SYRACUSE -- Cornell student Carolyn Witte was studying in Alexandria, Egypt this semester. As recently as a few days ago she she was exploring the Egyptian nightlife and culture but by Sunday she was stranded in an airport, waiting to be evacuated from a country she says is now dominated by protests, military forces and looters. Witte was able to speak about the experience to The Huffington Post.
"It's a struggle to communicate because there is no internet, cell phones are down, there are no landlines really working and we're pretty much left alone with no protection whatsoever. So that's extremely frightening and scary. At this point we just feel very helpless," said Witte.
Witte told The Huffington Post that she and 35 other students no longer felt safe in their dormitory and are worried about the safety of their Egyptian friends.
"We are left surrounded by gunshots, literally hiding from the windows, having no security, makeshift militias outside, old men trying to protect us from prisoners let loose in Alexandria with guns now and looting," said Witte.
Cornell University's Vice President of Communications gave a statement to CNY Central that said "Cornell University is aware of the situation and the university is taking appropriate action on behalf of the students involved."
Four Syracuse University students are in Cairo, Egypt right now. The Director of S.U.'s Study Abroad program says he has spoken with three of the four and that they are safe.
"Two of them have been in the residence hall of American University of Cairo and that has had guards and it's on an island with bridges that have been sealed up," said Jon Booth from Syracuse University.
Booth says all four Syracuse University students are in line to be flown out of Cairo. Three of the four may go to Istanbul for the remainder of the semester.
For updated information on the four SU students in Egypt click here.
