Teachers and students often love to share stories about what they did on summer vacation upon their return to school, but with all of the mosquitoes and international mayhem, it seems that the more compelling question is, “What didn’t you do this summer?

The Zika Virus, originally discovered in Africa, recently migrated to South America and the U.S. and has caused international panic, especially amongst expectant mothers. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the main reason that Zika raises concerns is because the virus causes microcephaly, meaning that when affected babies are born, their heads are small, often resulting in brain damage and even death. Fear about Zika’s effects have spread beyond the very young, however. According to recent studies, the virus may even create symptoms akin to Alzheimer’s in adults.

Over the summer, the Rio Olympics were held in Brazil where Zika has been running rampant. This raised concerns about the safety of the Olympians. In fact, according to USA Today, several athletes, including renowned golfer Rory McIlroy, backed out as a result.

The virus’ threat has not gone unnoticed at Benjamin. The School sent out a letter to families from Dr. Anne Matese, Benjamin’s Medical Director, which stated facts about the virus, outlined ways to guard against mosquitos, and provided information about preventative measures being taken on both campuses. “We are very concerned about the Zika Virus at school,” stated Head of Middle School Mr. Charles Hagy.“The school is being aggressive – [the] maintenance [department] has been looking for still water about campus and spraying for mosquitos. According to Mr. Hagy, “We have even have been doing this over the summer in preparation for school. Even after it rains, we check for puddles.” However, despite the fact that Zika has migrated to South Florida, ignorance seems to be bliss for students who are new to the area. “When I moved down here [to attend the Benjamin School], I was not nervous because I really didn’t know what [Zika] was,” confessed Michael Valencis, a transplant from Connecticut.

Zika may have affected people in South America, but some parts of Europe had their own problems this summer, too. Nice, Paris, and Istanbul were targets of ISIS terrorist attacks that killed 85 people and injured 200 more, according to CNN. In addition, several countries, including Germany, France, and Belgium, were faced with the issue of allowing millions of Syrian refugees to cross their borders. The Syrians fled their homeland as a result of the ISIS-fueled civil war which continues to ravage their country.

Mrs. Franzen, the eighth-grade history teacher, traveled across Europe for her honeymoon this past summer, but didn’t let the violence across the pond slow her down. “I did not feel nervous for several reasons. Number one, I love travel and I refuse to let anything or anyone keep me from doing what I love. Two, we were ahead of the attacks in each location – we had left Turkey before the airport bombing and Nice before Bastille Day.”

Florida was not even immune from terrorism this summer as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, an ISIS sympathizer, opened fire in a gay nightclub in downtown Orlando on June 12. Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 more before he was shot and killed by Orlando police. “I was [in Orlando] celebrating my birthday,” said seventh grader Sadie Burns, “and we passed by the Pulse nightclub, and looking at it made me cry,”

Despite the mosquitoes and terrorist attacks, it seems that many members of the TBS community refused to let those issues stand in the way of their having fun and enjoying their summer.