The Skidmore Study Abroad Office published a statement in regards to the attacks in Brussels today, March 22nd, and from what they have heard all Skidmore students studying abroad in Europe this semester are safe. “We have heard from our Skidmore program directors in Madrid and Paris and, thankfully, none of the students on those programs are in Belgium at this time, nor do they have plans to travel to the area. We have also heard from many of our partners throughout Europe and, from what we have heard, all of our Skidmore students are safe,” read the announcement from Cori Filson, Director of Off-Campus Study & Exchanges.
In regards to the other Skidmore-run program in London, where 30 students are studying, Filson says that they have heard from the majority of the students and they are all safe.
This semester, no students are studying abroad in Belgium. There are currently, though, six Skidmore students studying on the IES European Union Program. This program has a travel component to Brussels. However, the students on the program are not currently in Brussels and are safe in Frieburg, Germany. “I do not know when the Brussels travel component is/was planned to happen or if IES will need to change the location,” said Filson.
The statement from the study abroad office says that they urge all students to avoid all travel to Belgium. “Undoubtedly, the situation in that area will be unstable for many weeks to come. The government and people of Belgium will be trying to recover from these terrible attacks. Unfortunately, they will also be alert to future attacks or additional incidents. Quite simply, it is not safe for our students to travel to this area,” reads the statement from the study abroad office.