Purdue pulls all students out of Japan

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) - All Purdue University students studying in Japan will be back in the U.S. by Thursday, after the university decided to bring them back.

The university announced the decision on Monday. It’s bringing back six students who were studying in Japan and rescinding permission for two students to leave this week to study in Japan.

"All of our students are safe," said Brian Harley, Purdue's associate dean of international programs and director of the Office of Programs for Study Abroad. "We were able to reach them shortly after the earthquake. Since then, we've monitored the situation and have now determined that it is in their best interest to return home or defer plans for traveling to Japan."

Purdue officials said one factor in their decision is the U.S. Department of State’s travel warning relating to Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and radiation threat because of the damaged nuclear power plant in Fukushima. Another concern that led to the decision is Japan’s current uncertainty about food availability and issues with electricity and gas throughout the country.

The university will work with the students to help with their return and, looking forward, to see if they can be placed in another country for their spring semester or over the summer.