Ana Valdez spent the first weekend in October exploring La Rioja, Spain with her Consortium for Advanced Studies in Barcelona study abroad group. When she got back to her room in Barcelona, her inbox had an urgent e-mail from her program alerting students about the Travel Alert for Europe issued by the U.S. State Department this week.
"They e-mailed us immediately," the Weinberg senior said. "Our program even suggested that we register with the U.S. Consulate, just in case."
According to the International SOS, an alleged Islamist extremist plan to carry out attacks in the United Kingdom, France and Germany surfaced Sept. 29. The State Department issued the alert urging American citizens in Europe to be wary about possible terrorist attacks and be extra cautious in tourist areas.
The Study Abroad Office sent an e-mail to all NU students studying abroad in Europe on Monday, urging them to exercise caution when traveling by staying away from franchises associated with the U.S., like Starbucks and McDonald's, and crowded tourist sites.
"We encourage students to review information from the Department of State and International SOS regarding the Travel Alert," said Alicia Stanley, study abroad associate director.
The Study Abroad Office is also suggesting that students speak with on-site staff and the program director for their respective sites, Stanley said.
"Program directors have experience working with security authorities and local governments," she said.
Unless the situation changes, there are no plans to contact students in Europe again, Stanley said.
Despite the Travel Alert, Valdez said she is not taking it too seriously, especially because she is in Spain and not in the UK, France or Germany.
"I think that because these have become so common after 9/11, I see them differently," she said.
Jenny Wang, who is studying at Queen Mary University of London, is in one of the potentially targeted areas. She said she will be more cautious, but will not cut back on her traveling.
"Obviously it's not the most convenient thing to have this happen while you are abroad," the Weinberg junior said. "At the same time, if it turns out that nothing major happens, it would probably be the biggest regret to not have traveled out of fear."
Like Valdez and Wang, Communication senior Nikki White is not too concerned with the travel alert, even though the rest of her family is in the Netherlands.
"My dad is employed by the Department of Defense," she said. "It is strange because when you are an American living abroad under the government, you hear this kind of stuff all the time."
Although White is aware of the dangers both within and outside of U.S. borders, she is still concerned about her family's safety.
"My nervousness comes from my not being with my family, but there is nothing I can really control." The travel alert has scared some people on her program, Valdez said, but she does not intend to change any future travel plans to the UK, France or Germany.
"I was planning a trip to Paris in December, but I'm not thinking about changing my plans because of the alert," she said. "I don't take it as seriously, which is bad, but it is the truth."
l-mogannam@northwestern.edu
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