Despite the recent rash of violent attacks in the country, students studying abroad in Turkey will be allowed to complete their program.
Based in the Turkish capital of Ankara, the Turkish Flagship Program was almost cut short when the city became the epicenter of several bombings.
Last October, explosions rocked the capital when suicide bombers killed at least 95 people marching in a peace rally, the Associated Press reported.
On March 13, a suicide car bomb detonated near several bus stops, killing more than 30 people.
Several weeks later, the State Department ordered American families related to government officials working at a consulate in Adana and family members of government civilians located in Mugla and Izmir provinces to leave the country.
The two IU students enrolled in the flagship program are residing in the city.
The University discussed the decision to remove its students with the Department of State, Department of Defense and American Councils for International Education, the agency administering the program, University spokesperson Mark Land said in an email.
Ultimately, American Councils for International Education chose to continue the study abroad experience.
The sponsoring agency increased its safety protocol by checking in with students more frequently and adding travel restrictions to destinations outside of Ankara.
Arrangements have been made for students to navigate the city without using public transportation.
After the program ends, the students are now required to return home immediately.
A third IU student is in Istanbul participating in an independent study. Because the student is not participating in an IU-approved program, the University cannot force him or her to leave the country, Land said.
However, IU reserves the right to take away funds given to students who choose to stay in locations where the government has issued a travel warning.
Ankara and Istanbul are not in areas the United States government has ordered its citizens to leave.
Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
