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RALEIGH – Eighteen N.C. State University students were set to study abroad in Mexico in about three weeks, but school leaders canceled the trip Tuesday morning because of the swine flu scare.

"This is a very important activity for students," said Ingrid Schmidt, N.C. State’s study abroad director. "Some were counting on the credits for their degree programs have planned on this for a long time."

But Schmidt said the school felt the health risk was just too high after reading one of the latest travel alerts, which advised Americans not to make nonessential travel to Mexico.

"There are some universities that say since it's part of their degree program, it's essential," Schmidt said. "It's not nonessential, but every university has to make that decision for itself."

Mexican officials have decided to close universities throughout the country, putting education on hold for exchange students worldwide.

About 1,000 N.C. State students travel to 45 countries around the world every year. Schmidt said she's not sure when that list will again include Mexico. Two N.C. State students who were taking courses in Mexico are now headed back to Raleigh. At least one more had signed up to go this fall.

"If it continues to be a major problem, we'll try to find an alternative destination for that student," said Schmidt. "But we can't predict."

Officials said they'll work with students who had their Mexico trip canceled to find alternative study abroad options for this summer. The students should be reimbursed for the full tuition: about $3,000.