Frideres returns from Italy as conditions changed in a hurry

Jeff and Lisa Frideres were all set to visit their daughter, Madi, who was studying abroad in Rome, Italy, when things changed rapidly due to the Coronavirus.
On Feb. 28, Italy was changed to a Level 3 travel advisory. Iowa State University notified Madi she had to return home by March 6. She came home to Humboldt on March 3, flying from Rome to Frankfurt to Denver to Des Moines.
Madi self-quarantined for 14 days and sent in her temperature to Iowa State University each day. She has had no symptoms, and no one in her group has come down with the Coronavirus.
The 2018 Humboldt High School graduate is a sophomore finance major at Iowa State University. She spoke with others who had studied abroad and wanted to try it to experience a new culture.
She left Jan. 13 and was supposed to return May 18. The business courses were through John Cabot University in Rome, coordinated with Iowa State University.
“When we first arrived in Rome we adjusted to the new country, different time change, college classes and new people. We had heard a little about a virus that was spreading in China,” Madi said.
Madi said she was enjoying the classes and traveling during free time.
Her father sent her an article about an outbreak of Coronavirus in northern Italy. “The outbreak was five hours away so I wasn’t extremely worried. Iowa State sent us an email stating that they were monitoring the situation but to continue with classes as usual. By Feb. 28, the number of cases had increased rapidly,” Madi said. “There were 800 cases when we left Rome and there are more than 50,000 cases now.”
Madi said before they left the streets of Rome were still packed with people.
“I feel fortunate that we left when we did instead of being locked down. It’s so sad to see what is happening over there now,” Madi said.
She is now taking classes online as her professors work to develop an online platform.
Madi said she doesn’t plan to do another study abroad program, but may go back to Italy.
“My parents still have their plane tickets and they have to be used within a year so we hope to go and visit,” Madi said.