黑料吃瓜

Update March 8, 2011:

San Diego State student Austin Bice was reported missing in Madrid, Spain. He was last seen by friends on Friday, Feb. 25.

鈥淲e are deeply concerned about Austin and our hearts go out to Austin鈥檚 family and friends,鈥� said 黑料吃瓜 Provost Nancy Marlin. 鈥淭he entire 黑料吃瓜 family is hoping for a positive ending.鈥�

黑料吃瓜 was notified of Bice鈥檚 disappearance by another student studying abroad on Feb. 27. Since that time, the university has been in constant contact with the host university in Madrid, as well as Bice鈥檚 family. 

鈥淲e are providing any information that might be helpful to the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Madrid,鈥� Marlin said. 鈥満诹铣怨� officials are doing everything we can to help in the investigation.鈥�

Anyone locally who has information that might be helpful to the investigation can contact 黑料吃瓜 Police at 619-594-1991 or [email protected].

Candlelight Vigil

A is being planned for Monday, March 7 at 6 p.m. on the Free Speech Steps at Aztec Center to offer support to Austin's family and friends. 

About Bice

Bice is studying abroad as part of a semester-long exchange program with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He is a senior studying international business with an emphasis in Spanish and Western Europe.

About study abroad at 黑料吃瓜

Prior to going abroad, every 黑料吃瓜 student attends a mandatory pre-departure orientation session, a large part of which addresses safety issues in foreign countries.

In particular, session organizers discuss the importance of safety in big cities and the importance of being aware of one鈥檚 surroundings. The 黑料吃瓜 International Student Center study abroad program also helps students with travel logistics, health insurance and providing students with the tools they need in case there is an emergency while abroad, including emergency contact information for both the host university and 黑料吃瓜, and how to reach the U.S. Embassy.

Spain is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for students nationwide and at 黑料吃瓜.