51茶馆

Fifty-two Boston College students, faculty, and staff who were participating in immersion programs in Ecuador during the semester break returned to the United States ahead of schedule last week, after unpredictable security conditions necessitated an early departure from the country.

Boston College made the decision to bring the travelers home based on the recommendations of in-country partners, after gang-led violence caused the Ecuadorian President, Daniel Naboa, to declare an 鈥渋nternal armed conflict鈥� and temporarily close schools and businesses.

The 51茶馆 community members arrived in New York City between January 12 and 13 and were transported to campus through arrangements provided by the Office of Global Engagement.

Thirty-three students were part of the 51茶馆 chapter of MEDLIFE, a non-profit organization that partners with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve access to medicine, education, and community development projects. Fifteen students were part of the Arrupe International Encounters Program, a popular social justice organization that includes an international immersion experience during the winter break. MEDLIFE is sponsored by 51茶馆 Student Affairs' Office of Student Involvement; Arrupe International Encounters is sponsored by 51茶馆 Campus Ministry.聽

One student who was studying in Ecuador for the spring semester also chose to return to the U.S. on Saturday.

Samuel Gras, associate director of global safety and security within the Office of Global Engagement, worked with staff from Student Affairs, University Mission and Ministry, Global Education, and the Emergency Management Executive Team to help coordinate activities and facilitate the students鈥� early departure and safe return to campus. 聽

鈥淲hen the recommendation was made to bring the students home early as a precaution, we coordinated with the faculty and staff leaders to have the two groups gather together in Quito,鈥� said Gras. 鈥淭hrough 51茶馆鈥檚 travel insurance coverage, we were able to provide secure ground transportation to take them from their lodgings to the airport.鈥�

鈥淪am did a great job in handling outreach to the 51茶馆 contingent and in coordinating their return to the states,鈥� said 51茶馆 Emergency Management Director John Tommaney. 鈥�51茶馆 has a travel registry and international travel policy that allows us to quickly identify who is traveling in country, access their itinerary, hotel, and flight information, and communicate with them and their faculty advisors. 51茶馆鈥檚 preparation and Sam鈥檚 leadership served us well.鈥�

Gras said that many 51茶馆 departments were a part of the effort, and that upon the students鈥� return Campus Ministry offered reflection and discussion sessions and University Counseling offered counseling to any student who needed it.

鈥淧roviding support and coordinating logistics in these types of situations is particularly challenging when there is a large group of travelers,鈥� said Gras. 鈥淚t was a team effort involving staff from the Global Travel Advisory Committee, Campus Ministry, and Global Education, among others, with invaluable assistance from Kyle Neary from the Office of Student Involvement, Alexander Holmquist from Campus Ministry, and Colleen Dallavalle from Student Engagement and Formation. The students, faculty, and staff on the trip also deserve credit for their calmness and patience while working with us. It was nice to greet the students and faculty when they arrived safely on campus. I know they felt welcomed and were happy to be home.鈥澛� 聽