Study abroad still popular after attacks

Following the tragic events of Sept. 11, safety in America transformed into a feeling of uneasiness and just plain fear.\nIU students studying abroad last year immediately found themselves engulfed in an experience they never expected.\nNow a year has passed, and the overseas study program in Franklin Hall remains busy with prospective students, despite the fact that the possibility and fear of terrorism is now something to consider when studying abroad.\nDespite the apprehension, some students studying overseas last fall after Sept. 11 said they believed their experience gave them a better perspective about living in the U.S.\n"I'm very thankful for the choice I made to go. It was one of the greatest times in my life," said senior Stefanie Corn, who studied in Israel during Sept. 11 and graduated in May. "It made me feel luckier than ever to live in the U.S., and I feel like I really got a sense of Israeli lifestyle because they live with the fear of terrorism all the time."\nCorn said the number of students traveling to Israel has drastically changed from more than 20 to only a couple of students, and many of her friends have changed their mind about studying abroad. \nIn mid-July, IU cancelled its programs in Israel for summer and fall 2002 semesters and for the 2002-03 academic year.\n"I feel bad for the kids that decided not to go abroad because they really missed out on a chance of a lifetime," she said, "and I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way."\nThe Overseas Study program noticed a drop in student traffic overseas in the spring, which it attributed to the terrorist attacks.\n"I think this was a direct reaction from parents to what happened in September, but students enrolling in study abroad in the fall were higher because they remained very committed to following through on their plans to study abroad," said Kathleen Sideli, associate director of the Overseas Study program.\nSideli said the summer and fall enrollment dropped around eight to ten percent from a year ago, but said the reason may be due to the economy.\n"Students realize that being a more global citizen is more important than ever right now," she said.\nThe IU Overseas Study program offers over 60 programs abroad in 25 countries, 14 languages and in nearly every field of study.\nSenior Sara Egli studied in Wollongong, Australia last fall, and said that although students may be more cautious as to where they study, the overseas program hasn't been greatly affected.\n"I don't necessarily feel that students are less likely to go overseas as a result of Sept. 11," Egli said. "I would definitely still encourage students to still go overseas because I think gaining cultural understanding and having an open mind are very important. Avoiding an educational experience such as studying abroad is not going to help prevent conflict in the future."\nTwo students studying in Israel last April were asked to return home early by IU international administrators due to the escalating violence in Israel.\nDespite this, the students decided to remain in Israel until their semester abroad officially ended.\n"Life here in Israel goes along normally, and Israel is not the war zone that it looks like on CNN," senior Joe Osgood said last spring. "I don't feel threatened at all, even though I do understand that there is a risk."\nOsgood said he appreciated IU's concern for his safety and felt the university was very supportive, but he hoped the programs wouldn't be cancelled in the fall.\nAlthough students may be apprehensive about their decision to study overseas in the future, some students are even more encouraged to take this opportunity.\n"I know parents may be afraid of letting their kids study abroad after the terrorist attacks," said junior Amanda Farrell, who plans on going to Italy next summer. "But in my case, I think I will just be more careful," she said. "And I think students are interested to see what effect other countries have on the U.S, and are encouraged to learn about other cultures in countries abroad"