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Wednesday,
April 7, 2004 |
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Students
feel safe despite attacks
Terrorist
attacks such as the train bombing that killed about 200
people in Madrid, Spain, have not caused much uneasiness
among students studying abroad.
By
Allison Goertz
Staff Reporter
Students studying in Spain this semester say they are
continuing to live life and enjoy the opportunity they
have after terrorism has shaken the country in recent
weeks.
The terrorist attacks in the country include the train
bombing on March 11, which killed around 200 people in
Madrid, Spain, and a suicide bomb in an apartment south
of Madrid Saturday.
“These are uncertain times in the world when we must
make decisions to carry on with our lives in spite of
terrorist attacks that intend to scare us,” said
Tracy Williams, the TCU education abroad coordinator.
Students may be hesitant to go overseas, she said, but
most have not been overly concerned about the bombings
in Madrid.
“My mom called me everyday after the attacks,”
said Lauren Robinson, a junior studying abroad in Seville,
Spain. “Naturally she is really worried, but I think
that the U.S. news media has made it a lot worse than
it is.”
A few parents have called about the train bombing in Madrid,
but mostly to confirm that the study abroad programs in
Spain would not be canceled, Williams said.
“After the bombing in Spain, we called the parents
of all the students on the TCU Seville program, and most
felt comfortable with their students being there,”
Williams said.
Elizabeth Buchanan, a junior studying in Spain this semester,
said she feels safer in Spain than she would if she were
in the United States because she doubts anything else
will happen there.
“My family is not worried about me being here. They
know I will make good decisions and avoid situations that
might be dangerous,” Buchanan said.
Robinson still feels safe in Seville and has enjoyed witnessing
the unity of the people there, she said. During the evening
hours, Robinson said, stores and public places close and
there are peace walks and demonstrations.
“It has been amazing to see the Spaniards come together
and show their support for the people of Madrid,”
Robinson said. |
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