It’s been nearly a month since Islamic extremists carried out attacks in Paris, murdering Jewish shoppers at a kosher supermarket and staff at the Charlie Hedbo satirical publication.

In all, 17 people were fatally wounded in retaliation for cartoons lampooning the Prophet Muhammad, and repercussions of the event are still unfolding in that part of the world.

For many Wichitans, France seems like a world away, and some individuals at Wichita State seem to be more concerned with the attack on the principle of free speech than the loss of life.

“People here don’t seem to be terribly worried,” said Gail Burkett, lecturer in French and undergraduate coordinator for the WSU’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. “Many people see the Paris attacks as part of life in modern-day times. Some are concerned, but no more than normal. There’s really nothing you can do about it.”

Burkett advises students in her department, and said she helps those who are preparing to study abroad with the process. As with other times of trouble, she said, people do ask if it’s safe to travel when something happens like the attacks in Paris, but for Wichita, it’s business as usual.

“Wichita just doesn’t have many ties to Paris,” she said.

WSU sophomore Shawn Diemart is studying history and philosophy and plans to study abroad in the future. He said he’s not really concerned with terrorist events, either. Places where unrest is the norm is of more concern to him.

“I know that as an American abroad, there are places I’d have to take special precautions,” Diemart said, “and that would concern me more than random acts of violence in a place like France. I would love to go to Egypt, but right now’s probably not the best time for an American to travel there.”

Although the perception is that events in Paris don’t have much impact in Kansas, there are historic connections between Wichita and one French city most people are unaware of.

Following the occupation of France by German forces in WWII, a regiment of infantry from Kansas liberated the city of Orléans. Since 1944, Wichita and Orléans have strengthened their ties, and in 1973 they declared themselves “sister cities.” The University of Orléans even has a replica of the Keeper of the Plains statue near its campus in honor of the city’s American partner.

For more than 30 years, WSU has been in partnership with the University of Orléans, allowing WSU students studying French the option of a four-week summer exchange or a semester or academic year program. Additionally, WSU’s Office of International Education has many more options for foreign exchange and study abroad programs.

The bottom line is that random violence can happen anywhere — even in Wichita.

“Had it happened in Orléans, there would have been more reaction here,” Burkett said. “Most people here don’t stop to realize that this was France’s 9/11, and it might really change that country. I hope it doesn’t.”