COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information for Study Abroad Students

Dear McDaniel Study-Abroad Students:

It is with deep regret but with profound concern for your health and well-being that I am ordering a mandatory return of all our students to the United States as soon as possible. First, I apologize to you that you must feel as if our communications to you have been a ping-pong match of do this, no, do that, no, do this.

Never in my career have I seen such a swift shifting of public-policy decisions and advice coming from leadership sources within our nation and globally. But in defense of those policy shifts, COVID-19 is unlike any other viral threat we have faced. Most recently, we provided you and your families with  information about the current situation and encouraged you to make the best decision about where you wished to stay. Today, we no longer believe it is in your best interest to be abroad. This concern is as much political as medical. On the medical front: European countries are now the epicenter of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In response to the worsening crisis, nations are closing their borders and their infrastructures. Already, Poland, Slovakia, and others have closed their borders to all but citizens. Hungary and other nations may follow suit.

Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I issue this directive. Our staff in Budapest are prepared to assist you in every way possible with the transition. I encourage you to reach out to them immediately if they have not already reached out to you. I also know that many of you are already in the process of coming home. Back in the States, Budapest study abroad students will be able to continue their studies online uninterrupted. For those in other countries, Elizabeth Davis is prepared to help ensure you do not lose credits for the semester.  She can also discuss with you all alternatives for continuing your academic work.

Please note also that unfortunately our campus in Westminster will not be able to accommodate you as we have moved online and are both closed to all but a select number of students and requiring quarantines for anyone who has been out of the country.

I know how stress-inducing and confusing the past few weeks have been. I share in your anxiety. But I am also certain that this decision is absolutely in your best long-term interest. Please stay calm, safe, and well. Your safety is always my number-one concern.

President Roger Casey

Dear Budapest Students, 

As you may have learned, the CDC has designed of Level 3 Travel Advisory for many European countries. Hungary currently has 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, which is a very small number compared to other European countries. However, it has still been classified at this level given the number of cases in the surrounding area. 

 McDaniel College maintains the position that students and their families should make the determination that is best for them in terms of whether to stay, especially given that the World Health organization has indicated that there is potential additional heath risk to those traveling internationally.  As you make your decision, you might also consider the number of confirmed cases in your home cities.

 My goal is to provide you with as much information I can so that you can make an informed decision on whether you believe you would like to return to the U.S.

 This additional information from Homeland security may be useful for you in your determination. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need assistance.

Dear Budapest Students,

I am writing in regards to the recent decision to move classes into an online format at the Budapest campus. As of Tuesday afternoon, we began preparing an email to let you know that this decision by the Hungarian government affords you the opportunity to continue your studies from the comfort of your own home in the United States should that be your preference. Although we are currently seeking clarification regarding President Trump’s recent indication that the United States will soon be limiting travel from Europe, beginning Friday at midnight, we believe that healthy American students will be permitted to return. We will be back in touch as soon as we receive that clarification. Meanwhile, those who do not wish to await such clarification may want to book immediate travel back to the US before the deadline. 

While the World Health Organization continues to recommend that individuals limit international travel (as it provides the greatest exposure to the virus at this time), if you would like to return, you will need to work with your airline to determine if they will waive change of flight fees.  Airlines appear to be accommodating with this, but please let Elizabeth Davis (emdavis@mcdaniel.edu) know if you have issues with changing your flight, and she may be able to assist.

If you are considering returning to the U.S. please email both Elizabeth and Dr. Matthew Adamson (mhadamson@mcdaniel.hu) to gain the most up-to-date information on President Trump’s new travel restrictions and to talk about next steps.

Please be assured that as the situation continues to develop, you will continue to be supported to the fullest extent possible by Dr. Adamson and the other professional staff in Budapest, and our team here in Westminster. 

We recognize that this is a stressful situation. Please know we will do anything we can to assist you in making your decision.

Sincerely,

Julia Jasken

Executive Vice President/Provost
McDaniel College

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

In light of the recent statement issued by the Hungarian authorities regarding continued operation of higher education, we have decided to move all instruction to an online environment starting on Monday, March 16. The school building will not be available for regular instruction as of Thursday, March 12. Classes this Thursday and Friday will be cancelled.

For the last four weeks, our campus administration has been preparing for the possibility of offering all instruction online. We have designed several methods and protocols to help both students and faculty handle this new situation, and will be communicating more specifics in the upcoming 48 hours.

We have every confidence in our close-knit community of faculty and students to rise to the occasion and continue with the semester in this new situation. 

We will be posting regular updates concerning temporary online learning, announcements of the Hungarian authorities as regards institutions of higher education, and other information concerning the coronavirus situation on our website:  https://mcdaniel.hu/student-life/health-wellnes/

Thank you for your cooperation and patience while we shift gears.

Dean Frenyo and the Admin Team

Dear Study Abroad Students,

I am sending you a follow-up email to let you know that McDaniel continues to closely monitor COVID-19 conditions.  We highly recommend that you do not travel outside of the country in which you are currently studying.

As a reminder, please visit McDaniel's Coronavirus information website for up-to-date information regarding the College's response to the virus.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth M. Davis, PhD
Director of International and Off-Campus Programs
The Center for Experience & Opportunity
McDaniel College
2 College Hillv Westminster, MD 21157 USAv >Phone: 410-871-3376v email: emdavis@mcdaniel.edu
pronouns: She/Hers/Her

Dear Study Abroad Students,

McDaniel College has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.  Please view this link for up-to-date information provided by the College.  Additionally, pay close attention to the information given to you by your site directors.

You may have questions or concerns about how the virus might impact your study abroad participation.  McDaniel uses the following information to determine if students should return home:

• A Level 3 travel advisory from the CDC
• A level 3 or 4 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State
• Host county recommendations regarding evacuation or immediate departure of foreign visitors
• U.S. government recommendations regarding evacuation or immediate departure of U.S. citizens in the host country

In general, we would suggest that you limit your travels for the next few weeks, in order to determine how the situation develops. Like the flu and other viruses, the cases of coronavirus are likely to increase in number, and then decline, following which normal travel conditions will return.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth M. Davis, PhD
Director of International and Off-Campus Programs
The Center for Experience & Opportunity
McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157 USA
Phone: 410-871-3376
email: emdavis@mcdaniel.edu
pronouns: She/Hers/Her

Coronaviruses are named after their electron-microscopic image. They usually infect birds, mammals (possibly other species). In humans, they cause respiratory and bowel disease. In the last decades, two special coronavirus infections have caused problems worldwide, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus). They both transmitted to humans from mammals; from the civet cat and the dromedary.

Currently, an animal-to-human coronavirus is causing an epidemic, which began in China and is reported in more and more countries.

Its symptoms are similar to those of the flu: fever, muscle aches, general malaise, catarrh symptoms, in severe cases, pneumonia and possibly kidney failure. The latency time, however, is longer than that of the flu, approx. two weeks.

It is characteristic of its pathogenic ability that an ill person can sicken 4 people. 3-4% of people who die of the disease, according to our knowledge today, are mainly those who suffer from other severe diseases as well.