Study abroad safety policies unchanged

Despite the growing concern for the safety of Americans traveling in foreign countries, the JHU Study Abroad Office has not drastically altered they way in which it monitors Hopkins students studying abroad. The office is instead relying on the capabilities of the individual programs themselves to account for and ensure the safety of their students.

"Programs notify us if they're concerned," said Dr. Ruth Aranow, Senior Academic Advisor and Study Abroad Coordinator. "We're aware that they're looking out for [their students.]"

There are currently 61 Hopkins students studying abroad, and Aranow estimates that about 119 students total were abroad in the 2001-2002 academic year. Most students abroad are studying in Europe: Right now, there are 12 students in England, 11 in France and six in Italy. In addition, there is one student in Israel. There are no JHU students elsewhere in the Middle East, according to Aranow. The student in Israel, junior Jacob Raver, is studying through Hebrew University in Jerusalem; he has been there since August.

"He's the only one in a place that's hot," Aranow said of Raver. "His mother is concerned, but all together we feel that [Hebrew University is] taking really strong measures" to keep their students safe.

Raver said that throughout the year, there have been "no changes in the way Hebrew University keeps track of students. It has called a few times after a terrorist incident to see if you're okay, but other than that, nothing." He added that students are expected to be capable of taking care of themselves: "Hebrew U. is not a day care center."

Aranow acknowledged that the safety of everyone in Israel is an issue now, but that Raver "left [here] knowing" what kind of situation the country was in. "He seems to be comfortable" in Israel, said Aranow.

Aranow receives e-mail notices on a regular basis from a large number of study abroad programs, which helps her be sure that measures are being taken to keep students safe. Last week, after a small plane flew into a skyscraper in Milan, Italy, Aranow was sent an e-mail update from the International Education ofStudents (IES) program in Milan.

The incident was ruled to be an accident, but the e-mail assured study abroad colleagues that IES was calling every IES Milan student on their cell phone to account for everyone and was asking each student to call their parents to assure them of their safety. They also asked all students to remain home the evening of the incident. A de-briefing session with a psychologist was also scheduled. There are not currently any JHU students in Milan, but contact is regularly maintained between study abroad coordinators.

Hanan Alexander, a professor at the University of Haifa in Israel, also sent out an e-mail message in early April addressed to all parents and friends of students at the University. Hanan stated that "our campus has remained safe and secure. Israeli students have occasionally expressed their political views on campus as is customary in every democratic society and many of them have been called up to reserve duty to join Israel's fight against terror."

Hanan's message also included words of advice. "We have asked our overseas students to avoid public places and to remain close to campus. They have continued to be actively involved in their studies and to demonstrate solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people during these trying times." Despite the threat of danger, no student has left the University of Haifa since the beginning of the semester, according to Hanan.

At Hebrew University, however, some students are withdrawing and leaving Israel. "The number of students from America has gone down considerably. For other countries, it has remained the same," said Raver. Despite this, Raver "never considered leaving early."

After the Passover attacks in Jerusalem, Amy Sugin, Director of the Office of Academic Affairs at Hebrew University, sent an e-mail in which she acknowledged that the school is "anticipating some student withdrawals." A meeting was held for the students on April 8, where students were advised that if they chose to withdraw, "every effort to assist those students to complete academic coursework from home, where feasible," will be made, according to Sugin's e-mail.

If a situation becomes too dangerous, there is always the possibility that an entire program will be terminated, but that does not often occur. Aranow noted that last year a program in Nepal was forced to end early due to the political unrest there.

The Passover attacks did not drastically change they way of living for Hebrew University students. "Living in Jerusalem, one must develop a cautious attitude and always take precautions. But for me, nothing has really changed since the beginning of the school year," said Raver.

Despite the uncertainty, Aranow does not anticipate a drop in the number of students studying abroad in the future. "Immediately after 9-11, two people who had not yet left [for their programs] cancelled? otherwise, the numbers have been higher than ever before."

Aranow acknowledged that logistically, there is little anyone in the United States can physically do to assure the safety of students abroad. "I'm not actively seeking them out, asking 'Are you safe?'" said Aranow.

She is confident that each program is taking care of its students. "You send people to respectable, reputable programs where you have confidence that they're doing things the right way," said Aranow.