Kristy Wallin's home transformed last month into an atmosphere where it was normal to sprint to your car, dread pumping gas and walk only in areas well-shielded from a possible sniper.
The 2001 MSU graduate came to Washington, D.C., in August 2001 as an NBC intern with 24 other students in MSU's Semester Study Program. She decided to remain in the city after she graduated in December.
The nation's capital has seen it's share of trouble in recent years including the disappearance of congressional intern Chandra Levy, anthrax scares and tense post-terrorism times. But since the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and the sniper attacks, the capital city feels more like a war zone, Wallin said.
"Everyone is always on the lookout," she said. "Every big truck gets searched when entering the city, and planes are always flying above us. My roommate was even pumping gas while hiding under her car."
About 15 to 25 students per semester travel to Washington to study and intern through the College of Social Science. That number dwindled to 10 students in the program this semester.
Joel Clark, director of the study program in Washington, said the students took the sniper scare in stride.
"This hasn't changed them from doing what they are here to do," he said. "The area is out of the ordinary because of 9-11. It's been uncharacteristic of the city and that has raised the stress levels. But at the same time the students have shown great resilience."
Clark said that while everyone is vulnerable he's never had a student leave his program.
Long-term Washington resident Howard Gobstein, associate vice president for governmental affairs of MSU's Washington office, said no extra precautions have been taken on the university's part.
"At the beginning of the semester we have a D.C. police officer give hints on how it's different to live in Washington as opposed to East Lansing," he said. "He informs the students about taking cabs and walking with a group."
International relations senior Austin Carson said that gap became very real for him during the sniper attacks.
"D.C. is so radically different from East Lansing," said the Center for Strategic and International Studies intern. "It's a little bit scary. It makes you wonder what's going on next and hope that it won't be any worse than before."
Carson, who works with nuclear weapons issues and terrorism prevention programs for his internship, said he tried not to think of the situation because it was something he couldn't control.
"My girlfriend would mention the sniper as a joke when we'd talk on the phone," he said. "But you could tell it wasn't. She was being serious."
But Carson said aside from being slightly more watchful, the sniper scare didn't affect his life and he intends to stay in the capital for a few years after he graduates in December.
"It isn't as safe as East Lansing here, but if you look at the context of what you can do here it's worth it," he said.
Political theory sophomore Richard Fierens said he won't let the events affect his decision to travel to Washington.
"It's such an isolated incident," he said. "The odds are greater of being hit by a car than being shot. It's ridiculous."
Wallin said she believes the city is still safe and filled with opportunities for MSU students.
"What better place to be than by the capital because they are taking so many precautions to protect us," she said. "I love it down here.It's a great place and I think everyone should come."
Kendra Snyder can be reached at snyderk6@msu.edu.
