Several Students From Pitt, PSU Studying Abroad In Brussels, None Directly Affected By Attacks
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Students from two universities in our area were in Brussels Tuesday morning when the attacks happened, as part of their schools' study abroad programs.
"Huge sigh of relief," said Vanessa Sterling from the study abroad office at the University of Pittsburgh. She says they have two students in Brussels and heard from them both about an hour after the attacks.
"The director of study abroad did speak with them, emailed with them," said Sterling. "They're fine. They're a little shaken up, but they're fine. Both of them were doing school work at the time."
One of the students is from near Philadelphia, the other from Connecticut. For now, both plan on staying in Brussels.
Penn State reports seven students in Belgium, six of whom are in Brussels.
"None of the students were directly affected. We are grateful for this positive information about their safety," said Lisa Powers, Penn State spokesperson.
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Meantime, AAA Travel says it's checking, too, on any clients who may be in Belgium vacationing.
"On a national level, we're just trying to get a head count and see who is safe right now," said AAA Spokesperson Chelsea Pompeani.
And when they get calls asking them if travel overseas is safe: "It's your personal decision," said Pompeani. "We can't tell you one way or other, you know, what you want to do. It's a personal decision, but we do want to tell people to be vigilant."