Tag: study abroad

Nazareth curtails two programs because of coronavirus

Nazareth College has curtailed two study abroad programs as precautions in light of the global outbreaks of the coronavirus.

President Daan Braveman issued a statement on Wednesday saying Nazareth would call home its students now studying in Italy, where the virus poses a potential health hazard for them and precautions are limiting their freedom of movement. There are 12 Nazareth students in Italy.

Daan Braveman
Daan Braveman

Additionally, the college has canceled this summer’s Study Abroad For English program, which brings Asian students to the Pittsford campus for several weeks. The SAFE program for foreign high school and college students had been scheduled to run its summer session from July 18 to Aug. 8 and typically draws about 80 students.

Braveman noted that while there have been no cases of the virus in New York, the college is monitoring the global situation, particularly with its other study abroad programs in mind, and preparing in case the epidemic arrives locally.

“As we did 10 years ago with the outbreak of the swine flu, we are convening a task force to create plans in the event that the coronavirus spreads in the U.S.,” his statement said.

Braveman also asked members of the Nazareth Community to show compassion for international students at the college whose loved ones may be in uncertain circumstances due to the epidemic.

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RIT wins grants for collaborative study in Colombia, Peru

Rochester Institute of Technology has won two $25,000 grants that will buttress study abroad in two South American countries.

RIT engineers demonstrate a 3-D printer to elementary students in Colombia.
RIT engineers demonstrate a 3-D printer to elementary students in Colombia.

The grants come from the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund and will pair RIT with universities in Lima, Peru, and Cali, Colombia. The fund is awarded by the U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas and NASFA: Association of International Educators.

“These face-to-face, problem-based international experiences will enrich our students’ understanding of the cultures, mindsets, systems, and methods of these two important Latin American countries,” said James Myers, associate provost for international education and global programs at RIT. “We are incredibly grateful to our partners in Colombia and Peru for their support and friendship in developing these opportunities.”

One grant supports a program with the Universidad del Pacifico in Lima, aiming to provide international hospitality and business curricula focusing on food and beverage supply chains. Wegmans and Constellation Brands have both committed support with guest speakers and facility tours when the students from Peru visit Rochester.

The other grant connects RIT with  Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAO) and Corporación Universitaria Comfacauca (UniComfacauca) in Cali. RIT students will continue collaborating with students from Colombia on engineering projects. Earlier this year, RIT and UAO students developed a solar-powered 3-D printing system, with an eye toward attracting youth to advanced manufacturing techniques.

The grants will subsidize travel and material costs for students and faculty who participate in the two programs.

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