St. Thomas students have the opportunity to study abroad each semester or J-Term, and some like to choose locations in Europe, a recent target of terrorist threats.

Europe has been warned by al-Qaida on multiple occasions these past two months about potential attacks on European soil. While the validity of the threats is always questioned by officials, these potential threats are always mentioned to St. Thomas students who study abroad each semester. Sarah Spencer, director of short-term off-campus programs, makes sure students know about possible safety issues before they leave.

“Issues of health, safety and security are covered during pre-departure orientation on campus,” Spencer said.

Spencer said students are also informed when arriving at their destinations, should there be any problems like the current problem in Europe. Europe’s security warning will not be lifted until late January 2011, well after students have started J-Term.

“Once students are accepted and approved into their programs, their program sponsor will communicate if there are any updates as we are monitoring if a situation develops,” Spencer said.

The threat of attacks has also impacted students who are currently abroad. Laura Espel, a St. Thomas junior who is studying abroad in London this semester, knows about the threats but keeps going about her daily routine.

“We have heard a fair amount about the threats,” Espel said, “but basically we have just been told to keep living our lives and take all the precautions we can.”

Espel said that students who are abroad need to keep in touch with their abroad school on a regular basis, just in case a threat arose.

There has been a worldwide caution on travel from the U.S. Department of State since 1998, Spencer said.

“Every year,” Spencer said, “there have been extra warnings in a variety of locations globally.”

The advice for studying abroad, according to Spencer, has not changed: students should keep in contact with their program sponsor and follow directions if certain actions are required.

Nathan Spencer can be contacted at spen9079@stthomas.edu.