Study Abroad Cancelation Sorrows

Writer Emma Bittner Designer Helen Hulsey

Studying abroad is just one of the many things that COVID-19 put a halt to this year. Hundreds of students from the university planned on studying abroad this summer but now are left thinking about how to spend the summer in quarantine instead. With this newfound time on their hands, students were able to reflect on the opportunity to study abroad and how the global pandemic has impacted them.

“This summer I had planned to study abroad in Shanghai, China through Moody’s Brand Marketing & Analytics program. As an advertising student, an understanding of media and digital metrics is critical. When I saw the opportunity to engage with this coursework firsthand in Shanghai, the fastest growing media market in the world, I knew it was an opportunity I could not miss. Additionally, the location allowed me to practice the Mandarin I had been studying for years in-person and more deeply connect with my Asian heritage- it felt like the perfect program.

“When my program was canceled due to COVID-19 I was heartbroken. This program matched me so perfectly that I felt like it was meant to be, and its cancelation was the last thing I expected or was prepared for. Now, I plan to spend my summer taking classes remotely through UT. Moving forward, I hope to still go abroad while in college and am exploring the international internship program in Shanghai hosted by UT Global for Summer 2021. Though it is not an ideal situation, I understand why the decision to cancel the abroad program was made and I hope that all students affected still find a way to expand their learning beyond the classroom.”

-Catherine Lindberg, sophomore Advertising major

“This summer I was going to study abroad at Oxford University in the UK to take a travel writing course. I chose this program because I hope to travel on assignment when I am a journalist and wanted to expose myself to a more creative style of writing. Studying in Oxford for six weeks and seeing more of Europe also sounds like a dream! I chose to study abroad because I knew that I did not want to graduate without having the experience of learning abroad. I hope to work as a journalist abroad after graduation so I knew that this experience would be very helpful in deciding my future career.

“The cancellation of my program was heartbreaking for me because I was looking forward to it for months. It also made things complicated because I had an idea in my head of how my college schedule would go and this alters those future plans. I am also now left confused about what I should do this summer to make up for my lost plans, but I know that everyone is also struggling with what to do this summer now. I’m hoping that I will still be able to go the summer before senior year though!”

-Jessica Lenamond, sophomore Journalism major

“This summer, I was planning on studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, and doing a documentary photography course! I have always been a storyteller and knew I wanted to continue that with my future career. Stepping outside of my comfort zone and into another person's shoes is a large part of storytelling and being able to convey an accurate story. Going to the Czech Republic and being in a foreign country with a language other than mine is the perfect opportunity for me to be uncomfortable and understand what it's like to be in someone else's shoes.

“When all study abroad was canceled for Summer 2020, I was devastated. This maymester is something I had heard about before I even got accepted in UT and knew it was something I wanted to do before graduating. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to have the opportunity to study abroad because I knew I needed an internship the next summer. I hope I can find time to study abroad before I graduate because I think it is essential to the college experience.”

-Emma Bittner, sophomore Journalism and Communication & Leadership major

“In the months leading up to March, I prepared to study abroad in London, U.K. During the course of my maymester, I planned to film a documentary on the community life in London. This program aligned perfectly with what I hope to pursue as a career in the future; travel and storytelling of unseen communities. I was really bummed about the cancelation. I worked for months to save enough money for the trip and had already begun reaching out to potential interviewees in London. My heart was set on going, so I am leaning towards attending the program next year.”

-Ashley Miznazi sophomore Journalism and Corporate Communications major

“This summer I was planning on studying and interning in Sydney, Australia. I was going to finish my sociology minor and be placed to intern at a competitive company in Sydney. I’ve never left the country before, and I was so excited to have this opportunity. As a low-income student, this chance didn’t seem possible for me for the majority of my college career, but I worked very hard with financial aid and scholarship applications and financing my trip actually became possible.

“When I found out that my program was canceled, obviously I knew this was the safest and smartest choice, but I was still disappointed and concerned. One concern I had was the fact that I was behind on finding an internship for the summer to afford to live in Austin — as well as have competitive experience on my resume when applying to law school. I hope to still have the chance to travel and experience working in a different country later in my career.”

-Jordan Ludzenski, junior Political Communication major