College and University Blog
U.S. Colleges Recalling Students Studying Abroad in Japan
As the U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to postpone travel to Japan and asks those in Japan to consider departing, colleges and universities across the U.S. are advising or requiring students participating in study abroad programs in Japan to return home.
State Department Urging U.S. Citizens to Evacuate
In response to the catastrophic situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant resulting from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, the State Department is recommending that U.S. citizens located within 50 miles of the power plant evacuate the area or to take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical.
Commercial flights have resumed at all airports that were closed by the earthquake except for Sendai Airport, and the State Department is currently working to assist U.S. citizens to depart from affected areas. Any American in Japan can take advantage of commercial U.S. flights, but private citizens would be expected to reimburse the government for the expense, explains the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Colleges Assisting Students with Returning to U.S.
International academic programs have soared in popularity over the past three decades. According to the Institute of International Education, more than a quarter-million American college students study abroad each year, up substantially from 62,000 in the late 1980s. Educators say that given those figures, troubles have been relatively rare, reports the New York Times. Recent
Melissa Rhone+
Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.