IN SPITE of the limitations brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President for University and Global Relations (VPUGR) Jose M. Cruz, SJ released a memo on September 25 announcing the resumption of the Junior Term Abroad (JTA) Program in the Fall Term of 2021.
In an interview with The GUIDON, Cruz further explained that the University’s partner institutions are ready to resume their mobility programs with the Loyola Schools (LS) students. The administration has already started accepting applications, deciding on approvals, and considering other preparatory steps because preparations for the JTA Program take at least one year.
Preparation and safety measures
With respect to health protocols, Office of the Internal Relations (OIR) Director Karen Sunico said that the OIR has been directly communicating with the Ateneo’s partner universities since March to survey their readiness and preferred mode of delivery in their student exchange programs.
Sunico added that the Ateneo’s partner universities relayed their own health policies and protocols to the University administration to ensure the safety of both their local and international students. Cruz reiterated that JTA students are expected to follow the health protocols of their host universities and host countries.
Cruz also said that JTA students must first be cleared by the LS Health Services and the LS Office of Guidance and Counseling before joining the program, as well as acquire travel and health insurance for the entire duration of their stay abroad.
Following outbound operations, Sunico said that most partners were prepared to accommodate students on-site for the Fall Term of 2021, prompting the University to consider resuming the JTA program despite apprehensions brought by the pandemic.
According to Sunico, the four schools’ individual regulations will coordinate with the OIR in modifying the application process suitable for the online setting. However, each student must first check with their school’s student exchange coordinator before applying since schools have their own policies, requirements, and application processes.
In line with this, Ateneo Student Exchange Council (ASEC) President Hannah Co shared that ASEC has launched the Ateneo Study Abroad Fair website. The website contains information about the JTA and Senior Term Abroad—specifically scholarship opportunities, embassies and ambassadors, available partner institutions and universities, and past outbound students’ testimonies.
Utilizing remote learning
As for the JTA students of Spring Term 2020, Sunico said that they were given the choice to either return to the Philippines or remain in the host country to avoid exposure to COVID-19 during the long-haul flight.
She also explained that students may resume the program online in three ways. They can take online courses hosted by their host university, take online fast-track courses offered by the LS, or simultaneously take courses from both the host university and the LS.
According to Sunico, most students who returned to the Philippines continued the program through their host universities’ online courses, but some classes were not suitable for online delivery and remote setting. Since incomplete classes did not count in the number of required units that students needed to take in their JTA, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs created JTA-fast track courses to address the students’ lack of units.
Students meant to take their JTA for the Fall Term of 2020 were also given the opportunity to experience their JTA through virtual programs hosted by either their partner universities or the VPUGR and Office of Student Affairs.
Possible cancellation
Even with protocols and safety precautions in place, the resumption of the JTA program is still not final as the administration recognized the possibility of another cancellation due to safety concerns.
“Aside from the resurgence of cases is the enforcement of related restrictions: immigration controls, flight reductions and cancellations, reduced travel options [for students],” Cruz said.
In spite of these limitations, Cruz said that the University will still attempt to continue the JTA program. “The JTA program has been an effective opportunity for students to grow in awareness and care of other societies. We shall strive to maintain the program, for as long as conditions allow,” he said. Co also encouraged students to apply for the JTA program despite the possibility of a cancellation. “I think if you want it, just go for it kasii-reregret mo. On ASEC’s side, that’s what we’re really telling everyone. Based on the testimonies of [past JTA students], JTA is a really fun experience,” Co said.
