Volcanic eruption strands overseas students

A volcanic eruption in Iceland last week prevented Boston University students studying abroad in Europe from taking to the skies.

The large amount of ash that the volcano spewed into the air, which could potentially clog airplane engines and make them fail, led airports across Europe to cancel thousands of flights causing delays all over the region.

International Programs posted an update on their website Wednesday that stated transatlantic flights have “partially resumed” and may return to a normal schedule this weekend.

However, IP warned students that it could take days or weeks before the build-up of people who were stranded gets cleared.

The update also said the travel ban could possibly be reinstated if the volcano continues to erupt.

Students should check with their travel agencies to confirm their flights are still on time, the update said. If delays continue, students would be able to stay in BU housing at no additional cost.

Some students said the ash cloud changed many of their travel arrangements.
College of Arts and Sciences junior Sarah Segal, who is studying abroad in London, said her friends and family had been planning on visiting her, prior to the April 14 eruption.

“I was supposed to have a friend visit the previous weekend but all flights were cancelled into the UK,” she said in an email. “My parents were supposed to come visit on Tuesday. Their flight was also cancelled, leaving them without a flight into London. The next flight they could schedule was the following Monday, therefore throwing off all of our traveling plans.”

Tom Waldman, a College of Engineering sophomore, is experiencing similar struggles with vacation plans while studying abroad in Germany.

He said he was planning on going to the western border of Germany last weekend with friends and was shocked the delay was a result of a volcanic eruption.

“Thursday night, before my 5 a.m. bus, I got an email from Ryanair telling me my flight was canceled due to a volcano,” he said in a message. “I was in complete disbelief. I literally thought it was a joke.”

Both Waldman and Segal said they had other friends who were in similar situations while abroad.

“Someone else on the trip with me was in Munich and was supposed to meet a friend there, but they couldn’t fly in so she was stuck there all by herself for the weekend,” Waldman said.

Segal said other students studying abroad have mixed reactions.

“Some were excited by the prospect of spending more time in London due to the possibility of their flights being canceled,” she said. “Others are anxious and have started looking for alternatives to flying. I heard of one girl trying to take a cruise back to the States, which sounds pretty ridiculous to me.