Earlier this semester, an email went out to all students planning to study abroad next semester as part of Lipscomb’s Global Learning program. Although disappointing, the announcement it contained may not have come as a surprise to all.
The email stated that global learning will be canceled for next spring, given a couple of different reasons.
In the statement Provost, W. Craig Bledsoe said, “all of our semester-long study abroad host countries are limiting or restricting entrance from residents of other nations and have Level 3 US Department of State travel advisory status.” Costa Rica, London, Vienna, and Florence are the locations available for semester-long study abroad, which are the locations referred to.
The next ground for calling off Global Learning was the other risk factors that have arisen out of the global pandemic and the numbers not yet dropping.
“I know this is disappointing to you as it is to all of us at Lipscomb,” said Bledsoe. This may have been the second time that some students have gotten this news, considering that Global Learning was already canceled for the fall of this year.
For the students who are worried about what the next semester will look like now, Bledsoe states, “we have a dedicated team to work with you to help you register for spring classes and to reserve appropriate dorm space, if needed.”
As for the students who were the recipients of this news, they will be able to remain in their current housing location and keep their meal plan, as well as priority for the next group of global learners.
Bledsoe added, “We have some exciting new summer and fall 2021 study abroad opportunities that you will have priority consideration for as well.”
The Global Learning office officially announced that next summer programs would now include trips to both London and Costa Rica.
If any students who have further questions about global learning are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Global Learning at globallearning@lipscomb.edu. As of now, global learning is still expected to happen next summer and the following fall and spring.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Global Learning Instagram page. — @lipscombglobal