For most people in Michiana, the earthquake that shook China Monday was sad, but far removed.

But for some, it was personal.

Goshen College students and faculty have been traveling to and studying in China since 1980. Their university is in a city called Chengdu, about 60 miles from the earthquake's epicenter.

"I have an image of homes, of apartments, of universities, of places where people live, work, go about their daily life," says Tom Meyers, who heads the school's international study programs. "I imagine when I see pictures on television or on the internet what they might be experiencing."

As soon as news of the earthquake reached Goshen, Meyers emailed his friends and peers to make sure they are okay. So far, they are.

"Your first concern is for the human beings that you know. Are they safe? Are their families safe? How are they doing? So I started writing emails to people and have gotten some responses saying we're fine, my family's fine."

In exchange, 158 students from Chengdu have studied at Goshen College over the years. Yicong Li, a junior, is one of them.

"My friends was describing there was a shake. There was a shake all of a sudden...right away," Li tells us. "It's really shock and I feel bad for those people."

As far as he knows, all of Yicong's family and friends are unharmed. A former Goshen College faculty member was in the country, but Meyers tells us he is safe as well. No Goshen College students are in China now, but a trip is planned for August.