Apparently I’ll be dead soon

A few days ago I needed to be let into a building at Pacific so I called a campus safety officer to come let me in. We got to chatting and it came up that I’m leaving for the Peace Corps at the end of the month. Now, most people usually react with excitement and enthusiasm upon learning about my plans. A few folks are under the misconception that it involves military service, an idea that I am quick to dispel. However, when the officer learned that I would be living in Ukraine for over two years, his reaction was by far the most intense and odd that I’ve encountered. We had the following conversation:

Officer: So, where will you be living?

Me: Somewhere in Ukraine; I don’t know specifically where yet.

Officer: They’re going to kill you. Chechnya is crazy these days.

Me: Oh, well…I don’t think you understand. See, I'm not--

Officer: --NO, I don’t think YOU understand. Those Chechen rebels are going to murder you because you’re an American.

Me: OK, first off, I don’t think that’s a fair characterization of the Chechen people. Second, I’m not going to Chechnya, I’m going to Ukraine. Third, WHAT?!

Officer: Look, I just think they’re going to kill you and I thought you would like to know.

Me: Uh, thanks?