Parenting is hard. Children of all ages run into problems and challenges around every turn. Whether their kids are struggling with a hula hoop or a driver's test, parents have to decide when to step in and help, and when to let their child struggle toward their own solution. It's not always clear or intuitive how to respond. It's fairly easy for caring and well-meaning parents to become overly involved or even controlling of their child, beyond what is developmentally appropriate.
My inner mom voice was screaming, "Do not go! Nowhere in this world is safe, ever." While I was mentally panicking, I knew I needed to do what I've always done with my kids, and that was to portray an outward sense of calmness and confidence in her ability to make the decision. I encouraged her to reach out to her professor and classmates, and texted, "Do whatever you think is right, love."