Boston University students studying abroad in Japan were recommended to return home this week after the program at the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies was cancelled for the remainder of the Spring 2011 semester in response to the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck the country on March 11.
On March 18, the KCJS, through which the BU Office of International Programs offers students a Kyoto study abroad program, announced that it would suspend the rest of the current semester.
In a letter sent out to students and parents on March 19, BUIP announced that it was in total agreement with KCJS in cancelling the semester.
“Please understand that this decision was not taken lightly but only after careful deliberation and communication between KCJS, BU, and the other universities making up the KCJS consortium,” the letter read. “We believe this action to be prudent and in the best interest of our students.”
Director of Institutional Relations at BUIP Joseph Finkhouse said all nine BU students studying abroad in Kyoto were safe following the earthquake and tsunami.
“All the students are safe and in the process of making plans to return to the U.S. and finish the semester remotely,” Finkhouse said. “International Programs is getting in touch with all of them to offer whatever assistance we can.”
Left without a university for the rest of the semester, the students studying in Kyoto are being given assignments by their professors to in order finish their classes and the KCJS semester remotely, and will receive full credit as long as they complete course requirements, Finkhouse said.
“Some may go home, some may head for other destinations,” Finkhouse said. “Since they are finishing the semester remotely, it is up to them.”
The letter sent out by BUIP urged all students studying abroad at KJCS this semester to depart Japan immediately, clarifying that BU nor KJCS will be responsible for any students choosing to remain in Japan following the disaster.
In a letter sent out to students, parents and faculty on March 14, President Robert Brown offered condolences to those in Japan.
“The thoughts and prayers of the Boston University community are with the students and staff who have families and friends in the afflicted region of Japan,” Brown wrote in his letter.
Brown confirmed that all BU faculty and students in Japan when the earthquake and tsunami hit are safe.
“I write you to let you know that the members of the Boston University community in Japan are safe, including students in the study abroad programs in Kyoto and Tokyo, our employees at our liaison office in Tokyo, and faculty traveling in Japan,” Brown wrote.
Finkhouse said that while the remainder of the current semester at the KJCS has been cancelled, BUIP is hopeful that the program will be reinstated by the Fall 2011 semester.
“We fully intend to participate in the consortium going forward,” Finkhouse said. “At this time we anticipate that students will participate in the program fall semester.”
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Can you write more releases like this one
Thank you so much for your articles.