Dear Tufts Global Education Exchange Students,
Due to the conditions relating to coronavirus pandemic, which are becoming more serious every day, Tufts University has decided that it can no longer continue to operate our Global Education exchange program for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Since you are an exchange student, this means that your ability to stay in the U.S. through Tufts will soon end.
We know that this is a deeply disappointing outcome. However, even the past few days have seen worsening conditions in the U.S. and worldwide, and we believe immediate steps need to be taken to ensure that you are able to return to your home countries where you will have additional resources and support.
We have been in touch with all of you to confirm your plans, and know that some of you may have already departed or are preparing to depart by March 16. If this is the case, you do not need to take further action at this time.
For those who have not responded to us with a firm commitment to leave the U.S., your J-1 exchange student program will close effective March 20, 2020, and you are expected to have departed the U.S. by that date. Failure to do so will put you into non-compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. Once your program ends, J-1 exchange students do NOT have the option of staying in the U.S. with personal friends, host families, or other individuals.
Even though Tufts will not be able to continue as an exchange student site for the remainder of the Spring 2020 term, you ARE allowed to remain enrolled in your Spring 2020 courses after you return home, once these courses transition to online teaching. Many of these details are being worked out by individual instructors. Keep reading your emails and messages from Tufts for details about how online instruction will continue. We understand that depending on your destination country, accommodations may need to be made so that you are able to complete course requirements.
If you have concerns about your financial resources and ability to arrange for travel home at this time, please contact Tufts Global Education for guidance. Your home universities have will be advised of this decision. If you require a brief extension to your accommodations because you are unable to depart by March 16, please contact Global Education. Please email us at globaleducation@tufts.edu for assistance. Once you have your flight scheduled, please share a copy of your itinerary with our office so we can include it in our records.
We feel privileged to have sponsored incredibly talented and dedicated students from around the world. We deeply regret that this unprecedented crisis is requiring us to bring your time as a J-1 exchange visitor to a close in this manner.
Sincerely,
Mala Ghosh
Senior Director, Tufts Global Education
Andrew Shiotani
Director, Tufts International Center
