Although Penn State does not draw international students from Afghanistan, other students of Middle Eastern roots are feeling the impact of recent U.S. airstrikes in the nation.

"The problem that's happening is a lot of us have family over there," said Omer Hussain, co-president of the Pakistani Student Association.

Hussain said he agrees with the U.S. response, but hopes that civilians stay safe, especially after hearing about the deaths of civilians and United Nations workers as a result of the airstrikes.

"This is a fight against terror and not civilians," Hussain said.

Hassan Saeed, a student from Saudi Arabia whose parents are Pakistani, is one person with family trapped in Pakistan as a result of reactions to the U.S. airstrikes.

Saeed's mother and sister were in Pakistan to plan his sister's wedding when riots and fighting broke out after the airstrikes in neighboring Afghanistan, he said. Riots caused all flights to be grounded, so they have been unable to leave.

He said he and many other Pakistani students agree with U.S. actions to fight terrorism, but they are concerned about the effects the strikes will have on innocent citizens.

"It's affecting the civilians . . . me, my family," he said.

Saeed has not spoken to his family in Pakistan but found out about the situation from his father who called to tell him his mother had not arrived home as planned. Saeed said he is trying to focus on his studies but is very concerned about his family.

"I'm just praying that they get back safe," he said.

According to data from last year, Penn State has not had any Afghan international students since at least 1996, said Jim Lynch, director of the International Students and Scholars Office. The enrollment statistics for this year have not yet been compiled.

"That doesn't really surprise me," Lynch said. "Not a lot of students leave Afghanistan to study overseas."

He said students from countries such as Afghanistan would be more likely to attend a school in an area with other Afghans, such as one that has a supportive local immigrant population.

But Penn State does have a Pakistani student population that is increasing along with the overall international student population. Last year, Penn State had 25 international students from Pakistan, up from 13 in 1996, Lynch said.