Coronavirus cuts Marquette student's study abroad program short

For Jena Spahic, her study abroad program in Milan was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime.

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Instead, it was cut short as she raced to fly out of Italy, where COVID-19, the coronavirus has spread rapidly.

"I feel like my experience got robbed from me," Spahic said.

On Feb. 29, the U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 warning against travel to areas in Northern Italy where Spahic was studying.

She self-quarantined for two weeks and is not showing any symptoms.

Her parents, Rick and Dee were thrilled to see her back home Monday at O'Hare International Airport.

It was a reunion months ahead of schedule.

“They said to get out as soon as you can and I panicked. Right away, I called her and just said get out. Wherever you can get a flight, just get out,” Dee Spahic said.

Their focus is now on Jena's school situation.

At first, they said Marquette officials downplayed the coronavirus outbreak and said Spahic may lose a semester if she came back early.

"I didn't feel like they had the best interests of my child," Dee Spahic said. "And that was very frustrating."

That has since changed, Spahic said.

Over the weekend, the university urged all students studying in Milan to return home as soon as possible.

Officials announced the university will reimburse students for flights from Milan and will help coordinate online classes with host universities.

"Student safety is the university’s number one priority. We are continuing to monitor the situation, and doing our best to make sure we are here to support each student through this process," a spokesperson wrote in a statement to WISN 12 News.

For now, Spahic's dream trip will have to wait a little longer.

“I want to make up for this experience by going back when the time is right. Obviously, right now is not the time," Spahic said.

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