AU students studying abroad are paying close attention to developments in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as they encounter international opinion about the United States' response to provide relief to Katrina victims.
"My host mother asked me why it is taking the government so long to do something," said Janyne Quarm, a junior in the School of International Service participating in the Andes/Rainforest program. "She said that in the case of Katrina she was surprised to see how disorganized the U.S. is in terms of getting people out and in general addressing the issue in a speedily fashion.
"A student who works in my building commented on how it took something like nature to show the true colors of the U.S. in that racism still exists, and how the Hurricane Katrina victims shown in the media are always black and portrayed in a negative light; you don't see whites," Quarm said.
Students studying abroad say they keep abreast of U.S. news via the Internet and communications with family.
"I check online everyday for the latest Katrina news," said Whitney Van Wyk, a senior in the Kogod School of Business and a participant in the Madrid and Mediterranean program. "The lack of response is really sad," she said. "The U.S. took a long time to mobilize the response effort, maybe lives could've been spared."
Dan Beatty, a junior in the School of Public Affairs who is participating in the Madrid and Mediterranean program, has spoken with people in Spain about Katrina.
"My host mother's grandmother thinks it's a tragedy, the stories are in all the newspapers here," he said.
"We have been following it pretty well but it is so difficult to understand exactly what is going on if you only watch the news," said SPA senior Keren Johnson, a participant in the Andes/Rainforest program.
"The news has mentioned the hurricane but focused more on two Chileans who were trapped in New Orleans," Johnson said.
The U.S. has given millions of dollars to relief efforts for natural disasters occurring in other countries. Congress appropriated $907.3 million in December 2004 for long-term relief to the areas affected by the tsunami, according to USAID.gov.
Some natives of Spain say that other countries should give their support to the U.S. in the Katrina relief effort.
"If it happened in my country I would want help from other countries in the relief effort," said Amelia Redondon, receptionist for the College for International Studies in Madrid. "Apart from politics, the relief effort is simply to help the people," she said.
Magdalena Diaz, a librarian for the College of International Studies in Madrid believes the U.S. was a little late to respond with aid, but that finding fault is not necessary.
"We are all human...No one is responsible for this tragedy," Diaz said.
