The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News

Ralph Tripp [Click to enlarge]

Students studying abroad in Mexico may return home earlier than expected as the swine flu sickens hundreds across the country.

University sophomore Randall Bourquin who is studying in Monterrey, Mexico, said the Mexican government closed all public gatherings in the country's capital Saturday, and on Sunday night closed all schools until May 6.

"The last three or four days [in Mexico], there's been a lot in the news about the flu," he said in a phone interview Monday. "There's this huge degree of uncertainty of what international students are going to do."

The swine flu gained global attention in the past week after being linked to more than 1,300 illnesses in Mexico and 64 cases in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. No victims have been reported in Georgia as of Tuesday evening.

Bourquin, whose program is independent of the study abroad office at the University, is living with other international students at the University of Monterrey and said "no one really knows what to do." Some students have left already, and others have changed travel plans, he said. As of Monday afternoon, he was trying to get in touch with the U.S. Consulate in Mexico City to determine if he could re-enter the United States and stay in Texas until May 6, when he hopes the government will have made a decision on re-opening schools. He is concerned about whether he will receive class credit if he is unable to return to Monterrey and finish school, but he will choose "health before credits," he said.

He has been keeping in touch with both of his schools to keep track of events, he said.

Bourquin does not know anyone who has been infected with the swine flu, but knows of one death in Monterrey so far.

Colleen Larson, a professor of international affairs, is in charge of a University-sponsored study abroad in Monterrey. In a phone interview Tuesday, Larson confirmed that all universities in Mexico are closed through May 6 and said "if [students] want to come home, we'll work with them on that."

She said the University of Monterrey will be granting students - who may decide to leave the country early - online access to submit remaining coursework for the rest of the semester. Larson said the study abroad office would do its best to make sure students earn their full credits. The office will assist students by proctoring exams, working with host universities to allow students to complete assignments in the U.S. and submit them electronically. The office also will host some classes at the University.

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