Life for many Universitystudents has not quite been the same since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast Aug. 28 and 29. Many students have been affected by the hurricane's destruction and aftermath.
Fourth-year College student Jeff Claiborne, who is from New Orleans, is one such student.
"People don't realize the devastation of Katrina extends far beyond the day the hurricane hit the city," Claiborne said.
Residents of the Gulf Coast have been uprooted from their homes, separated from their loved ones and struck by the realization that they may have to start all over.
Another student from New Orleans, third- year College student Amir Shahien, said his family has temporarily moved to Charlottesville.
"We're not even sure about our house," Shahien said. "Our lives are changed forever. Of course there's sentimental value in returning to New Orleans, but we're also conflicted with the realization that there may be nothing left to go back to."
Shahien's parents currently are staying in a hotel in Charlottesville while they search for more permanent housing. His sister, a freshman in high school, will enroll in a local school.
"It's a scary feeling," Shahien said somberly. "While right now my family is being taken care of, the future is uncertain, and there is still a feeling of instability as to what comes next. People are out of homes, out of jobs. Even in our situation, we still consider ourselves very lucky."
Some students have not been so lucky in contacting their family and friends. With phone lines still down, communication has been close to impossible.
Third-year College student Darren Jones still has not been able to find his mother and 16-year-old brother.
"I check the Internet sites everyday and keep watching the news hoping to catch just a glimpse of my mom," Jones said, shaking his head. "I have no idea where they are. All I can do is wait and pray that they are alive."
Jones said he feels overwhelmed by the whole situation.
"I can't concentrate on work," Jones said. "I can't concentrate on anything. [Hurricane Katrina] is everywhere -- people talk about it in class, it's all over the television, the radio and the Internet. Every time I watch the news, I just cry. I feel so helpless and frustrated."
Hurricane Katrina not only affected Louisiana residents but people who had homes in Mississippi as well.
Although Claiborne was born and raised in New Orleans, he spent every summer at a vacation home in Bay St. Louis, Miss., another area hit by the forces of Hurricane Katrina.
"My home in New Orleans has five feet of water in it," said Claiborne. "From the horrendous reports from Bay St. Louis, we are predicting the summer house is gone altogether."
Claiborne's family currently is in Destin, Fla., where they are attempting to regain a sense of normalcy.
"My younger brother essentially knocked on the door at a high school in Destin and said, 'Will you educate me?'" Claiborne said. "It has been tough for him adjusting so quickly."
First-year Engineering student Robert Goggins is from Bay St. Louis. Much like the city of New Orleans, this smaller coastal town was devastated by the hurricane.
"A lot of people in my town died," Goggins said. "My neighbor was found dead in the ditch in her front yard. A girl I've gone to school with since I was four died in her house with her mom. In all, they're expecting around 800 dead from my town and the town next to us."
According to Goggins, only about a dozen houses in Bay St. Louis did not have water damage. He also said the local schools probably would not be able to start again for another year.
Many students said their families have been urgently looking for schools in which to enroll their younger children.
Just as the University opened its doors to college students from New Orleans, several elementary, secondary and high schools are following in suit. Episcopal School of Baton Rouge is one such school that has been inundated with enrollment requests in the past several days.
According to Head of School Deborah Kay Betts, Episcopal will accept a limited number of students into existing programs.
"To accommodate the many students for whom we will not have spaces in our regular programs, we are developing an adjunct program for students in grades six through 12," Betts said, adding that the program will consist of night classes held four days a week as well as an afternoon class on Saturday.
Besides having to find new schools and homes, students said Hurricane Katrina has left a lasting impression on their lives.
"A tragedy like Katrina forces you to put your life into perspective and assess what is important in your life," Claiborne said. "I am no longer thinking about some paper or party coming up, but I am wondering now where I will be for Thanksgiving and whether I will have all my family with me. Life has thrown a few curves at me, but I have always been able to fall back on my family and home for support."
Despite the devastation and losses many students have faced, they remain hopeful and grateful for what they do have.
"It's been a rough week, but I still feel blessed that my family is OK," Goggins said. "There are a lot of people who have a lot more to mourn than I do."
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