Map of Japan.
Updated Saturday, March 19, 2011
In light of recent events—including the U.S. State Department travel warning for Japan and continuing uncertainty over Japan’s nuclear crisis following last Friday’s major earthquake—Gustavus has made the decision to bring home its six students studying in the country this semester.
Five of the students have been studying at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata, near Osaka. One student has been studying in Nagoya through the IES Abroad program, which today announced it is evacuating its students from Japan as well. Gustavus’s travel insurer will work with students to arrange their prompt return to the United States.
“This was a difficult decision for us,” said Provost and Dean of the College David Fienen. “We recognize the richness of the academic experience for our students in Japan. At the same time, however, their safety is our highest priority.”
Travel arrangements are currently being made and the students are expected to return to the U.S. within the next few days. None were in the area affected by the earthquake, aftershocks, tsunami, or nuclear plant leak.
Gustavus has a long partnership, including student and faculty exchange programs, with Kansai Gaidai. Located near Osaka, the university focuses on foreign language studies, has an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students, and is known for its large Asian Studies program as well as its Intensive English Studies program for Japanese students planning to study abroad. IES Abroad is a Chicago-based nonprofit consortium that delivers study experiences to some 5,300 U.S. students in 34 cities worldwide each year.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510