When the Unexpected Happens: Response to Changed Flights during IES Dublin Study Tour

During the Spring 2026 IES Abroad Dublin Study Tour on Communications & Culture, international affairs led to an unforeseen cancellation of  the group's original return flights.

We look back on the response at the time and highlight the cooperation between the on-ground staff and SAF Japan team, all of whom incorporated the students' opinions.

Unexpected Extension, Immediate Assurance

In the Spring of 2026, unrest in the Middle East caused the study tour group's originally scheduled return flights to become cancelled. As a result, participating students ended up having to stay in Dublin longer than planned.

A participating student looks back on the situation as follows:

"The stay itself was safe, so I never felt in danger, but since I had plans after returning home, I was a little concerned about what lay ahead."

Even under these circumstances, the local IES Center and the SAF Japan Office strove to provide continuous information updates.

On the ground, staff responded while remaining attentive to the students' well-being; and in Japan, frequent updates on the current situation were sent to the students themselves, their guardians, and their home universities.

"While waiting for our return flights to be confirmed, the SAF Japan Office provided status reports via email. Being able to keep track of the situation provided a sense of security."

"The local staff remained as bright as ever and were very mindful of our emotional well-being."

Learning and Experiences During the Extended Stay

During the extended stay, several additional activities were implemented thanks to the local IES Center.

The students got to watch a match of "hurling"—a traditional Irish sport they had studied within the program—as well as attend Gaelic Athletic Association sports matches and visit the Dublin Zoo and Killiney Hill.

"Connecting what I had learned in advance with the actual experience left a deep impression. Although it was unexpected, I think it resulted in a very fulfilling time."

SAF's Peace of Mind Guarantee

Although an unforeseen situation occurred during this program, the local IES Center and the SAF Japan Office worked together masterfully, prioritizing communication and ensuring safety.

The fact that information was continuously shared, not only with the students themselves, but also with their guardians maintained an environment where the situation could be understood calmly. This resulted in lessened tension and a shared feeling that everything was being handled by staff while students enjoyed the extended activities.

The experience of facing these unforeseen circumstances also served as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the cooperation between the local IES Center team and SAF Japan, both vital during study tour programs.

SAF will continue to provide responsive support and care to maintain an environment where students can focus on their learning with peace of mind.