor have any organized or systemic threats been made against American students.

The University-wide Risk and Security Assessment Committee reviews every study abroad program location. Unless this committee determines that a program should be closed for safety and security reasons, it is not our intention to cancel or close any program in the event of a war with Iraq. In the unlikely event that a program would be cancelled by MSU, see the MSU Office of Study Abroad website at for applicable refund policies.

As students apply for programs, the Office of Study Abroad will keep them updated with current information. We will continue to monitor the conditions in each of our study abroad locations. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Study Abroad.

Contact information:
Kathleen Fairfax, Director
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 353-8920 / Fax: (517) 432-2082
http://studyabroad.msu.edu
e-mail: kfairfax@msu.edu