I want to preface this
blogpost by stating that I do not claim to represent the opinions of UNCG or
the Lloyd International Honors College. These are simply my insights on
the tragedies which have ensued as of late, especially in regards to the effect
they have on study abroad.
Last Tuesday morning, my
friends and I were discussing where we would travel for our long Easter
weekend. One friend had planned on going to Brussels for the weekend and
had already bought her plane tickets and rented a hostel. Along with a
few others, I was considering joining her on her trip when, suddenly, we heard
the news: an airport in Brussels had been bombed and the death count was slowly
rising.
I had been warned
numerous times before leaving to study abroad in Lyon, France that I need to be
careful and hyperaware of my surroundings because of the Paris terrorist
attacks, but it never felt as real to me as a few nights ago. On my
routing bus ride home from university, I noticed a passenger get off the back
of the bus who was covering his face with the hood of his jacket. I made
eye contact with another passenger and we gave each other that “I have no idea”
expression. When the suspicious passenger descended the bus, the other
passenger and I both noticed that a bag was left beneath the man’s chair.
We are always told to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to
report if a bag has been left in a public space, so you can imagine our fear in
that moment. The other passenger got up and slowly nudged the bag with
his foot and then opened it. Thankfully, it ended up just being some
trash, but I am so grateful for that other passenger and his care in the given
situation.
Although it turned out
to be nothing dangerous, that night was the first time in my study abroad
experience in which I have truly felt the fear of the people living here and
the threat put upon them presently. The thing is, this fear which has
recently been felt by much of the Western world is the daily existence of many
in other parts of the world. That does not, by any means, diminish the
validity of our newfound fear, but rather allows some perspective on what life
is like for others.
After the Paris attacks,
the world was on high alert and many people with plans to study abroad made the
decision to remain in their home countries. I understand this decision
completely as the risk of traveling is definitely elevated right now, but I
also do not think that we should let this fear control us. As Canadian
rapper Drake so eloquently proclaimed, “You only live once”. For those
hoping to travel or study abroad next semester, I urge you all to please take
the incredible opportunity while you can and do not let these occurrences hold
you back. I do not deny that I had my worries prior to coming to France
and still have some, but the chance to travel to different countries and
experience cultures which are entirely new to me does not come often and I am
so glad that I made the decision to go.
Madison Shelton
Jean Moulin University Lyon 3
Lyon, France
