DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It’s been almost a month since St. Norbert College called its first study abroad students back to the U.S. because of coronavirus concerns.
At the time, it was still business as usual here and some questioned whether the move had to be made. Now, it is clear the correct decision was made.
St. Norbert junior Jacob Patrick, who is now home in Whitefish Bay, tells FOX 11 he took early precautions when coronavirus concerns initially started while he was studying in Rome.
“I kept all my suitcases and all my things in my small room so I could easily leave.”.
St. Norbert made the call to brings its eight students home from Italy in late February.
“We were kind of on the front end, particularly in Italy,” said Gail Gilbert, St. Norbert’s Director of Study Abroad and Off Campus Programs.
Patrick received word at 1:30 in the morning.
“I got the news and by 2:30 I was in a car on the way to the airport.”
“We looked at the bigger picture in terms of travel restrictions, flight availability, just general difficulties in being able to function and to get around,” said Gilbert.
“I understood St. Norbert’s decision at the time, obviously disappointed in general about it, but I felt that it was certainly a reasonable decision at the time,” said Patrick. “Looking in hindsight it was for sure the correct decision.”
Italy leads the world in COVID-19 deaths. Patrick says he doesn’t know anyone who has been infected.
“They’re really taking quarantining seriously,” said Patrick.
St. Norbert’s students are finishing their study abroad work online. While it isn’t the same as going to the physical school in Rome, Patrick says he’ll return at some point.
