The Age of Global Terrorism - Would you Study Abroad?












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            * The Age of Global Terrorism - Would you Study Abroad?
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            The day I found out that I had been accepted into my university’s study abroad programme, 

            of 2015, I was ecstatic. I learned that in September I would travel to Prague to study wit
            of Arts at the Charles University of Prague for one academic year; this tremendous opportu
            me with anticipation and like any excited student preparations for my departure began imme

            attempted to prepare myself for the new culture that I would experience in the heart of Eu
            my accommodation, I prepared my wardrobe for a warmer summer and a colder winter, I prepar
            for travelling and living within the Czech Republic, I prepared my new currency, and I pre

            and family for my departure; the day I flew from London to Prague I honestly believed I wa
            for my year abroad.  

            My biggest reservations pre-departure included the fear of getting lost after a night out 
            forbid – not finding WIFI to connect with social media within minutes of landing safely at
            Preparing myself for any sort of disaster was not on my to-do list, preparing myself to de

            impacts of global terrorism was not something I believed would be necessary; the thought n
            mind. However, as a student studying abroad in the age of global terrorism threats, I am l
            if I was na?ve to be so unprepared for this reality. Would I have chosen to study abroad i

            situation would become so unsettled in Europe?
            Growing up in a big city has afforded me to be relatively impassive when it comes to the t
            London is generally always considered a target for global terrorism and I cannot be consta

            fear at home at something that may or may not occur and of which I have no control over. T
            to Prague, another bustling city and tourist hotspot, in theory should not make me more fe
            threat of terrorism, nonetheless being away from home in new and unaccustomed surroundings

            person feel more vulnerable. The safety net of familiarity is stolen from students in a ne
            when news reaches Prague about a terror attack from elsewhere in the world it is difficult
            feeling of insecurity whilst you’re away from home.

            Despite the fact that studying abroad in Prague has in ways made me feel more vulnerable t
            global terrorism, as it has many of my friends that I have met here, it is because I am st
            that I am much more connected to the rest of world. This connection provides many more pos

            which outweigh my heightened vulnerability. I have come into contact with people from all 
            some who are also studying in Prague, others travelling or working here, but all of whom h
            life and my experience abroad.

            During the autumn semester when I first arrived in Prague the situation was relatively cal
            somewhat emotionally distanced from the global terror threat. Now in the midst of the summ
            situation is more turbulent (this article is being written a few weeks after the attacks i

            my newly found international friends have changed my outlook on global terrorism; when som
            occurs I am more emotionally involved, I am more sympathetic and essentially I am stronger
            together with my foreign friends during this age of global terrorism threats.

            I know that I would not change my decision to study abroad and I hope that future generati
            do not let the threat of global terrorism deter them from connecting with other nationalit
            abroad programmes. Terror can be used to divide cultures, but studying abroad can narrow t

            them, allowing students from all over the world to stand strong together.                 
            Abbie Elizabeth Burnett is a BA History student studying at the University of Essex in the
            is enthusiastic to immerse herself in all the opportunities that an Erasmus year within th
            experience, meet new people and experience other cultures.