Study abroad programs ended early due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and students are in self-quarantine.
Students studying abroad returned to the United States, and some entered an immediate two-week quarantine period by request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Olive Koehler, theatre and performance junior, was studying abroad in Florence, Italy, during the outbreak.
“We didn’t think it was that big of a deal at first, and we got approval to stay,” Koehler said. “A couple people chose to leave, but we thought, ‘It’s okay, we’ll be fine. We’re young, and it won’t affect us.’”
Koehler said she grew more concerned when the CDC declared Italy a level 3 country and recommended tourists avoid non-essential travel.
“Once the CDC declared the area a level 3, we weren’t sure if we would even be able to leave if things got worse,” Koehler said. “That’s around the time I decided it would be best to leave. I figured if I didn’t leave on my own, I would eventually be told to.”
Olivia White, acting junior, was studying abroad in Ormskirk, England when students were returning to the United States from Italy.
“My cousin and best friend were studying in Italy, and when they went home I still didn’t understand that it was that big of a deal at all,” White said. “I was just grateful to still be studying abroad at that point.”
White said she was supposed to spend Easter break in Rome, and grew more concerned when the trip was cancelled.
“I was super excited about going, and when I realized it wasn’t happening anymore, I thought it was the end of the world,” White said. “Looking back, oh my gosh. It was definitely not the end of the world.”
White said OCU allowed her to choose whether to stay or leave, and she ultimately chose to go home.
“It all happened so fast,” White said. “That Wednesday, I had no clue I was going to leave, and by Thursday night I had a flight home. It was whiplash like no other.”
Koehler said making her way home was a frightening experience.
“It was scary trying to figure out how to get back home and figuring everything out financially, while also watching everything get so much worse around me,” Koehler said. “Slowly, as time went by, there were less and less people out and about in Italy, plus it was dark and raining everywhere. It was very sad.”
Koehler said she received no financial support from the university for extra expenses she paid as a result of the outbreak.
“I had no problems at all with how the situation was handled, but it would have been amazing if they paid for my plane ride back, or refunded me in some way,” Koehler said.
White said the university made her feel seen and heard throughout the ordeal.
“I’m really glad that they let me make the decisions for myself, even though I kind of wish that they had just told me I had to go home because, honestly, that would have been easier for me,” White said. “I definitely think they made the right decision in letting me choose, though. They made me feel validated in my emotions.”
Koehler said she entered quarantine as soon as she returned home, and was supposed to return to school after spring break.
“I was excited to leave quarantine and see my friends after spring break, but now I won’t be able to see them,” Koehler said. “They were here while I was in quarantine, but now that I’m out, they’re not here.”
White also entered quarantine when she came home.
“I’m so happy to be back in the country, even though I’m in self-isolation,” White said. “I can’t even hug my parents after not seeing them for three months. Even then, I would rather be in this country than other places right now, because it was really scary.”
Koehler said she encourages students to take precautions seriously.
“It’s not about us,” Koehler said. “It’s about making sure the older population doesn’t get it, or people like my sister, who has asthma. This time is rough, but we need to contain this and prevent it from spreading. It’s going to suck, but it’s better than the alternative.”
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