University decides to keep
Mideast study options open
■ Despite the shaky situation,
officials aren’t ruling out the
possibility of offering programs
in Turkey, Jordan or Israel
By Danielle Gillespie
Oregon Daily Emerald
While universities nationwide
have been cutting their study
abroad programs to the Middle East
because of continuing violence in
Israel and the threat of terrorist at
tacks, the University has hopes of
keeping its program alive.
Rutgers University closed its
study abroad program to the Middle
East in December, and the Universi
ty of California followed suit, clos
ing its program in April and request
ing that the 27 students studying in
Israel return home immediately. Al
though several students refused,
claiming they felt safe in Israel, oth
ers returned to the United States.
riesemiy, me university nas not
discussed canceling its study
abroad program in the Middle East
because at this time, it does not
have any students studying abroad
in these countries, and students
have not expressed a keen interest
in the Middle East at this time.
“If we had students there, or if
students were really interested in
studying abroad in Israel at this
present time, we would have to
make a decision about the pro
gram,” Overseas Program Coordi
nator Cari Vanderkar said. “Our
hope is in the near future we can
strongly encourage students to go.”
The Office of International Pro
grams has three study abroad pro
grams to Middle Eastern countries,
offering University students the op
portunity to study in Israel, Jordan
and Turkey. OIP just adopted the
study abroad program to Turkey
and Jordan this fall, but no Univer
sity students have gone to these
countries yet.
“We are generally excited about
the programs to Turkey and Jordan
Istanbul
O Ankara
Kirkuk O
Amman
Jordan
Black
Sea
Q Adana
CyprusQ^p
Nicosia
Tripoli
Lebanon
Haifa
Tel Aviv () / 1
Gaza
Isra
Scott Abts Emerald
The University has study abroad programs for Turkey, Jordan and Israel.
because students can study Arabic
and Turkish languages, which are
languages not offered for study here
at the University,” Vanderkar said.
However, the two students who
applied for the program to Israel
for fall term 2002 have opted to
defer their travel plans to a later
date because of the current condi
tions in Israel.
“I encouraged these two students
to be informed about what’s going
on in that country and asked them
to try and picture themselves
there,” Vanderkar said. “I wanted
them to think of their security and
well-being, and I asked them to talk
with friends and family before
committing to study there.”
Vanderkar said the U.S. Depart
ment of State’s “Travel Warning” is
one reason she has been encourag
ing students to rethink travel to the
Turn to Study abroad, page 8A
Don’t Leave School Without It!
Duck's Village is now leasing for next year. Stop by today!
3225 Kinsrow (541) 485-7200 www.ducksvillage.com
013859
v i v ■.
K I. t. It'.Si
H ’1 t ’I
UO Ticket Office
EMU: 346-4363
i/Z*
HiiIt Center- 682-5000
L'T Box Office: 346-4191
(Dcivs of IVrfortnivs only)
uif viKt- ;
University of On
Comic News
— poppi*/—
_y4na,4ol!a
"The Land East"
Traditional
R3 Greek & Indian Food
Lunch
Monday through Saturday
Dinner
7 Nights a Week
992 Willamette
Eugene, Or 97401
343-9661
Motel 6 Eugene South
Reserve your rooms NOW for
GRADUATION!
Time is Running Out!
Only I miie from U of O Jr
Take 1-5 to exit 191 '
Tel: (541) 687-2395 Fax: (541) 687-6828 A<XOR
BIRKENSTOCK
Insole Party
Saturday, April 2010am-2pm
Save 10% on Insoles
Bring in your non-Birkenstock shoes,
inline skates, ski boots, waders or other
footgear and Rick Perusse, Birkenstock
USA Insole Expert, will recommend an
insole to suit your needs.
fOOTWISE
THE BIRKENSTOCK STORE
181 E Broadway Downtown Eugene 342-6107