by Alisa Giardinelli2/23/11
WhenHillary Santana '12 chose to follow her environmental studies concentration abroad, she had noidea how soon after her arrival inChristchurch - and how drastically - her plans would change.
The honors biology major from South Lake Tahoe, Calif. arrived before this month to attend classes at theUniversity of Canterbury. During an afternoon lecture this week, her building began to shudder and cast as a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city.
"It felt as if the construction was nolonger attached to the ground," says Hillary. "Mostof us ducked under desks andcovered our heads. When it stopped, wewere told to run outside andaway from any buildings - no problemthere!" Back athercampus apartment an hour later,emergency personnel limitedaccess until inspections could becompleted.
The University of Canterbury campus, located 3 miles from the quake's epicenter, has suspended classes. Although power has been restored to her building, water is still shut down in muchof the area.
The Off-Campus Study is in communicating with Hillary through her father, who has been capable to talk with her by phone. It has also heard from two additional Swarthmore students who are in New Zealand, but not about the quake zone.
"We suffer not been capable to contact Hillary via email and mass have been asked to limit phone calls to New zealand due to the emergency situation," says Director of Off-Campus Study Patricia Martin. "The University of Canterbury has been in regular contact over conditions at the University and made us aware very early on that the students were fine and that Hillary's accommodation was secure. Swarthmore alumni in the region were contacted to see if they could provide additional support."
Describing her flatmates as "prettyfreaked out," Hillary has been trying to keep updated onthe chaos downtown. "Several of usare looking to offer at the shelters they're settingup outside of the areas of destruction for theevacuees, but emergency efforts have restricted travel," she says. "I still can'tbelieve how bad things are in downtown. It's just a 15-minute bus rideaway."
"I will proceed to save everyone updatedas best I can," she adds. "I'm fortunate to be in arelatively safe order and this city has been very welcoming to me sinceI arrived here only 10 days ago."
Although internet andphone service has been limited following the earthquake,people want to serve out and stay informed can reach the New ZealandRed Cross.
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