The Study Abroad Office hasn’t made any drastic changes to its programs since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Manfred Thullen, executive director of international programs at NIU’s Study Abroad Office, thinks the program is not in any unusual danger.

“Since the Sept. 11 attacks, we have tried to go on with business as usual,” Thullen said. “Well, as usual as any one can since the attacks.”

Currently, there are 21 NIU students studying abroad, but none of them have returned since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Anne Seitzinger, who has worked with the study abroad program for the last 15 years, said the percentage of students who have signed up for the winter program to study abroad has not changed.

Seitzinger is the coordinator of the NIU Administered Study Abroad Program. For her, working with the Study Abroad Program is something she strongly encouraged to students to participate in before and after the Sept. 11 attacks.

“We are proceeding as normal,” Seitzinger said. “We haven’t canceled any programs, and we don’t intend to. We definitely encourage students to continue to talk to faculty and advisers, as well as other students who have studied abroad.”

Thullen agrees.

“It’s more important now then ever for students to go to other countries and have a better understanding of their cultures and others way of life,” Thullen said.

Although some students may not be concerned with studying abroad, some parents are.

“Some parents have said ‘no,’ that they won’t support us sending their children abroad,” Seitzinger said. “Anyone can put themselves in their shoes and understand what their fears are. We, however, give them facts and statics on if there is any U.S. warning on where their child is located. At this point right now students aren’t in any more danger now, than they would have been six months ago studying abroad.”

For the Study Abroad Office, information regarding precautions in traveling overseas is something the program tries to educate about. The office provides counseling and advice on programs and travel. They also have a risk management plan in place in case of an emergency that will affect students traveling abroad.