In response to March 11’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake in Japan that triggered a tsunami and an ongoing nuclear crisis, the University’s Study Abroad Programs’ office is suspending its operations in the country during spring term.
“There were too many uncertainties for us to allow the spring program to continue,” said Paul Primak, director of the Oregon University System’s International Programs.
Two days after the quake hit the northeast coastal city of Sendai, OUS decided to recall its 23 students studying in Japan and to inform 12 students in Oregon that their plans to go abroad for spring term would be terminated.
“A disaster of this magnitude is something that we’re not just accustomed to dealing with,” Primak said.
“Given the unpredictability of what is happening now, we thought it prudent to bring our students home.”
University student Rachel Bracker had left Japan a few days prior to the quake, with plans to return to Tokyo for another term abroad.
“I thought that maybe I’d wait a week or two before going back,” Bracker said. “But by then, the program was cancelled.”
Given the 250-mile distance from Sendai to Tokyo, Bracker thought the decision to take her peers out of Japan was too abrupt.
“We could have remained there and been fine,” she said.
Soon after disaster struck, those on her program discovered their passports were going to be revoked,
Bracker explained. Even those who had secure jobs were forced to leave, “including the people that wanted to stay — and a lot of people wanted to stay,” she said.
Primak said some students even posed arguments to him for why they wanted to stay in Japan, despite the havoc.
Yet, the decision to suspend operations ultimately came down to an issue of resources. Amid Tokyo’s frequent electrical blackouts and food runs, Primak said it was important not to assert any extra pressure on OUS’s network of host families and colleagues abroad.
“Any time you start to curtail operations in foreign countries — recalling students who are very happy to be where they are — it’s a tough decision,” Primak said.
When Bracker returned to campus, she and her classmates were assisted in getting into classes at the last minute with help from University staff and faculty members.
Many other universities, such as Notre Dame, Dartmouth and the University of California have also recalled students studying abroad in Japan.
Study Abroad Programs will continue its programs in Tokyo, Sapporo and Akita in summer 2011.
[email protected]
Japanese quake recalls students studying overseas
Daily Emerald
March 27, 2011
0
More to Discover