As the reality of the day slowly set in, people around the globe struggled to continue with their normal activities. Just as they did at the University, classes around the globe continued. "Life in Spain momentarily paused, but it did not come to a complete stop," Diana said.
Catherine Jones, a senior history and Spanish major from Chicago, also experienced the tragedy from an outside perspective while studying in Spain.
Like many, she instantly contacted her family. Both her father and her sister worked in downtown Chicago and she worried about their safety.
The same confusion and anxiety about future attacks that crossed the minds of many Americans had also crossed the Atlantic.
"It was probably a couple of weeks before I settled down and felt comfortable staying in Spain," Jones said.
Officials in the UNC Study Abroad Office did their best to ease students' feelings of apprehension. "They offered as much support as they could," Diana said. Students had the opportunity to discuss their fears with a counselor, and Diana said a guest came to one of her classes to speak about Islam.
E-mails from UNC Study Abroad Program Director Robert Miles warned the students not to travel and to guard their identity as Americans.
At a time when patriotism was at its highest in the United States, Jones said she felt the need to downplay the fact that she was American.
Still, Diana said she felt safer in Sevilla, Spain, than she would have felt if she were at home. America was under attack, not Spain. Diana said that because her appearance did not reveal her nationality, she did not feel she was a target for aggression.
Most people who discovered Diana was American offered condolences. "It was good to know that most of the world supported us," Diana said. Jones echoed this feeling. "We were more embraced than we were threatened," she said.
Before returning to the United States, the students had a re-entry preparation meeting where they discussed the changes at home.
The patriotic flag displays and increased airport security were popular topics of conversation.
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Jones said her mother's description of the new patriotism prepared her for what she saw when she returned.
Neither she nor Diana were shocked. "I thought everything would be different," Diana said. "Obviously seeing all the flags everywhere was different, and airport security was grueling."
But, she added that the changes were not as drastic as she expected.
These travelers say they, like other members of their generation, will never forget the events or the effects of Sept. 11. But Jones said her experience of the tragedy was worlds away from the average American's.
She said, "I felt fortunate in a way, like I had a unique story to tell."
The Features Editor can be reached features@unc.edu.
