International students express emotions toward Sept. 11

A horrible disaster, killing thousands of people, occurred over a year ago. That day affected not only America’s outlook on the world, but also views of all its citizens, including Georgia College and State University’s international students.

“There are so many feelings and thoughts that go through my mind when I look back at 9/11,” said Sanjay Paul, a graduate student from India. “It is not only because of the magnitude of the destruction, but also how it has affected the whole world.”

The events of this day destroyed not only meaningful buildings, but America’s pride.

“Not just from the perspective of an International, but from the very core fact of being humane, if I have to share my views about 9/11, it stands as much a tragic event for us as it is for an American,” said Rima Chaudhuri, a junior from India. “The Twin Towers was not the pride of America alone, it was a pride of the Capitalistic economy, a symbol of the expanse of affluence and prosperity, seeing it in shambles now, still runs the same chill as it did on Sept. 11.”

Feelings of fear concern and insecurity, among others, consume these international students.

“The horror of Sept. 11, is now part of the national identity of the USA. I am not an American citizen, but I understand that man’s capacity for cruelty and inhumanity is seemingly fathomless,” said Tony Shen, a graduate student from China. “People from the entire world are all in this together — not just with the people in Washington, New York, but the people in Afghanistan and even the terrorists themselves. This is not to justify their actions. What they did was beyond words, and in its horror we are seeing the basic law that for each action there is an equal and opposite reaction playing out in our lives. Their actions were unbelievably brutal, and in the aftermath we are seeing great unity, great courage in the actions of those on the plane in Pennsylvania and the rescue workers, great compassion and selflessness as well as the support from the entire universe.”

This day changed the world and the future for all generations. Wendy Nkari, a junior from Kenya,, encountered a similar experience of the U.S. Embassy being bombed in her homeland.

“Sept. 11 then came its place, and it was over a large magnitude. This was over 10 times what happened in Kenya. Acts like this are inhuman. This is an event that really moved me,” said Nkari. “I wish the world would change, and these kinds of things would not have to happen. We can only pay tribute to those that are departed and support the survivors and their families. Sept. 11 is a day, we shall all wake up to remember all that and it shall forever remain tragic.”

The future lies ahead and will change depending on how the world reacts to this day.

“As we deal with our own responses and grief, we also should remember that children are also especially at risk to experience fear, hunger and anxiety as reactions to these events,” said Shen. “In particular, the children of Afghanistan who have seen the unspeakable pain and agony of over twenty years of war and crimes that have inflicted untold miseries on the population. For every moment that the world stands by and silently watches Afghanistan crumble, more children suffer and die. They need help and support from us too! Let the whole universe help them survive there! Education and health are the keys to personal well-being and sustainable development in Afghanistan. The power of education can save families from poverty, babies from dying, and young children from lives of destitute. Most of all, a generation of children, armed with knowledge through education, can lift up a nation. To lead productive lives, children’s health must be taken care of. With healthy bodies and healthy minds, they can paint their future.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 13 2002. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry