While most University students seemed out of immediate danger during yesterday's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 15 Penn political science students spending their semester studying and working in Washington were much closer to the tragedy.
Yesterday, the nation's capital came under attack when a hijacked jet plunged into the side of the Pentagon, setting the center of American military defense ablaze.
Though none of the students enrolled in the Washington Semester program were working in or near the Pentagon around 9:45 a.m., the time of the attack, many students were just arriving at their jobs in and around Capitol Hill.
"At first, I didn't know what was going on," said Helen Kim, a College junior who works about three blocks from the White House. When she stepped outside, the gravity of the situation became clearer.
"I saw a huge cloud of smoke and got scared," she said.
The Washington Semester program allows Penn students to spend time in the nation's capital, gaining first-hand political experience while taking courses taught by Penn faculty.
Several students proceeded to work after hearing about the attack in New York, later finding out that the Pentagon suffered a similar strike during their commute.
"We had heard about the World Trade Center, but kind of kept going, because that's New York and this is D.C.," College junior Miya Rahamin said.
However, following news of the Pentagon attack, buildings were soon evacuated and students were sent home. Many students walked because public transportation had been closed.
"The only way I made it home without sort of freaking out about it was to try to let the adrenaline get me home, otherwise I would've panicked," College junior Kirk Freeman said. "I was surprised more people weren't panicking."
Students described the atmosphere in Washington as eerily calm.
"I could hear ambulances, and the F-16s overhead patrolling, and there were a lot of people in the streets," College junior Kelly Lynch said. "But coming home from work, it was pretty quiet."
Kathryn Tenpas, a Penn professor and the Washington Semester's assistant director, sent an e-mail to all 15 students yesterday afternoon asking them to check in.
All students in the program were safe and accounted for by early last night.
Jack Nagel, the program's director and chairman of the Political Science Department, said he did not think formal counseling services would be set up unless "we find some kids in the program were directly affected in that they had personal losses or had been near the Pentagon."
Some students expressed frustration at the lack of counseling services available, but felt it wasn't the fault of Penn but of Boston University, which manages the facilities where the students are housed.
"We're just trying to support each other," College junior Lauren DellaCava said.
Students did not expect to report to their jobs today, and were not sure if classes would resume as scheduled tomorrow.
"We don't know how things are going to unravel yet," Tenpas said. "Everyone's sort of in a holding pattern waiting for things to unfold."
Nagel said that although there is concern for students' safety, "I don't think the building where they are is any target. They're as secure as anybody else in Washington, and hopefully, we won't see any more attacks."
Students spent the day in Washington, as did millions across the nation, tracking the shocking events on television.
"Throughout the day, there have been people gathering in each others' apartments -- four or five people gathering around the TV, just talking," College junior Michael Fleischer said.
Students also made efforts to contact family and friends, though difficulties with phone lines delayed communication.
"The circuits were all busy," Freeman explained. He said he was especially concerned because his mother lives in Manhattan and his father often travels. After several hours, he finally was able to confirm that his family was safe.
Those in Washington expressed disbelief, shock and fear.
"It's like watching a movie," DellaCava said. "We all kind of feel like this isn't happening, even though it's happening 20 blocks from us."
