Students debate study abroad

Since the seventh grade, junior Heli Reiner has been waiting for her chance to study abroad. She began planning to study in Granada, Spain, last semester, but because of the recent terrorist attacks, Reiner's planning has come to an abrupt halt. She now must decide by Nov. 15 whether she feels safe enough to go abroad.\nThe Office of Overseas Study urges students like Reiner to continue to pursue their plans to study abroad, but many students have been seriously contemplating and even canceling their plans. Several factors contribute to their recent fears and hesitations to go abroad.\nThe Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have induced fear in the hearts of Americans. This fear extends to the international level as well. \n"If it was just an isolated incident of terrorism I wouldn't have a problem going," said junior Traci Geffon, who recently canceled her plans to study in Paris. "It's an issue of America possibly going to war. My desire's still there; it's just not the right time."\nAnother factor is travel. If a war began, it could be difficult for students to get home. That is also a chief concern among parents, who often still play an influential role in students' lives, both financially and psychologically. \nSome students encounter added pressures because of this, which discourage them from going abroad. Junior Robert Wittenberg said he decided not to study in Seville, Spain, next semester for his parents' sake. \n"My parents worried about traveling and how safe it would be," Wittenberg said. "Personally I'd still like to go if I could."\nDirector of the Office of Overseas Study Richard Stryker, also an associate dean, faces these parental concerns daily. Since the recent attacks and the bombing of Afghanistan, more parents with children abroad or planning to do so have been calling him. But the increase in phone calls to his office is surprisingly small, he said.\n Stryker said the office staff has seen a considerably lower number of cases of concerned students and parents than it had expected. This can be attributed to a "wait and see" period students and their parents are going through. Most deadlines for study abroad applications are not for a few weeks, so they still have time to make a final decision. \nMeanwhile, students who are already abroad are advised to play it safe. Although the recent events have provoked tighter security on an international level, Stryker maintains that security has always been an important issue abroad. For years students have been advised to keep a low profile and to stay inconspicuous. They are also told not to travel in large groups with other Americans. \n"Think about where you are and who you're with," Stryker said. "When you're abroad you don't want to stand out as an American."\nOct. 10, Stryker issued a statement on the office's Web site stating that IU has not canceled any of its programs abroad and does not plan to.\nThroughout foreign countries, study abroad organizations purposely avoid labeling themselves as American. They do not even hang signs up in English on their buildings. Students are advised to avoid clothing that is obviously American, including apparel with college lettering and blue jeans. Students are discouraged from going to well-known American establishments, such as the Hard Rock Cafe and McDonald's.\nBut students already abroad generally feel safe, Stryker said. Out of the 300 IU students abroad, only two have formally withdrawn from their programs because of safety concerns.\nStryker added, "On one level no place is safe, but on the other hand that's no way to live one's life." \nClick for further information:\n www.indiana.edu/~overseas/statement.html