After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and increases in terrorism worldwide, officials in the Boston University Office of International Programs said they are in constant contact with representatives in abroad locations and have stepped up pre-program advisories to students.
‘Since the events of Sept. 11, we have reviewed and revised our measures dealing specifically with political emergencies and threats,’ said Joseph Finkhouse, director of Student Affairs of the Boston University International Programs. ‘In the current climate, all sites abroad have been asked to bring their emergency plans up to date, and file them with Boston.’
There are currently 870 total BU students studying abroad this semester, 525 in BU programs.
During the semester, Finkhouse said Boston-based staff is in ongoing communication with program offices abroad and carefully monitors the economic and political situation of the host country. Boston staff also work with local staff to monitor the health, safety, progress and well-being of abroad students, he said.
Overseas resident staff is responsible for keeping ongoing contact with students studying abroad, as well as with United States embassies, local universities, other appropriate bodies in program host cities and the International Programs staff in Boston, according to the International Programs website.
Each program has different safety measures, but general safety measures apply in BU’s programs worldwide, Finkhouse said.
‘Because the conditions of each program are different, it’s important that each program abroad develop its own plan for dealing with emergencies, and for day-to-day safety measures,’ Finkhouse said. ‘We are in ongoing daily contact with all of our program sites, and through them with local embassies, consulates and other authorities.
‘We also provide for 24/7 emergency contact, at each site and in Boston, and would be able to act quickly at any time in the event of an emergency,’ he continued.
BU abroad officials advise students to stay aware of the current situation in the country they are studying, as well as around the world, by listening to the radio, watching the news and reading the newspaper daily, according to the website. In the event of an emergency, advisories are often made to the general public through the media, Finkhouse said.
In case of an emergency, students are advised to remain in contact with the on-site staff or the American Consulate nearest to them, according to the website.
Abroad students are also encouraged to avoid or spend as little time as possible in potential target areas for terrorist activities and especially places frequented by Americans, like bars, discos and United States based fast-food restaurants, branches of American banks, American churches and American consulates and embassies, according to the website. Students are also warned to stay away from political demonstrations, the website says.
‘It’s impossible to predict the course of events, or what dangers might arise at home or abroad,’ Finkhouse said. ‘We would never knowingly put students in danger, and our plans are designed to mitigate risk to the greatest extent possible and to protect students in the event of an unforeseen emergency.’
Students are advised not to wear United States college or university insignia clothing, heavily patriotic American clothing or clothing bearing the logos of United States sports teams while abroad, according to the website. They are also encouraged to speak the local language in public, even with other Americans, it says.
Sara Weber, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences who is currently studying in London with the BU program there, said being an American in another country has become a much more nerve-racking experience.
‘I feel that the situation is a lot more tense than the last time I visited England,’ she said. ‘Many people here vocally oppose the war and assume that because you are American, you are automatically for it. If they hear your accent, they automatically want to pull you aside and ask why you are for [the war].’
Weber was told to go directly to her flat and wait for further instructions in the event of terrorist attacks, she said. She said she was also given the number to the embassy, and told is always a safe place to go.
‘I always wanted to study abroad, but after Sept. 11, I thought if I was going anywhere, I’d be best in Britain,’ Weber said. ‘However, there are certain places we are told not to go to for spring break, like Morocco, Egypt, Turkey … basically Muslim countries.’
Still, Finkhouse said no matter how bad the situation has become over the past two years and no matter how many advisories are issued, BU has yet to cancel a program.
‘Boston University has never had to suspend a program abroad or evacuate students,’ Finkhouse said. ‘Even though we are prepared to take such a step, we hope never to need to.’
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