Given the political turmoil and civil unrest in Egypt, the Study Abroad Office decided Monday afternoon to cancel all of its current programs in the country and bring back all University students there.
Advisors and representatives from the office met with administrative officials throughout Monday to assess the severity of the country’s situation and the danger it poses to the students.
Beginning last week, thousands of protestors gathered in Cairo to call for President Hosni Mubarak to step down in lieu of the upcoming September elections. Since then, violence has continued to escalate, and more than 100 people have died across Egypt.
Steve Nussbaum, director of Student International Academic Affairs for the University, said the decision to bring University students home was made at a good time.
“I think the decision to bring the students back happened early enough that none of the students’ safety has been threatened,” Nussbaum said. “In fact, many of them are sad to be returning to campus early, and asked if they could finish the semester in Egypt.”
Nussbaum said the Study Abroad Office is working closely with the students to construct class schedules for the spring semester so that the transition back to Illinois goes as smoothly as possible upon their return.
“We are bringing the students back early enough that they will not fall behind in their studies,” Nussbaum said. “All of them will graduate on time and they should not have any problems getting into the classes they need.”
Nussbaum said that, in the meantime, the University communicates with all of the students several times a day, though he could not release specifics about how many students are abroad or about the last time a correspondence with them occurred.
“Cell phones are working still, so we speak regularly with the students, their parents, and the host families and universities in Egypt,” Nussbaum said.
Nussbaum also said he could not release any specific information about which schools in Egypt are hosting Illinois students. He could only say that the universities are in Cairo and Alexandria.
Nussbaum said the Study Abroad Office also has not decided on a deadline by which to have all students return.
“We prefer not to release any specifics for the sake of the students and the host universities,” Nussbaum said.
“But I can say that we have spoken to the administration and they fully support and encourage our decision. We are working diligently to make arrangements for the students’ safe return.”
