Thank you for publishing the recent editorial, “In the face of terror, UC should not curb study abroad.” We cannot speak for individual University of California campuses, but as the associate vice provost and executive director of the UC Education Abroad Program, a systemwide program serving all 10 UC campuses, I wish to clarify that with the exception of the suspension of our programming in Turkey for the 2016-2017 academic year, we currently have no plans to curb programs or halt development.
The UCEAP International Health, Safety and Emergency Response unit in California, and a network of local staff, faculty and partner institutions abroad, are dedicated to safety and emergency response related to its programs around the world. In addition, the UC system provides all travelers with comprehensive travel resilience services in partnership with renowned assistance and security providers. UCEAP is committed to promoting safe programming and to offering reliable safety and health information to its students and their parents so they may be prepared and make informed decisions while abroad.
With strong support from the UC Office of the President, we continue to expand our program development to offer more and varied opportunities for all UC students wishing to include an education abroad experience in their academic planning.
Sincerely,
Vivian-Lee Nyitray, associate vice provost and executive director of the University of California Education Abroad Program