Abroad officials remain optimistic

The London terrorist attacks last Thursday not only shook the lives of the area’s citizens but launched an aftershock across the globe.

And while the city of London swiftly works to restore order, worried thoughts hit close to home for UNC students and staff.

UNC’s Study Abroad department took quick action in locating and ensuring the safety of all students who were studying in the city at the time of the attacks.

“We had 33 students in London at the time of the bombings,” said UNC Study Abroad Director Robert Miles. “We had most of the group contacted by 1:00 (p.m.) U.S. time.”

Miles said he has been watching the situation in England closely over the weekend.

In a statement on its Web site the department said while officials are taking precautions, specifically in London, there are no plans to cancel any of the abroad programs in the immediate future.

“I cannot provide security for anyone,” Miles said. “But what we can do is provide information and advice.”

While there is no guarantee of security for students while traveling abroad, the Study Abroad department takes several measures to educate students prior to arrival in their country of choice.

“Students need to understand that terrible things can happen anywhere,” Miles said. “You don’t have to go abroad for them to happen.”

Students are encouraged to learn as much as they can about the country and area that they will be studying in.

The department takes other steps to be aware of foreign situations.

Miles said the department is in constant contact with partner institutions, is up to date on news through U.S. and international sources, and makes regular visits to the program locations.

While preparing beforehand can be helpful, study abroad officials also encourage students to use caution while traveling through foreign cities.

Emily Bunch, a senior history major from Raleigh, studied in London last spring.

Bunch said that she had a particular connection with the London bombings, but she never felt unsafe while studying there.

“Our flats were three blocks away from where the bus explosion happened,” Bunch said.

“I had a physical connection with that area, and I could almost picture what was happening.”

Ambler Shuford, a senior communication studies and romance languages double major from Richmond, Va., studied in Florence, Italy last summer.

She said living in a different country brings natural caution.

“Walking in the transportation stations and around the streets of Florence was always a little uncomfortable,” Shuford said.

“It’s part of the culture, and we got used to it.”

As many other UNC students experienced, Shuford also had friends who were studying in London during last week’s attacks.

“It’s an unnerving situation," she said. “But it can happen anywhere, anytime.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu