Austin Sailsbury was not in the United States when the war with Iraq began. The architecture senior heard the news of the war while studying abroad in England.
Sailsbury's experience is one echoed by many Sooner family members who were overseas when the fighting began two weeks ago.
Though they are taking extra precautions, Sailsbury and other OU students said they are not letting the war dampen their cultural experience. In fact, it may even be enhancing it.
"I still think I made the right choice by coming here," Salisbury said. "There have been so many amazing experiences, and none of them have been bad to note."
Michael Nichols, Russian area studies senior currently studying in Russia, said it is a different perspective to see the war from another country.
"It is especially unique to see the outbreak of war from Russia," Nichols said. "I am able to watch the diplomatic battles from the outside of Western Europe and the United States."
This unique perspective is exactly what studying abroad is all about, said Millie Audus, director of education abroad and international student services.
"I think that after Sept. 11, we had an increased number of students going abroad," Audus said. "There was just a commitment from the American students to want to go abroad and see the need to understand other cultures and points of view even more urgently than before Sept. 11."
Students studying abroad get to experience these points of view, both positive and negative.
"My greatest proponent of opinion comes from a friend who is Kuwaiti," Sailsbury said of a fellow student at Birmingham.
"Being a highly educated and traveled man, he thinks we're doing the right thing. As someone who knows the region, regime and situation firsthand, I respect his opinion above those of CNN, ABC or the BBC."
Nichols said he is also experiencing many different opinions on the subject of war.
"I experience the anti-war sentiment around the world firsthand by discussing the war with Russians and other foreign exchange students," Nichols said.
Michael Morris, assistant director for study abroad and exchange programs, said his biggest concern for students abroad at this time was to keep "their chins up."
"These students abroad, to one extent or another, are experiencing the repercussions of our foreign policy. Americans aren't exactly the most popular visitors to countries X, Y or Z right now, and my concern is just their attitude and spirit," he said.
Morris said he is mostly concerned about students being discouraged by bad press about the U.S. military and President George W. Bush.
This discouragement, however, does not seem to be far-reaching.
Students abroad have shown concern, "but no one has bought a plane ticket home," Morris said.
Nichols said he is enjoying representing America abroad at this time.
"As an American, I am representing my country," Nichols said. "I think we must see all sides of the conflict, respecting many different opinions."
Even OU students who are preparing to head overseas in a few months say they are going onward with their plans despite the conflict.
Meredith Walck, history and public relations sophomore, said she will fly to Oxford, England, in July even if the war is still on.
"I'm concerned a little bit, but I think with all the new security standards, I feel pretty safe," she said. "I'm just excited to get going."
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