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