Student interest in global education has increased at Sacramento State, despite safety concerns arising from the events of September 11 and the subsequent war on terrorism.

Dr. Monica Freeman, coordinator of overseas programs in the Sac State Office of Global Education said that she has observed a continued growth in student interest following recent world events.

“There is a heightened awareness on the part of students that being educated in a global fashion is important,” she said. “We may live physically in a corner of the world but it is part of a greater world.”

The U.S. State Department issued an updated worldwide travel warning on Feb. 2 urging Americans to be cautious and aware when traveling.

Freeman said that although nobody can predict exactly what the situation will be in a particular country, students are provided with the necessary information to have a safe and rewarding experience.

“We do not send students to countries where we feel they are in jeopardy,” Freeman said, “The first thing I do if I feel there is an issue with a particular country is contact my colleagues within that country for an assessment of the situation.”

Before they leave, students attend an orientation where they receive tips on safety, cultural sensitivity and suggested reading for their country of interest, she said.

A study recently published by the Institute of International Education reported that 97 percent of international education professionals observed that international education exchange was more important or equally as important on their campuses in the aftermath of September 11.

“The exchange of knowledge and ideas between American citizens and the people of other nations is vital to American higher education and to the prospect of creating a peaceful, more secure world,” said institute president and CEO, Allan E. Goodman.

Emily Franke, a senior International Relations major, spent the 2000-01 school year in Great Britain and plans to return in the near future.

“World events have made me more aware of certain realities being an American overseas,” she said. “We?re not loved everywhere in the world.”

Due to heightened concerns over the risks associated with studying abroad following the events of Sept. 11, security is tighter than ever and students may be even safer now than they were previously, Franke said.

“People are re-igniting their interest in global education after recognizing that the world hasn?t changed that much,” she said. “We can?t stop traveling, we can?t stop studying abroad. In fact, I believe it is more necessary now than ever.”