By Valerie Jimenez
On May 17, 2024, two students participating in Pellissippi State Community College’s study abroad program experienced an accident while on a walk in Brazil. In a group composed of three students and a teacher, these students were taking part in a study abroad program with Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TnCIS), a program designed for colleges and universities interested in promoting international education and cultural understanding across Tennessee.
On this Brazilian trip, there were a total of 12 college students, eight of them from Pellissippi State Community College. According to Chris Walvemini at the WBIR news station, a group of three students were walking on a road near the ocean when a wave suddenly hit, and they were swept into the current.
Luckily, none of the students involved in the accident were injured, but the same cannot be said for Clifford Gordon, the teacher who was supervising the students on their walk. Tragically, Gordon was swept into the ocean by the wave and could not be recovered.
This accident gives students an understanding of the importance of having safety precautions in place, not only in our lives as students but in our daily lives as well. It serves as a reminder that we should take actions to be safe and aware of surroundings, no matter where we are. Although there is importance in experiencing new places, it’s important to not let excitement blind one to potential hazards.
The tragedy in Brazil highlights the importance of creating proper safety measures before traveling abroad. Experts recommend the following precautions: staying up to date on weather patterns, creating emergency contacts, and maintaining spacial and situational awareness at all times. When these measures are taken, we allow our trips and our lives to be as enjoyable as they are safe.
