Under the nightmare of 911
By Vickey Chiu 

 

Iris Ng, a Macao student in US	The exchange students enjoy their study in the US despite the September terrorist attacks.

                    
"No, I don't feel regret studying in America. It is a new kind of experience for me, especially this kind of thing happened when I'm here," said Iris Cheong. She is one of the exchange students from University of Macao who took part in a six-month programme at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in the United States.

The exchange programme was introduced last year. Five students of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities of UMac were selected to study in America for one semester. Iris Cheong is in the second group who arrived at the US in late August. When they were preparing for their new semester, the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred.

"Yeah, I was shocked by the 911 event," said Kristie Chong who is another exchange student. "I once thought that the situation would be bad for us. I was afraid that the transportation to Macao would be cut off."

After the September 11 attacks, the war between America and Afghanistan has been launched. Recently, Americans have been gripped by the horror of Anthrax. It seems that these uncertainties and fears won't go away soon. Fortunately, the exchange students are safe. 

"The university that I'm studying in is pretty safe. I don't perceive any danger here," said Cheong.

"I felt anxious, but not to the extent that I'm afraid to go out. I still go out as usual," said Chong.

Thousands of miles away, Iris Ng, a Macao student who graduated from secondary school this summer, has just started her study at Mt. San Antonio College in the West Coast. "I didn't realize how serious the attacks were until I saw it on TV and I couldn't believe my eyes," Ng said. Worrying about Ng's safety, her parents asked her to come home at that time, but she did not follow their advice. "I have thought of coming back to Macao because of this event, but this thought only lasted for a few days," Ng said. "Although people here are in a bit of  fear too, I don't think the city that I am living in is greatly affected. We are still going to school." 

"If the terrorists have another attack, we may become more careful but we don't have the power to stop it," Ng said. Although today's America is not as peaceful as it used to be, the event still can not change Ng's will of studying in America. She thinks that America is still a good place to study English.

UMac exchange students are coming back to Macao in December. Despite the horrifying attacks, Cheong and Chong still think studying in America is a memorable experience for them.

"Studying in the US is quite enjoyable because they invest a lot in education. The resources of the university are very sufficient," said Cheong.

Nevertheless, Chong said, "But I don't think it is a good place for living."