Monday, March 7, 2011

US exchange student missing in Spain

A San Diego State student Austin Bice went missing in Madrid, Spain just recently. He was last seen on February 26, 2011. He was an exchange student and only in Spain for about a month and a half so far. Bice was going to walk home from a club to where his apartment was. Bice did not have his wallet, passport or a winter coat because it was freezing. He was not aloud in the club because he looked ill and had been drinking a lot. How do you think the United States should deal with this issue. This happend before but he has been missing for a bit. But! the jurisdiction is in another country. But it is not like he is in Iraq or anything. I feel like this is like getting missing in a cruise ship on international waters. You are kind of screwed. Once you leave the United States the rules are a bit different.

What do you think the United States should or can do? And what are the policies?

5 comments:

Dan Fu said...

The United States probably should offer condolences, but shouldn't get involved too much unless absolutely necessary in order to respect the sovereignty of Spain.

This story is truly tragic, and hopefully the student will be found. However, why didn't he have a winter coat even though it was freezing? Exposure is a very harmful thing.

mgeorge said...

I don't think the United States can do much on this. They could send people over to investigate, but they would have to follow under Spain's orders. It would most likely be pointless. Hopefully, he will turn up.

mgeorge said...

The body was located this morning. He is dead. :(

ACatiggay said...

I agree with Daniel, the US can only do so much as be sympathetic and hope for the best. They can't really get involved forcefully since it is not within our border and is not within our interest to roughen things up with Spain. I do hope the student is found...but it definitely speaks to having to be really aware especially when alone in a totally new country because we don't have the same freedoms beyond our border!

ACatiggay said...

this is very disheartening...I didn't read until just now that the body was found...you need to have better judgment in such circumstances when not in the safety of the US!