All UW-Madison students in Chile safe

UW-Madison has confirmed the safety of all of its students studying in Chile in the wake of the massive earthquake.

International Academic Programs has a total of 24 students in its program at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile in Santiago (12 UW–Madison undergraduate students; 12 University Michigan students), with three additional students studying elsewhere in Santiago with programs affiliated with the Wisconsin School of Business (1) and the College of Engineering (2).

As of 6:30 p.m., the safety and whereabouts of all students had been verified; nearly all were directly contacted by IAP. Communications have been complicated by power and cellular outages. In addition, UW–Madison is in touch with parents of students studying in Chile.

Although all program activities have been cancelled at the current time, students have been advised by the on-site program staff to avoid travel until further notice.

“Our thoughts go out to the people of Chile, as well as those coping with tsunami waves in Hawaii and in the South Pacific,” says Dean of Students Lori Berquam. “For the second time this semester, we are fortunate that our students are safe, despite being in harm’s way.”

UW-Madison currently has 26 Chilean students on campus during the Spring 2010 semester.

For more information visit:
http://www.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programs/program.asp?program_id=124