EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University has canceled a study abroad program set to depart to Mexico on May 14 in light of the H1N1 flu (swine flu) outbreak.

The Eli Broad College of Business program, involving 20 students, is the only one that has been canceled. Students were set to study in Monterrey for nine days. All other study abroad programs, including future programs to Mexico, will continue to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The next program to Mexico is set to leave May 26.

“Taking into account the information we have at the time and the well-being of our students, we unfortunately feel the best decision is to cancel the program,” said Jeffrey Riedinger, dean of International Studies and Programs. “We will continue to monitor travel advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization as we consider other programs this summer.”

Beth Alexander, MSU’s University Physician, said several factors also will play a role in decisions on future study abroad programs, including: prevalence of the flu in destination countries, mortality rate and severity of the flu, potential border closings, and students’ access to health care in those locations.

Mexico has been the epicenter of the flu outbreak, which has sickened thousands worldwide and left more than two dozen dead there. The CDC is advising all nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided, while the WHO has not set any travel restrictions.

Students of the canceled business program will have program costs refunded to their accounts. The Office of Study Abroad is working with students to find alternative programs.

Overall, 33 students were set to study this summer at sites in Mexico. In addition to the 20 students in the business program, three students who were part of a University of Iowa/Committee on Institutional Cooperation program also have had their program to Mexico canceled by Iowa and the CIC. Those students will be given the option to enroll in similar study abroad programs or receive refunds.

• In related news: An MSU study abroad program set to leave May 26 to Tec Queretaro has been delayed until June 10 by authorities at the Mexican university.
• MSU decided in late April to cancel its spring study abroad programs in Mexico, and three of the four students affected have returned to the U.S.; the fourth student is expected back this week.
• MSU’s College of Law decided last month to re-locate its summer program (not affiliated with MSU’s Office of Study Abroad) originally scheduled in Guadalajara, Mexico, to East Lansing. Students will take the same classes scheduled to have been taught there.

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