On Thursday 14th July, Nice suffered an attack during Bastille Day celebrations. A truck drove into a crowd of people on the Paisage Anglais killing 84 people, including 10 children and injuring 300 more. (a full news story on the BBC can be found here). At this time, it unknown whether or not the attack was carried out by ISIS, but it is believed that the driver was a supporter of the terrorist group. The driver was shot dead at the wheel by police.
I have had numerous friends and family ask me if I am still planning on travelling to the city. This made me sit and think about my travels, and reflect on what this would mean for me and for my family. I have come to this outcome:
Although terribly shocking and such a tragedy. I will not let what has happened in Nice alter my wishes to study in this magnificent city. Being quite a head-strong person, I have decided to try and look at the situation in this way; ‘I cannot live my life in my house for fear that something may happen while I am out. I could fall onto the road by accident and be hit by a vehicle. Touch wood that it never happens, but my home city, Edinburgh could fall under attack! The same thing may happen on my back doorstep’. Having spoken with my parents, we agreed that; at this present time, security will more than likely be at its tightest, therefore, it is probably very safe within the city. Although we have no idea what the attackers are planning, it is unlikely that they will target the same city again. It would be silly of me to withdraw my study abroad semester and change my degree to a single honours course.
Having taken all of these into consideration, I have decided that I will still be travelling and spending 4 months in Nice. It is such a lovely city, and my thoughts go out to all of those involved in the attack in Nice and in all of the other cities that have suffered.
nowaisha 