AUP Stands Together During Tragic Times in Paris
After Friday's tragic attack in Paris, students were left feeling a mix of emotions ranging from fear and sadness to pride for the city they call home. While Parisians have honored the city with hashtags such as #JeSuisEnTerrace and #TousAuBistro (encouraging people to continue visiting cafés, going to concerts, and living the Parisian lifestyle), AUP students and faculty came together to plan an event that would allow the University's community to mourn for those who's lives were lost.
Professors Albert Wu and Michelle Kuo were instrumental in the planing of this event and described the inspiration behind organizing this vigil with students.
Students creating origami cranes for the University's mural. Photo Credit: Bobby Caruso
There were three rooms at the event, a "Discussion Room" with light refreshments were you saw students locked in warm embraces, President Schenck speaking with students about this difficult time, and other AUP community members discussing their reactions and emotions following Friday's attacks. Another room was dedicated to creating origami mementos and cards to leave in a mural that will remember victims of terrorism across the globe.
"We just thought there should be this event where the community showed a sense of solidarity, not only with each other but with the events that happened," said Wu. "We both went through 9/11 when we were undergrads and we just thought 'How did the University respond at that moment' and it was one of my strongest visceral memories were these interfaith services people made and brought the whole community together."
As a reminder to the AUP Community, there are counseling facilities at La Tour-Mauborg and on the 4th Floor of Combes through Saturday and additional support available by emailing Student Affairs at affairs@aup.edu.
