Written by Gina Cielo
UPDATE: Darby Miller returned to the United States on Friday, April 23. She was reunited with many family and friends.
Sophomore Darby Miller, who spent the spring semester at Harding University in Florence, Italy, has been stranded in London for about a week after a cloud of ash from an erupting Iceland volcano swept across the United Kingdom, canceling most flights to and from Europe.
Miller was enjoying free travel when the Iceland volcano, Eyjafjallajoekull, erupted April 15.Unlike other HUF students, Miller chose to free travel a couple days longer in order to visit family in London. However, what seemed like a short visit turned into much more.
“I was glad to get to spend the extra few days with some family here but was not thrilled when the few days turned into a week and a half,” Miller said.
Most European air traffic was grounded amid fear that particles in the ash cloud from the volcano could cause airplane engines to shut down.
Miller, who was originally scheduled to leave Monday, April 19, now has hopes of returning to America on Friday, April 23. She is one of many who are experiencing these delays.
According to BBC News, more than 150,000 Britons are stranded around the world, and an estimated seven million people have been affected by the crisis.
With so many people experiencing the same problem, Miller said people in London have come together to help those in need.
“Everyone is pulling together, and although they are of course frustrated, they know no one is to blame,” Miller said. “A lot of people have been sharing cabs and transportation to get across Europe, and the ferries and trains have been working extra hard to get people in and out of the UK.”
SKY News reported that the crisis has cost British airlines around 130 million pounds per day. Some small and mid-sized European airlines have risked bankruptcy to the loss of travel.
Miller said watching the news makes her a bit depressed, so she has tried to make the most of her time while stranded abroad. She has visited Wales, a country in Great Britain, and Brighton, a traditional Seaside town. She also plans on visiting the Windsor Castle, Oxford Street and Cambridge University.
While Miller is staying busy, she said she is ready to come home. After more than three months away from her family and friends, she said she cannot wait to be back in the states.
“This ordeal has been a learning experience and has been one where I’ve definitely learned a great deal of patience,” Miller said. “For the past six days there was nothing I could do but sit tight and pray for the best. I will be so glad to finally get home to see my family and friends. I was lucky unlike so many others to be stuck in a place that I had family to take care of me.”
