Local Students Experience Devastating Earthquake While Studying Abroad
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As Nepal deals with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, people at a university in the Lehigh Valley are glad to learn that some of their students studying abroad in that country are safe.
It was supposed to be a unique educational experience. Four students from Muhlenberg University in Allentown, were 50 miles outside the epicenter of a 7.8 earthquake that rocked Kathmandu.
Director of Communications for the university, Mike Bruckner, says the school is relieved to know all the students are okay.
"We have four students currently studying in Nepal. All four are safe, they have all been contacted. The program is scheduled to end in a couple of weeks. We really do not know if they are going to curtail it and cut it short or continue the last couple of weeks and then come home," Bruckner said.
"Safety is the first priority of any education aboard program. The whole college is thinking about the devastation and praying for more survivors and praying for the families."
The students were in Nepal studying their various fields, including environmental studies, international relations and anthropology.
Three of the four students were in the same place at the time of the quake, and one was in India.
The students have contacted their families to let them know they are okay.