In response to the attacks in Paris, the university’s Year Abroad (YA) policies have come under the spotlight. At the time of the attacks there were 41 Cambridge MML students living in or close to Paris, all of whom were confirmed to be safe within 24 hours.

France, the UK, Belgium and Spain all have a 4 rating for terror risk, indicating the “high” likelihood of an attack, alongside Libya, Somalia, Pakistan and Iraq. The United States is given a 3 rating, Ireland 2, and countries such as Japan, Switzerland and both North and South Korea are given 1. Speaking in October this year, the Director General of MI5, Andrew Parker, claimed that the terror threat was the “highest [he had] ever seen”.

It is not the first time that Cambridge students abroad have been caught up in international incidents, with the previous cohort of students in Paris making contact with the university after the Charlie Hebdo shootings in January. A group of students near Santiago, Chile, were affected by the 2010 earthquake. International terrorism, natural disasters, illness or any difficulty that may arise to impede the completion of a year abroad are all dealt with through the same university procedure, which includes help to relocate students if they ask for it, and the offer of assistance when any student has concerns or is distressed.

Speaking to Varsity, a university spokesman on behalf of MML explained that the standard procedure for any such incident was followed in response to the attacks in Paris: “On hearing the news of the terrorist attacks the Year Office contacted them by e-mail; within 24 hours we were able to confirm that all were safe.

“If we had not heard from any students we would then have started trying to contact them on their mobile phones; we keep a list of their numbers for this purpose. All students were given the mobile telephone number and home telephone number of the Director of Year Abroad Studies and advised that they might ring him at any time over the weekend if they had any concerns or simply wished to talk. [...] A follow-up email was sent to all students on Monday encouraging them to be in touch at any time if they wished.”

In response to questions about whether the university would review procedures in light of the attacks, the spokesman said: “The procedure that was followed has been employed before. We see no reason to change it at present. We do, of course, keep our procedures and our safety advice under constant review.

“The threat of terrorism is currently high throughout Europe, including the UK. Like all members of the public, students should remain alert and heed the advice given by the relevant local or national authorities.

“Above all, in the event of an incident, they should, if possible, make contact with their families and with the MML Year Abroad Office. Making contact with other Cambridge students they know to be in the vicinity is also a good idea; many students do this anyway and we know that happened in Paris on Friday night and Saturday. The Faculty’s prime concern regarding its Year Abroad students is, of course, their safety and welfare at all times.”

As part of a YA application, students must submit a “Self Risk Assessment Form”, in which Crime, Terrorism, Civil Unrest, Health, Accommodation, Travel, and Environmental Risks are all considered. However, Professor Joachim Whaley, Director of YA Studies, explains that “The completion of a risk assessment form is not normally required for those intending to spend a Year Abroad in the EU. The absence of a risk assessment does not in any way affect our ability to contact students.

“Terrorism is now a pretty well ubiquitous threat in the EU, including the UK. There is therefore no need for the Faculty to revise its policies in this respect.”