News of British voters deciding Britain should withdraw from the European Union (EU) may be roiling investors and economic markets worldwide as a serious threat to the future of the economic pact that ties most Western Europe nations together.
For Hannah Dye, a rising junior at Goucher College in Baltimore, and thousands of college students across the country set for study-abroad programs this summer, the news is not as rattling. Dye, who is set to join several dozen Goucher students for study in Scotland, can keep her bags packed.
“Nothing will change regarding existing programs, or student participation in them,” says Eric Singer, a professor of political science and international relations at Goucher.” The only thing that will change will be saving on the exchange rate,” noted Singer, who works with the nearly 500 students each year sent to study abroad as a requirement to finishing the institution.
Indeed, academic leaders across the nation cite several reasons for their feeling there is no near-term fear of study-abroad programs in England or other nation’s being significantly impacted by Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, regardless of political developments in Europe or the United States.
“The CSU Chancellor’s Office enjoys strong partnerships across the UK and no impact is expected in the short term on students, faculty or those programs,” says Laurie Weidner, assistant vice chancellor for public affairs in the California State University (CSU) Office of the Chancellor. Each of CSU’s 23 campuses have study-abroad programs that run year-round, including five with various institutions in Britain, she says.
Weidner’s reference to “strong partnerships” with institutions minimizing any impact of the so-called “Brexit” vote last week was echoed by several academic leaders with study-abroad programs.
“I don’t see why it (the British exit from the EU) would affect study-abroad programs,” said Dr. William Harvey, president of Virginia-based Hampton University and chairman of the Board of Advisors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Harvey’s institution is among a growing number of HBCUs to step up their focus on the value of study-abroad experiences for their students.
