Violent fires swept across the state of Victoria in southern Australia killing 200 people. Beginning on Feb. 7, authorities reported the fires to be the largest in the nation's history and rescue units continue to clean up the mess, discovering more dead bodies.

As this tragedy struck southern Australia, Sacred Heart University students arrived to study abroad. Located in a different part of the country, they were unharmed by the fires.

Marylou Roof, the coordinator of the study abroad program, says that the fires have not affected the program, and students may still turn in applications for future terms. Being a scary time for Australia, she does not know if the fires will discourage students from signing up for future semesters.

"They are studying at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle which is near Perth in Western Australia," said Roof. "Fortunately, they are not near the site of the fires which I understand is in and around Melbourne in the southern state of Victoria."

Having just arrived in Australia, students entered a chaotic state for the country. Even though they were not directly harmed by the fires, some students still shared the sadness and apprehension that has spread throughout Australia.

"I was here while everything was going on with the fires. Luckily I wasn't anywhere near them or my family. It was still pretty scary," said junior Nicole Pepin.

As one of the few who were not affected, many report to be facing hard times.

According to the Boston Globe, "The tally of homes destroyed in the wave of wildfires that swept Victoria state a week ago jumped to more than 1,800. The Victorian government also raised the number of people left homeless, to 7,000."

Although many Australians remain unscathed, many of them now carry other burdens. MSNBC states that "These survivors are now living in tents, caravans, borrowed houses or with friends and family. They want to go home."

Those who were able to help have begun to take action.

"I was most impressed about was how every Australian seemed to be donating to the cause. Every store was collecting money for the victims and was extremely concerned about the people. It was amazing to see the Australians pull together so well," said Pepin.

Knowing people are left homeless, rescue crews continue to work hard to speed up the rebuilding process.

According to MSNBC, "The process of rebuilding lost homes is unlikely to begin for months and will take many years, but survivors want to feel that the process is moving forward and they need tools to help clear the rubble from their land and sift through the wreckage."

To help the cause, many local charities have donated considerable amounts to speed up the process.

MSNBC states "the nation had pledged more than 75 million Australian dollars ($50 million) in donations to various charities for survivors. Rudd ordered military bases to be opened to house some of the homeless".

As a traumatic event, the news of Australia's suffering has spread around the world.

"The Australians were all surprised when I told them that the Americans were concerned. They didn't think the world would even have heard about them to that extent," said Pepin.

Reaching a record-breaking heat wave, some of the fires occurred naturally; however, the other fires were found to have been set intentionally. Recently arrested for starting one of the larger fires, Brendan Sokaluk is the first to be accused of arson.

According to the New York Times, he has been convicted "of setting a fire near Churchill, in the Gippsland region east of Melbourne, that killed at least 10 people and destroyed 200 homes."

The way in which the fire was started leaves reason to believe this dangerous fire was intentionally set to add to the fires destroying mass numbers of people.

The Boston Globe states that the "flames hit a patch of extra-dry timber in a valley about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Healesville, flaring up and sending embers and smoke over the town."

For committing such a heinous crime, Melbourne will face severe punishment.

MSNBC states that the man will face "a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison for the deadly arson charge, and a maximum of 15 years on the second arson charge."

Being arrested for contributing to hundreds of deaths, Australians demand nothing less than retribution for the suspected arsonist. Outraged at his unlawful actions, Australians responded offensively to Sokaluk.

The New York Times said "shortly after his name was published on Monday, thousands of messages appeared on Facebook calling for him to be tortured and killed."