The editorial, ("Stuck abroad" SN 1/13,) contained a significant number of factual errors that should be clarified and that may change the writer's perspective on the unfortunate incident of the MSU student who remained in Peru after her study abroad program concluded.

All study abroad programs do have protocols for dealing with emergencies. The Office of Study Abroad also maintains a 24-7 hotline (staffed with assistance of MSU police) that any student or faculty member traveling on one of our programs can call collect from anywhere in the world to contact our office for advice, guidance or assistance in any emergency. Students are briefed on these emergency procedures before departure and are provided with a wallet-sized, laminated card with the emergency number on it. However, in this case, no one called the emergency number for assistance.

As soon as the Study Abroad office became aware of the circumstances in this case, efforts were begun to assist the student. An alumni family living in Lima was contacted by MSU officials and the family graciously provided the student with free accommodation, meals and assistance in getting a new passport, immigration documents and new airline tickets. Before the alumni family provided housing, the student had housing arranged for and paid by MSU at the program hotel. At no time was the student without housing.

Contrary to what was reported in The State News, the student's mother was contacted by MSU while those arrangements were being made. The student's mother was contacted by MSU officials at least six times on Jan. 8 and informed as details about the arrangements were solidified. MSU remained in contact with the student's mother throughout Jan. 9 and Jan. 10, until the student returned safely home. The publicity that this case has received had nothing to do with MSU making contact with the student's family, as that contact already had been established well before the first reports surfaced in the media.

Problems often arise when people travel outside of the country. The loss of a passport or other papers is such a common occurrence that U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world have American Citizens Services sections specifically to deal with them as a matter of routine. Students are advised that they should be prepared to deal with such circumstances, and that the Office of Study Abroad has resources in place and the experience to assist them should that need arise.

Kathleen Fairfax
director, Office of Study Abroad