A travel advisory issued last week may have caused concern for Americans in Europe, but University students studying abroad are not letting it affect their experiences.
 
The State Department issued a travel advisory warning Americans of the possibility of a terrorist attack in Europe. They were told to remain cautious, especially in high-traffic areas like airports and tourist spots.
 
There are 25 University students currently studying in Europe, according to Director of Academic Programs Abroad Harald Leder.
Theater sophomore Weston Twardowski, who is studying in Nottingham, England, said he was aware of the advisory within a few hours of it being issued.
 
“When I heard, I wasn’t terribly surprised,” Twardowski said. “If you examine the last couple of years, there are frequent terrorist attack attempts, successes and, of course, warnings.”
 
Twardowski said while he plans to be more cautious, he will not rearrange his travel plans.
 
“I have no intention of limiting my travel activities,” Twardowski wrote in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille. “I have no idea when the next time I will be in Europe will be, and I’m not about to let fear destroy my experience.”
 
Math junior Jill Hayden, who is studying in Marburg, Germany, said she was notified of the advisory by multiple family members but wasn’t concerned about the alert.
 
“I live in a rural location in Germany, and in my opinion it is very unlikely to be attacked,” Hayden wrote in an e-mail.
 
Hayden said she mostly travels within Germany, so the advisory will not affect her future travel plans.
 
Leder said travel advisories don’t discourage travel but ask that people remain aware and cautious while doing so.
“We notified students in Europe and are aware of it,” Leder said. “However, there is really nothing out of the ordinary.”
 
Leder said Academic Programs Abroad has dealt with security issues before, like a having a group of University students in London during the summer 2005 bombings.
 
“It’s something we’ve been living with for quite some time,” Leder said.
 
Leder said he feels University students are safe studying at partner institutions in Europe.
 
“We have a good relationship with partner schools and know they’re taking good care of our students,” Leder said.
 
U.S. citizens are advised to register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy, according to the advisory.
 
The advisory will remain in effect until Jan. 31.
 
 
 
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Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]