After almost 20 days of riots have consumed France with youths setting thousands of cars on fire, burning public buildings and attacking police, Boston University study abroad officials say those currently studying in Paris and Grenoble are safe.
According to a U.S. State Department public announcement released Monday, “significant unrest that began in the northern suburbs of Paris Oct. 27 has now spread to several locations within the city limits of Paris, and to many other cities throughout France.”
The riots began after two teenagers, who believed they were being chased by police, died from accidentally being electrocuted in the Seine-Saint-Denis region Oct. 27. Multiple violent acts ensued, with many rioters saying they are discontented by police control and issues in impoverished areas around the country.
The BU Division of International Programs sent an email last Tuesday afternoon to parents of students currently studying in Paris and to those accepted to the program next semester.
The email told parents and students that rioting has “occurred in areas that are not frequented by [their] students and has been almost always directed toward property and not toward persons or transportation.”
The U.S. State Department announcement described that “angry youths have set fire to many buildings and thousands of vehicles. While damage to property has been extensive, there seems to be no pattern of arsonists directing their anger at ordinary citizens or tourists.”
The university email also said Paris Program Director Gerald Honigsblum has been in “close and regular contact with each student,” and that students currently studying should be cautious, particularly at night.
Reached at his office in Paris, Honigsblum declined to comment.
Division of International Programs Associate Director Debra Terzian said the most recent word the university has received from Honingblum is that current program students are continuing to work normally and have not witnessed any incident of unrest. She said the Paris program staff communicates regularly with students in person or via email, phone or cell phone.
“Boston University students are safe,” Terzian said in an email. “No student has left the program as a result of recent events. Current students and their parents have also been in communication with each other.
“International Programs staff in Boston and in Paris are committed to the safety and well-being of our students abroad,” she continued. “We will continue to monitor events daily.”
The violence in France is not affecting students, BU spokesman Colin Riley said. He said communication is open between the university and students.
“Our programs are well-run,” he said. “Student safety is our highest concern.”
CAS senior Sara Kitaeff, who studied last year as part of the Paris Internship Program, said she has confidence in the university’s ability to deal with any problems abroad.
“I not once felt unsafe, threatened or uncomfortable in the country while I was studying there,” she said in an email. “Nor have I ever felt threatened any other time I have visited Paris.”
Kitaeff said she is planning on visiting friends in Paris over Thanksgiving break, but is contemplating postponing her trip.
“With the current situation in Paris and surrounding areas I am rethinking my plans for visiting the city over Thanksgiving break,” she said. “I have spoken to a few [of my French friends] about the goings-on in the city, and none of them have said they feel uncomfortable there at the moment, although one friend said she saw two cars on fire a few nights ago.
“I think the media tends to over-emphasize these kinds of occurrences, as I certainly hope is happening now,” she continued.
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