Far from home
Foreign turmoil hits home for students abroad

By CHERYL FRANKENFIELD
and KATHERINE MORRIS
Collegian Staff Writers

Jennifer Alt (junior-English) had many things to do before she traveled to London through the study abroad program in June.

She hadn't planned, however, on worrying about her personal safety.

While overseas, Alt learned of a bombing occurring in the same city she was visiting. Her plans were also affected by the embassy bombings in Africa, which delayed travel with increased security. Despite this, Alt said her trip was enjoyable.

"We were kind of removed from the bombing; I never felt any sense of danger while I was over there," she said.

Still, Alt warns students traveling abroad to take precaution, as one would when traveling to a large city.

This advice is increasingly meaningful in light of recent international incidents.

For example, earlier this month, eight tourists, including two Americans, were killed in Uganda by a group of Rwandan rebels.

Dangers like this cannot be predicted and may occur in any country.

But for many students, the opportunity to study abroad and experience new cultures overshadows the risks accompanying such adventures.

Margo Groff, assistant director for program support at the Office of International Programs, said concern for students' safety while abroad has intensified recently due to the number of international emergencies.

The perception in the United States is Middle Eastern countries are dangerous for travel, said Scott Bennett, assistant professor of political science.

"People worry about students studying abroad in Israel and Egypt," he said.

Groff cited the Persian Gulf War as the only emergency impacting Penn State's study abroad trips.

To prevent placing students in dangerous situations, the office checks with the U.S. State Department travel advisory board, which lists the potentially dangerous areas for every country.

While abroad, students are in constant contact with on-site coordinators who serve as their advisers overseas

The on-site counselors are responsible for helping students with health problems as well as devising an emergency evacuation plan for them.

A manual is given to each student outlining topics such as travel and safety, said Chris Klein, study abroad coordinator for the office. Advisers touch on safety issues but try not to make the experience seem negative.

While no Penn State student has died during their study abroad travel, students are often stricken with health and minor safety problems.

Although serious attacks occur, students can prevent smaller incidents by not advertising they are American and staying alert, Bennett said.

For example, students shouldn't wear a university sweatshirt or an American sports team logo, he said.

The office helps students plan trips to other countries for study at universities and offers orientation sessions to students before they leave.

"The laws of the land there apply and sometimes they can be quite stringent. There's always going to be something that happens, but how you handle and cope with it is really important," Groff said.