Overseas students receive contact, support

In light of recent national tragedies, about 280 IU students studying abroad in Germany to Jerusalem have received communication and support from IU, host cities and universities.\nThe breadth of last Tuesday's events has been felt worldwide.\n"I have family in New York and I live in Connecticut, so I am still recovering from a bit of shock. New York is my all-time favorite place in the world; I was just there a week ago," IDS employee and senior Heather Murphy said in an e-mail from London.\nStudents overseas have been contacted since the day of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, Richard E. Stryker, director of Overseas Study said. \n"Since last Tuesday, I've been in phone and e-mail contact with virtually all of our programs," Stryker said. "I communicated with all the programs so that IU students knew we're thinking about them."\nSpecial programs have been arranged for abroad students to join together for support and education about the events, Stryker said. He also said the students have been supported by their host communities.\nIn Aix-en-Provence, France, where about 20 IU students currently study, free phone calls were provided for American students so they could contact family in America, Stryker said.\n"The city provided free telephone connections so they could call their parents at home," he said. "On Sunday there was a large service held in sympathy for Americans."\nIn Bologna, Italy, where 40 American students attend the University of Bologna, Fabio Roversi-Monaco, university rector, held an hour-long session with overseas students expressing sympathy, Stryker said.\n"(Roversi-Monaco) cried and embraced all of the students. It was a most extraordinary gesture," Stryker said. "He wanted them to know how welcome they were in Bologna and they they were among friends. We've had those kind of expressions from all over the world."\nThe U.S. Department of State announced that U.S. citizens abroad "may be at increased risk of terrorist actions from extremist groups" and that Americans should "maintain a high level of vigilance," according to the the public announcement.\nAlthough the potential for harm to overseas IU students is low, Stryker said they are urged to increase awareness and safety.\n"There's considerable advice about how students should conduct themselves to decrease visibility as Americans," he said.\nStudents should avoid speaking English, frequenting "any kind of site that is distinctly American" such as U.S. embassies or fast food restaurants, Stryker said. \n"We think that if there is any risk, and I think the risk is very low, it's most important to avoid these most symbolic places," he said. \nThe three students in Jerusalem have received "tremendous security" because of their location, Stryker said. \nConcern among overseas students is prevalent despite a seemingly safe location.\n"At first, I actually felt safer being in Germany. But at the same time I wanted to come home. I was in total shock. Now they tell us to try and not act American. How am I supposed to do that?," said Brenna Casey, a University of Wisconsin senior studying in Bonn, Germany.\nAlthough no overseas programs at IU or at any Big Ten universities have been closed, and no IU students have left the program so far, Stryker said he has been contacted by concerned parents and students.\n"Two parents have said they intend to withdraw their students," he said. "There have been no records of that though. Some are very rational (and) a couple are very distraught and say, 'When are you going to bring students home?'"\nIU is taking necessary precautions along with host programs.\n"We're in touch with direct staff and students and they're safe and receiving the kind of support they need at this time," Stryker said. "None of these students are out on their own. People are looking after them. Right now, we're doing everything we can to make sure that this wonderful experience for students is continued safely"