Study abroad students worry
about security
By Dave Stephens
Assistant
Campus Editor
Ever since Tuesday, Tia Hardy has been Canadian.
As a study abroad student in France, Hardy said
she feels safer telling the people she meets that she is from Canada,
rather than admitting she is an American and making herself vulnerable
to unwanted attention.
"So now, I am Canadian if anyone asks," said Hardy.
"And I probably will be Canadian until I come home in June. I think
it's safer that way."
Hardy, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts,
is one of several-hundred Purdue students studying abroad this semester.
Joe Bennett, vice president of University Relations, said that Purdue
has no students studying in areas where they are unsafe.
"The students abroad have been in communication
with the International Studies Program office," said Bennett. "They'll
continue to keep in touch with them as things develop."
Hardy said that being far from home made learning
about the disaster much more difficult.
"Our neighbor just told us that there had been
plane crashes, but we didn't know where or by whom exactly," said Hardy.
"My roommate and I both burst out into tears. Their kids were all excited
and happy to have American visitors, and they were too young to understand
what was happening. They kept bouncing around, trying to ask questions
about what the U.S. was like, but we were too upset to answer."
Hardy said she and her roommate were unable to
contact relatives in the United States, because the phone lines were
busy. She said they've been communicating via e-mails instead.
Hardy said that after learning of the attacks she
became concerned about her safety.
"The neighbors told us not to worry, we are safer
here than in the U.S.," said Hardy. But despite the reassurances, she
said she still has her doubts.
"On the news we were watching Palestinians in Paris
celebrate; dancing, singing and starting fires in the streets," said
Hardy. "It's hard to know who is your friend and who wants to kill you
— because you are an American."
Bianca Whitaker, a senior in the School of Agriculture
who is studying in Sweden, said watching the tragedy unfold from far
away makes it difficult.
"It's hard not getting CNN because they have more
facts," said Whitaker. "All I get is EuroNews and the Swedish news —
which I have to get my friends to translate. I hate not knowing what's
going on."
Whitaker said the Swedish people have been very
sympathetic to her, especially since she knows no other American students.
However, she said wishes she could help those who are suffering.
"I feel completely helpless," said Whitaker. "I
wish I could do something to help. I feel like studying here is so meaningless,
like I should be there to volunteer, at least give blood — something.
But all I can do is pray, for everyone, families, friends and our government
to react in the right way so as not to cause a devastating world war."
|
