Studying Abroad During COVID-19, Told by Students Currently Abroad

Following the year and a half lockdown that shook the world, we are beginning to adjust to what is commonly being known as the “new normal.” COVID-19 has drastically changed our daily lives, as well as the way we travel and connect with others around the world. The pandemic had a profound impact on people's lives in trivial ways and dramatically impacted overall life plans, and Elon students are no exception to this.

Elon University, nationally known for its study abroad program, has been limited in its ability and opportunity to send students abroad over the last two years. This semester, Elon upperclassmen took their chances with the pandemic in an attempt to have the full study abroad experience, and for most people, that leap of faith totally paid off. Mostly stationed in Europe, Elon students connect with our campus from their homes away from home in countries like France, England, Italy and Denmark.

For generations, studying abroad has been an opportunity for students to fully experience and immerse themselves in a culture almost entirely different from their own. From food to language to sports and everything in between, Elon students are more enthusiastic than ever about the chance to travel and break out of what is commonly known as “the Elon Bubble.” Wellsley Cohen, a junior at Elon, is spending her semester studying in Italy and notes the uniqueness of the opportunity.

“Getting to study and immerse myself in another country for four months is something I probably won't be able to do at any other point in my life and getting to do it with friends is such a great learning experience. Planning travel and having the freedom to really go wherever we want is so incredible,” she said.

Caroline Bunder is also a junior at Elon and is spending her semester in England. Caroline's time in England has been “nothing short of incredible,” and she said she is so excited to “have had the opportunity to experience an entirely new culture here in England.”

All over the world, Elon students are being pushed into new levels of independence and self growth. Nathan Moskowitz, studying abroad in Copenhagen, says his experience studying abroad has been “such a cool new experience. You’re so independent. You have a lot of responsibility placed on you, but it’s so worth it and so much fun. I am so, so happy that I came here.”

Europe specifically is a very popular study abroad location, partially due to the opportunity for students to travel to nearby countries. From their respective cities, students can take short plane, train or car rides and spend a day, weekend or vacation in an entirely different country. Caroline and Wellsley have already taken full advantage of this opportunity.

Wellesley specifically noted this proximity and availability for even more travel as one of the best parts of her program. “This is an experience we would have never had in the United States and it has allowed us to explore so many different cultures and places in such a short and affordable way,” she said.

In 2020, the emergence and spread of COVID-19 caused thousands of students to quarantine, return home or entirely lose their opportunity to study abroad. For the next year, and even still, programs and students face difficult decisions and are forced to weigh the risks. Despite the risk of Covid derailing or even causing a full cancelation of their program, every single student I spoke to was thrilled with and totally happy with their decision to study abroad.

Abby Villella, a junior spending her semester in London, England, is “very grateful for such a fun challenge” and says that her semester abroad has already taught her “so much about [herself] and the world.”

Because of the significant impact Covid continues to have throughout the world, it was surprising to learn about the uniqueness of their programs and countries and their approach to handling Covid.

Ivy Montague, who is studying and living in France for the semester, says that COVID-19 “hasn’t interrupted too much of [her] experience.” In France, she explained, “to enter a restaurant or bar you have to show your passe sanitaire which proves you’re vaccinated, so we can go out without worrying about Covid too much.”

Similarly, Caroline notes the relaxed and open nature of Covid precautions in England. “Everything is open, face masks are required on public transport which is not hard to abide by but we don’t wear masks in classes, all bars and pubs are open to no masks and walking around, people are happily socializing without trying to social distance. Life seems so normal here in London, but there is a huge emphasis on getting vaccinated.”

Caroline and Wellsley both compared the situation and standards to that of the U.S. and even said that Europe is “actually almost the same if not better than the United States. The requirements for masks and vaccination proof has really lowered the cases in the country.”

We’re excited for the students who have the opportunity to go abroad this semester and hope the programs continue to run.