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Forest Hills HS senior prepares for college in UK amid terror attacks WSOC TV

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Forest Hills High School senior Drew Tucker knew he wanted to head overseas for his college experience.

When he received his acceptance letter from the University of Kent in Bath, it was a proud moment.

“It was a big sigh of relief cause I didn’t put much faith into applying to colleges in the U.S. I had my mind on heading to England,” Tucker said.

But after seeing three terror attacks in just the past month in the United Kingdom, it has caused some concern for him and his family. Even so, he said it won’t stop him from going.

[RELATED: Authorities name 2 London Bridge attackers, trying to ID 3rd suspect]

“You don’t expect these things to happen in such a short increment of time,” Tucker said. “It’s definitely very eye-opening. I’m trying to still hold onto that, you know, adventurous, wanderlust that I have toward going.”

Travel consultant Candy Geiler said most of her clients are like Tucker and are not afraid to continue their travels - but they’re being extra cautious.

“I always say don’t use public transportation, it’s just an easy target, trains, anywhere they can make a statement for a lot of people,” Geiler said.

Geiler also recommended checking in with the U.S. Embassy, no matter where you go.

Tucker said he is determined to not let fear overtake the excitement of starting college.

“I’m trying to stay confident about it because those things can happen any place, anytime,” Geiler said.

The State Department issued a travel alert for Americans traveling to Europe on May 1 before the most recent attack even happened.

[ALERT: State Department travel alert to Europe]

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