December 26, 2008 – Statement regarding the India Program

As you are doubtless aware, Indian citizens and some foreigners recently suffered severe violence in Mumbai, India at the hands of still unidentified individuals. Indian security forces have responded by instituting a number of actions designed to increase safety that will make travel more difficult. 

In addition, the traditional tension between India and Pakistan has escalated and the U.S. State Department has advised U.S. Citizens traveling in India "to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."  Similar advisories have been issued by the Canadian and New Zealand governments. The CCSA program is not scheduled to travel to those areas identified as most problematic.

CCSA  is monitoring the situation in India on a daily basis through the U.S. State Department, other government's foreign offices, safety abroad organizations and through consultations with other colleges and universities conducting study programs there. We are also in regular contact with our representatives in India who assure us that they are taking all appropriate actions to ensure the safety of our participants.

We have no reason to believe that the India program should be curtailed but we will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will not hesitate to terminate the program early if the situation in India warrants it.