Bunker Hill Community College is canceling all of its short-term summer study abroad programs this year. The decision, relayed in emails to students last week, came after school leaders reviewed the Trump administration’s recent changes to immigration policy.
A spokesman for the college confirmed the canceled programs to WBUR on Monday.
“Our first priority in any Study Abroad experience is the safety of our students and staff,” a statement read. “With the changes in national immigration policy and enforcement that have emerged over the last several weeks, including the prospect of renewed travel restrictions, the College will redirect this year’s exploration and learning to U.S.-based sites.”
The two-year public college had planned to offer five study abroad programs this summer, starting in late May and going through early July. The one- or two-week experiences would have sent roughly 60 students to Costa Rica, Ghana, Japan, Kenya and Panama to study such topics as wildlife conservation, ecology and organizational culture.
This is one of the latest program disruptions to ripple across the higher education landscape in recent days following actions by the Trump administration. Last week, several dozen students admitted to UMass Chan Medical School’s biomedical science doctorate program were informed their admissions would be rescinded due to federal funding uncertainties. Local universities including Harvard have instituted hiring freezes for similar reasons.
Bunker Hill Community College’s decision was driven by concern over the welfare of students who are not U.S. citizens. International students comprise about 7% of the college’s student body. According to Bunker Hill biology professor Scott Benjamin, who has led the school’s Costa Rica trip since 2002, some international students planned on participating in a study abroad trip this summer.
“The school was just very worried about the probably remote, but still potential possibility that we could go away and come back, and a student couldn’t come back into the country,” Benjamin said.
He added that a particular cause for concern was a draft list of countries for travel bans recently released by the Trump administration.
Benjamin said he supports the school’s decision to be cautious. But he added that the need to cancel the trip is unfortunate since many Bunker Hill students remember these opportunities as a highlight of their college experience.
The Costa Rica trip gives students the opportunity to complete science field work, he said. Students hike around the forest, conduct population studies of animals, identify plants and stay with an indigenous community. They also complete a service project such as painting a school or reading to children.
“For some [of our students], it’s the first time out of the country,” Benjamin added.
Forty-five percent of Bunker Hill students are Pell Grant-eligible, according to a college spokesperson, and most students receive a scholarship to study abroad through one of these programs. According to the program webpage, students are responsible for paying $750 for the cost of participation unless it’s covered by financial aid.
The college does not offer semester or year-long study abroad programs like many four-year institutions. Most Bunker Hill students work while attending school, and many have families. These short programs are their main opportunity to participate in learning abroad, Benjamin said.
The reinstatement of study abroad programs at Bunker Hill remains uncertain. A spokesman said school leaders hope to resume these opportunities “as soon as possible.”
Correction: This story has been updated with the correct percent of Bunker Hill students who are Pell-eligible.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
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