The protests in France of the recently imposed CPE laws have made many American students studying abroad rethink their safety.

The protests were a result of a French law, which states businesses who hire employees that are under 26 years old are granted a two-year period in which they can fire or release the employees without cause.

They lasted for more than two months this year, which was declared the “Year of Study Abroad” by the U.S. Congress.

Though the French government repealed the law April 10, the CPE protests have created concerns for American students studying in Europe, where countries are widely considered to be relatively safe.

Another incident that has stirred up concern hit close to home for one group of N.C. State students. During the terrorist attacks in London in 2005, students participating in a summer Study Abroad program were in class when the first round of bombings occurred.

Evidently, the explosions were in such close proximity to the school that they could be heard in the classroom.

According to Ingrid Schmidt, the director of the Study Abroad Office, students in the program were largely unfazed by the bombings.

“We made sure that all students in the program had the option of coming home early without any academic or financial penalties if they were worried for their safety,” Schmidt said. “Not one came home. They all said that the only thing they were afraid of was that they would have to come home early.”

Schmidt said that the Study Abroad Office always instructs its students on travel safety before they leave the U.S. to try to avoid a potentially dangerous incident.

“During orientation, we always have people think about safety,” Schmidt said. “I’ve had students on the streets of downtown Paris at four in the morning, and they don’t understand why they got robbed. There are ways to minimize your risk.”

In situations like the CPE protests, Schmidt said that American students should resist the temptation to join in, even if they are asked to by foreign friends.

“As a member of a culture, you always have the ability to know when a situation is becoming unsafe, and American students may not have that ability,” Schmidt said. “I have seen nonviolent protests before, but it’s best to stay away from the situation altogether.”

The Study Abroad Office also provides overseas students the phone number for Campus Police. Schmidt said that the number is intended as a last resort for students who are panicking and don’t know where else to call.

Campus Police can help students in trouble by locating the phone number of someone who can call the student back.

Schmidt said the Study Abroad Office subscribes to a listserv from the State Department that will alert them whenever there is a danger for Americans in another country.

“If there is unrest overseas, we send an e-mail to check up on any students we may have in that area,” Schmidt said. “We always tell students to get in touch with their friends and families so they don’t have to worry.”

While the London bombings were not enough to force any students home, Schmidt said the Study Abroad Office always has to plan for a more serious situation that could require drastic measures.

“If things ever got unsafe, I would assemble the emergency response team to decide what to do next, and decide whether or not to evacuate the program,” Schmidt said.

While Schmidt added that many people prefer not to worry about situations with a potential for danger, she argued that it is necessary.

“I would never want people not to discuss [safety],” she said. “People need to be aware of how to minimize risks.”