Reopening SUNY Study Abroad Programs

It has come to our attention that SUNY and the Governor's Office have still not given the OK to reopen study abroad programs since closed by former Governor Cuomo in March 2020. As students who are back on campus, with some feeling of normalcy, camaraderie, and school spirit, it has been uplifting to see colleagues, faculty, and friends again. This news is more than disappointing for our friends and classmates who have not yet had the chance to study abroad.

SUNY is most proud to have put together protocols for safe reopening to offer this "normal" campus environment. What is most frustrating is that while living in a CDC level 4 country, why can't students have this experience at the partner universities overseas that have done the same? Universities worldwide have come together to get to the point of safe reopening, and restricting our students from this life-changing experience is heartbreaking.

Additionally, SUNY's Campuses have welcomed back international and exchange students, who enhance the campus environment and support the local economy and small businesses. SUNY's study abroad programs have community connections around the world, and we are not able to reciprocate in this way.

Over the past year and a half, many students have missed out on having fulfilling international academic experiences as we have had. Our friends have graduated without having the chance because they deferred for each canceled study abroad term and came to the point of graduation. 

The data proves that international experiences enhance graduate school and job applications. SUNY is not fully equipping its students for these endeavors by denying learning overseas, constraining their ability to broaden their horizons academically, professionally, and personally.

According to a recent Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) survey regarding fall 2021 study abroad programming, 70% of respondents are resuming some study abroad activity for fall 2021, while SUNY is part of the 9% of institutions that have suspended all study abroad for fall 2021.

Not only did SUNY cancel fall 2021, but winter and spring are still "up in the air" as the bureaucracy of New York State prevails. The cancellation of programs for the fall of 2021 and possibly the upcoming 2022 is disappointing for those with fantastic study abroad experiences that we can only dream of for our friends and classmates.

We ask that campus leadership take a stronger stance with SUNY Administration and the Governor's Office to reopen our study abroad programs. We deserve the world. Give us access to it!