Swine Flu Stymies Students' Study Abroad Plans

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than a dozen Butler University students have had to put their study abroad plans on hold after the swine flu outbreak.

The students were scheduled to spend three weeks in Guadalajara, Mexico, as part of a Spanish immersion program, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

But when news of the swine flu outbreak reached campus, plans changed.

"Taking into account the most recent (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention) announcement, canceling the trip was the wisest course of action," said Monte Broaded, head of Butler's Center For Global Education.

Students said they had been looking forward to shedding their sterile classrooms and interacting with their host families.

"If you really want to get good at a language, immersing yourself in a culture is the best way to do it," said sophomore Peter Mitchell. "It's definitely a big help learning Spanish and learning about different cultures."

The swine flu may put other university trips in jeopardy as well. The school sends about 140 students abroad to study each year.

Katie Lord is slated to go to Panama on May 31. So far, her travels are still on.

"It's a cultural immersion. A lot of community work and things like that," she said. "I think we should be fine. I don't think we'll have any problems with swine flu."

The students whose Mexico trip was canceled will get a full refund.