Morning broke with a rush of calls and messages, and a young student learned that a terrible quake had struck far from home yet touched many lives. Claudia Senón, a 21-year-old Audiovisual Communication student, studied in Valencia and kept pace with the news as the magnitude 7.8 earthquake unfolded, its epicenter hundreds of kilometers away from the Syrian border. The tremor left a path of destruction that claimed thousands of lives and injured tens of thousands across Turkey and Syria.
Claudia woke to the realization that the events reaching her phone were not distant rumors but a sobering reality. The quake occurred in the early hours, far from where she slept, yet her family worried intensely for hours because they had just learned she had visited that same region recently. The anxiety of separation met the stark fear of danger in equal measure, a reminder of how quickly distant events can feel close to home.
Maria Jose Valdivieso, a 23-year-old Fine Arts student, was also studying at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The earthquake had a dual effect, drawing attention to the crisis while bringing it closer to home. Having completed Erasmus studies in Turkey, she decided to spend a few days in Istanbul before returning to Valencia. The experience underscored how interconnected students can be, traveling between cultures and countries while sharing in a common moment of upheaval.
Early on Monday morning, as most people slept, the hostel owner knocked on doors to evacuate. The message was simple and urgent: come down to the street because this is a serious emergency. Valdivieso donned a jacket over her pajamas and stepped into a frigid Istanbul morning, with snow dusting the city and volunteers gathering to lend a hand to those in need. The scene was chaotic yet hopeful, a testament to communal resilience in the face of fear.
At first, confusion reigned. The occupants learned that the shaking was a distant earthquake and that what they were experiencing could be part of a drill in case of an aftershock in Istanbul. The staff and guests quickly moved to safety, and the reality of the catastrophe sank in for many who watched the news unfold across screens and phones. Some struggled to believe the scale of the disaster, while others steadied themselves with the knowledge that aid would begin to flow as the day progressed.
For those with Erasmus connections in Turkey, the news carried a heavier weight. The initial reaction was a mix of disbelief and concern, as the extent of the damage became clear. The magnitude of the quake was described as enormous, testing the limits of local and regional preparedness and drawing attention from around the world as families, friends, and colleagues searched for updates.
A group of Valencian firefighters found themselves deployed to Turkey on this Tuesday, continuing a mission of support that stretched across borders. The image of dedicated responders moving through unfamiliar terrain illustrated the power of solidarity in times of crisis, a reminder that aid can come from many places and that communities stand together when disaster strikes.
Volunteers in Every Street
Senon conveyed a sense of shared sorrow and shock across the country, noting the overwhelming sadness that accompanied the event. Even for those who did not feel the tremor, the news created a heavy atmosphere as people turned to social media for the latest updates and to check in on loved ones—an everyday reality in the age of instant information.
The response from the public was immediate. Friends and colleagues signed up at volunteer points, carrying blankets and essentials, and doing whatever they could to ease the immediate needs of those affected. In one neighborhood near Ankara, residents focused intently on the tragedy, organizing logistics, guiding people to safety, and coordinating efforts to transport supplies into affected areas. The human energy behind these actions showed a communal resolve to help rebuild lives amid the chaos.
One of the first things Claudia saw on her phone was a message from Valencia Polytechnic University confirming that four students studying in Turkey were safe and out of danger. The university’s outreach—still in its early hours after the quake—provided reassurance and demonstrated how institutions can play a vital role in the well-being of their students abroad. The sense of connection between the campus and its students became a critical lifeline in a moment of uncertainty.
In the days that followed, the news drew many back to Valencia, where students, staff, and families kept the conversation alive through continuous updates and mutual support. The region shared in the relief efforts, joining together to ensure that those in Turkey and Syria had access to food, shelter, and medical care as rescue teams continued to scour ruins for survivors and to assess ongoing needs.
Valdivieso returned to Valencia the day after the quake, a journey that underscored the fragile balance between anticipation and relief. She had feared flight cancellations that can plague travelers after such events, yet she managed to depart safely, grateful for the chance to be reunited with loved ones and to begin the process of recovery. The experience left her with enduring connections in Turkey and a deeper appreciation for the communities rallied by friends, colleagues, and volunteers who refused to stand by while others suffered.
The aftermath revealed a continent-wide commitment to aiding those affected. Friends and acquaintances in Turkey voiced ongoing support, revealing the personal toll of the catastrophe and the ways in which communities around the world step forward to help families and neighborhoods when disaster strikes. The consequences were severe, with many lives disrupted and countless more left vulnerable in the days and weeks that followed, reminding everyone that relief work requires patience, coordination, and enduring compassion.