COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Local repercussions are being felt as a result of the unrest in South Korea. According to Associated Press, the president declared marshal law, and then overturned it several hours later.
The news affected Columbus State University as many of their international students call the country home.
The school's Center of Global Engagement provides students with cultural transition support services and assistance with other needs. In an interview, Dr. Eric Spears, the Executive Director for the Center of Global Engagement, told WRBL when news broke about South Korea, they jumped into action.
“What we have been doing is reaching out to our South Korean students,” Spears says. “Many of whom are exchange students who are actually returning home this week.”
The schools outreach efforts ensured students would be able to fly home, and if their itineraries changed, that they have temporary housing. The school could also house students for a longer period if needed.
This summer, the school will have three study abroad trips to South Korea. Currently, the center of Global engagement has not received any concerns regarding the planned trips and the school is not planning to cancel them.
However, Spears says the school has protocols in place and is prepared to bring study abroad students back to America if the situation is called for as they did during the pandemic.
“We have an internal process that includes a communication tree and how we communicate with one another with our students and faculty overseas,” Spears says. “Columbus State University is actually contracted with an international security company… as well as have a very thorough, comprehensive international travel insurance plan.”
Spears says these plans and emergency reserve funds allow for students to come home without a financial burden.
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