International student critical following crash

A 20-year-old international student is in critical condition following a hit-and-run crash in Bethany Beach.

Police said the student, who was living in Ocean View, was struck from behind and knocked to the ground by a black SUV, The crash occurred about 11:09 p.m. June 29 on the shoulder of Kent Avenue. The driver did not stop or slow down, police said.

The student, whose name was withheld by Delaware State Police until next of kin can be notified, was not wearing a helmet and did not have a light, although she did have appropriate reflectors, police said. She was transported to Beebe Healthcare where she was stabilized before being transported to Christiana Medical Center.

The incident marks the second time an international student was struck while cycling. Last year, 19-year-old Ukrainian student Nadiia Misa was struck while riding on Route 1 and died from her injuries. Maryanne Kauffman, chairwoman of the International Student Outreach Program, said two other students were hit riding their bikes on Route 1 last week; she said those students will be OK.

These crashes come despite efforts by the program, which held orientations for students in  June at Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach. The orientation instructed students about bicycle and personal safety, housing, hospital information, meals and emergency preparedness. Cyclist Bruce Kauffman, Maryanne’s husband, told the students at the June 15 orientation that they must have lights on their bikes when they ride at night. He said the program will provide lights for any student who needs them.

Irina Capaldi, employer relations manager for Chicago-based national sponsor CCI Greenheart, said the most important thing for students to do upon arrival is to know and stay connected with their sponsor. She encouraged the students to talk to the sponsor every month and consult them for any problems with work or housing.

“We want to know what kind of experience you are having. We want to know what kind of impact this is having on you personally,” Capaldi said.

In addition to traffic and travel problems, the international student experience in the Rehoboth Beach area is fraught with worries: where to live, where to work and how to navigate a strange country where you don’t speak the language or know the roads.

But at the end of the day, there’s no substitute for a day at the beach. That’s the case for Chinese students Ling Li, Han Son and Ha Na, who are living and working in the area this summer. The three students were among the about 50 who took part in the  June 15 orientation session

Earlier this summer the problem was not having enough affordable rooms for student. Maryanne Kauffman said the issue now is students reporting to be unhappy with their housing, either because it is overcrowded, unclean or in unsuitable locations for the students to get to their jobs.

Ling, a student from China’s Sichuan province, said at first she had difficulty finding a house; it took about two months before she arrived to find a place to live. Ling has been in the United States for a little over two weeks working at the Sea Shell Shop on Route 1.

“The people here are very nice. It’s safe,” she said.

Han and Ha, who arrived in America in early June, said they had no problem finding housing. Han said the Rehoboth area was very clean and comfortable.

“In China, it’s more crowded and more noisy,” he said.