Paris was the site of a terrorist attack Friday, Nov. 20.

No University of Maryland students studying abroad were harmed in Friday night’s terrorist attacks in Paris, and the university’s Education Abroad office does not plan to make any changes to its programs for the winter and spring terms.

The series of attacks, which ISIS claimed responsibility for, occurred in Paris and its northern suburb of Saint-Denis, with mass shootings and suicide bombings that killed 129 people.

Although this university does not offer a program for students in Paris, there is a Maryland-in-Nice study-abroad option. There are currently 11 students studying in France and one specifically in Paris, Education Abroad Executive Director Moira Rogers said. The one student in Paris registered through the Institute for the International Education of Students, an outside organization.

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“France has never been considered a dangerous location,” Rogers said. “The University of Maryland will carry out all study-abroad programs during winter, spring break and spring terms, as planned. There is no need to change anything because of what happened.”

Students studying in Western Europe typically travel to Paris on the weekends, Rogers said, but the university was able to stop two students who were preparing to board a train from London to Paris.

Immediately following the attacks, the Education Abroad office directly contacted every student studying in France and their parents, Rogers said. In an email sent to all students abroad, the office recommended staying “abreast of current political and social issues reported in the media,” dressing and behaving “as inconspicuously as possible” and avoiding “American logos on your clothing and property.”

When news of the attack broke, Rogers said, Education Abroad relied on information provided by the U.S. State Department to determine the best way to keep students safe.

In an email sent to students, faculty and staff Monday night, university President Wallace Loh wrote that the university’s Office of International Affairs would also reach out to students abroad.

“Our Office of International Affairs is attempting to contact all University students, faculty, and staff who are now in Paris to offer them any assistance they may need,” Loh wrote. “In an institution of higher learning, we believe that free and open discourse can promote better understanding among people of different races, religions, and backgrounds.”

Junior French and government and politics major Patrick Cochran, who is studying abroad in Nice,  said he has seen an increased military presence where he is studying, which is about five and a half hours from Paris by train.

“There’s increased military presence, but that doesn’t really interrupt anyone’s day,” Cochran said. “Universities in Paris are open, as are all the museums and monuments except for the Eiffel Tower. Public transit is operating.”

He said the attacks will not stop him from visiting Paris, and that he would have traveled to Nice “even if it was after the attacks took place.”

“Changing your plans, changing your daily life and just letting yourself be afraid generally is giving the terrorists what they want, and I’m determined not to do that,” Cochran said. “In fact, I’m going to Paris in a couple weekends. I’ve never been, and I really want to see the city. Terrorists aren’t going to ruin that for me.”

Rogers said Education Abroad will create specific presentations aimed at enhancing awareness for both students and parents but will not change the way it operates.

“We are moving forward as usual,” Rogers said. “We want to keep things as normal as possible.”