Even now, Philip Handrick says he becomes emotional when he thinks about London's response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

During the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace — an event that follows a set routine — something was different. British guards played "The Star-Spangled Banner" as a salute.

"There was a real outpouring of support," said Handrick, the acting director for MSU's Canadian Studies Centre.

"I still get choked up about it."

The nod to America and those who had perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center came less than four months before Handrick left the United States to lead a study abroad program in London.

Since the United States became involved in Afghanistan and Iraq, however, that strong unity that once touched Handrick disappeared as more Britons became divided over America's public policy. Whatever sympathy the British may have had for Americans directly after Sept. 11 is now gone, he said.

The first post-Sept. 11 study abroad trip Handrick participated in left for Europe in January 2002. During the trip, Handrick noticed that MSU students, with their youthful exuberance, did not seem frightened about another possible terrorist attack, he said.

Once in London, Handrick and his students saw some effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the airports and the House of Parliament where concrete barriers appeared.

"I was stunned to walk into Heathrow (Airport) and see guards with automatic weapons strapped to their chests," Handrick said.

But what hit the study abroad program hardest were the terrorist attacks in London more than three years later in July 2005.

"We tend to focus on 9/11. For them, July 7 is a watershed," Handrick said.

Now, parents and students are more concerned that terrorists could once again target London, he said. The stress mounts as Handrick realizes parents have entrusted their children to MSU's study abroad program.

Other times, the burden of being in charge of up to 36 students far from home has lightened.

Since the London terrorist attacks, leaders from all the programs are required to attend a meeting to develop a plan of action in case of an emergency, Handrick said. The meeting is thorough, helping them plan better where students should go or who they need to call if a problem arises.

"There was a fair amount of confusion after July 7," Handrick said. Now, he said "they walk you through everything you need to know."