For some students, living and studying in a foreign country has been more than just seeing sights and learning another culture; this semester it has shown a different and sometimes frightening view of others’ perceptions of Americans and their country.
Alan Comer, an international trade and finance sophomore in England, said many people in Europe think of the war as a conflict over oil and racism.
“The problem over here is that most of their media does not show both sides, and a lot of people over here read obviously biased tabloids daily instead of informational newspapers,” Comer said.
Comer does not attribute the biased opinion entirely to foreign media. He said the U.S. government has not done the best job explaining itself to the world.
“Once you have explained the reasons America is planning to do this, they still may disagree but can at least see the logic in it,” Comer said.
He said American media has depicted Europeans as “anti-American,” giving many, including himself, a misconception of their attitudes toward Americans.
“I have never met someone who has hated me because I was American, even in France where it is supposed to be the worst of all the European [attitudes] toward Americans,” Comer said. “If I only watch TV, I would think people would beat me down on the streets as soon as someone knew I was from the U.S.A.”
Comer said he has known female students being harassed by Muslim men. He said the men have screamed and acted aggressively toward them because of their country’s stance. No one has been physically harmed, he said.
Mary Beth Lambert, an international studies junior in France, said the sentiment toward Americans in France is generally anti-American.
“This war gives them more reason to consider us the root of all evil,” Lambert said.
She said she has not experienced any backlash for being American, but she gets the occasional “not-so-nice” looks.
“There’s always the nasty stereotypes, which we are all guilty of,” Lambert said. “Sometimes I think it would be easier to say I’m Canadian.”
Lambert said being away from the United States for seven months has let her see other countries’ reactions and the widespread disagreement of the war.
“I don’t know how it is [in the US], but the anti-war posters, graffiti, protests, comments and headlines are everywhere all the time,” she said. “I think the worst that I’ve seen was in Spain. Some of the images there sent chills up my spine.”
Andrew Marse, a French senior studying in France, said he has not met a single French person who is for the war, and the general feelings toward Americans are negative when they first meet one.
He said the French and American media broadcast two different stories the majority of the time, making it difficult for some to understand which cause is [justified].
“Having seen the other side of the issue, it has become impossible for me to justify complete support for one side or the other, especially when there are worldwide protests against the war,” Marse said.
Kiersten Rogers, a psychology junior studying in Germany, said almost all the people in Germany right now are against the war and American ideas. Despite the overall disdain for Americans, Rogers said she feels safe being overseas.
“I’ve had a little backlash, but it does not affect me too much,” Rogers said. “Some people just feel the need to be rude or mock English-speaking people, not only Americans.”
Jane Chandler, Academic Programs Abroad coordinator, said the department always tells students to keep a low profile any time they are in another country, regardless of war.
“Americans tend to take more space and pump up the volume because we have more room,” Chandler said. “Europeans have less space and more people per square feet. We just tell them to fit in and not call attention to themselves.”
She said she usually discourages students from going to American hangouts because it helps them interact with more natives. However, this advice has become a requirement since America has gone to war.
“If terrorists are going to target anywhere, they’re going to target those spots,” Chandler said.
She said there has not been a decline in students’ interest for studying abroad, and no one has canceled their trip because of the war.
“I get an application every day,” Chandler said. “We have more students scheduled this year than we’ve ever had.”
The University takes precautions to protect its students by setting up a Web site to post travel warnings or announcements, and they encourage regular contact with family and friends, Chandler said.
She said the host universities also are providing international students with safe precautions by asking them to have regular contact with their programs abroad coordinators.
“They’re giving emergency contact numbers, staff home numbers and they hold meetings and briefings when appropriate,” Chandler said. “It’s something they’re doing for all the students because of the situation at hand.”