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AU Abroad delays start of Kenya program
By Laraine Weschler on 1/17/08
Media coverage of post-election violence in Kenya has exaggerated the situation and oversimplified the conflict, according to AU students currently studying in the country.
All students who had planned to study abroad in Nairobi, Kenya, this semester are now on-site. The directors delayed the program by one week to start Jan. 10 to assess the security situation, according to Tina Murray, the associate director of AU Abroad.
Contested elections last month led to widespread violence and ethnic killings, leaving more than 600 dead and 250,000 displaced, according to a CNN.com article published yesterday. However, violence is limited to certain pockets, which do not include the neighborhood where AU students are living, Kelly Jo Bahry, resident director in Kenya, said in an e-mail.
Amanda Park, a junior in the School of International Service who is in the Kenya program, said she thought the media attention was exaggerated.
"The media really hypes up what's going on over here," Parker said. "While it is incredibly sad and tragic for some, it is not an accurate representation of what's actually occurring throughout the country."
Some students were initially concerned about their safety before flying to Kenya, but Bahry sent e-mails to ease their fears.
"I began writing daily e-mails to former and current students to counteract all the completely unbalanced media coverage and to let them know that Kenyans are practicing peace and stability every day," Bahry said.
However, Bahry's efforts failed to ease concerns from some parents.
"My parents almost lost their minds," Molly Canty, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs who is in the Kenya program, said in an e-mail. "My mother was actually vomiting."
Despite her parents' concerns, Canty boarded the plane as scheduled.
"I trusted the judgment of Kelly Jo Bahry and got on my flight just as excited as I had been before the election violence," she said.
All students who had planned to study abroad in Nairobi, Kenya, this semester are now on-site. The directors delayed the program by one week to start Jan. 10 to assess the security situation, according to Tina Murray, the associate director of AU Abroad.
Contested elections last month led to widespread violence and ethnic killings, leaving more than 600 dead and 250,000 displaced, according to a CNN.com article published yesterday. However, violence is limited to certain pockets, which do not include the neighborhood where AU students are living, Kelly Jo Bahry, resident director in Kenya, said in an e-mail.
Amanda Park, a junior in the School of International Service who is in the Kenya program, said she thought the media attention was exaggerated.
"The media really hypes up what's going on over here," Parker said. "While it is incredibly sad and tragic for some, it is not an accurate representation of what's actually occurring throughout the country."
Some students were initially concerned about their safety before flying to Kenya, but Bahry sent e-mails to ease their fears.
"I began writing daily e-mails to former and current students to counteract all the completely unbalanced media coverage and to let them know that Kenyans are practicing peace and stability every day," Bahry said.
However, Bahry's efforts failed to ease concerns from some parents.
"My parents almost lost their minds," Molly Canty, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs who is in the Kenya program, said in an e-mail. "My mother was actually vomiting."
Despite her parents' concerns, Canty boarded the plane as scheduled.
"I trusted the judgment of Kelly Jo Bahry and got on my flight just as excited as I had been before the election violence," she said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Cleophas
posted 1/17/08 @ 3:14 AM EST
I agree with Bahry 100%. Media have really exaggerated the situation in Kenya. I live in Nairobi and have had no incidence as I go to work and back. It is true some pockets are dangerous. (Continued…)
Mary
posted 1/17/08 @ 11:43 AM EST
I did not actually vomit but I came close:)
Everyone who knows Molly knows that no matter what if she has her mind set on something she gets it done. (Continued…)
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