Study abroad programs and nonessential student travel will remain suspended for the summer, according to an email sent to GW community members Wednesday.

Provost Brian Blake announced the continued suspension of abroad programs and nonessential travel due to the likelihood of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continuing through the summer. Blake said as the year progresses, officials will continue to monitor national and international vaccination trends to ensure student travel in the future.

He said the vaccine “provides hope” that study abroad programs may resume in the fall. The Office for Study Abroad is now receiving applications for fall 2021 programs, Blake said.

“We understand that the global citizenship, intercultural learning and exciting research opportunities that study abroad provides are an important part of the GW experience,” Blake said.

He added that there is a “light at the end of the tunnel,” and he is “optimistic” about the opportunities GW offers beyond the pandemic.