Studying abroad in Israel

I am Still Going!  

By Chaya Oliver
Honors College of Florida Atlantic University

Currently I am a student at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University. I knew upon entering this program that I would have to complete either an internship or a study abroad program. Naturally, getting to live in another country for an extended period of time sounded like a lot more fun to me than spending a summer working without pay. So, as an involved member of the Jewish community, I immediately began to talk about how I was going to fulfill my study abroad requirements in Israel.

When I first began to talk about this, almost three years ago, before the beginning of the most recent intifada, very few people questioned my plans. Within a few months, however, the intifada started and people began to ask me, "You are not still planning on going to Israel, are you?" My response was, and still is, "Yes."

Most people respond to this in one of two ways. Either they say, "You are crazy," or they ask me, "Why!?!?! Aren't you afraid?" The first group of people typically walk away shaking their heads and the second group stand there and stare at me until I answer their questions.

My responses tend to take the form of one of two arguments.

In the first, I state that Israel is not as dangerous right now as many people think it is. As a psychology major I have learned that people tend to overemphasize memories of vivid events. For example, we here in America only hear about Israel when something terrible happens - when there is another suicide bombing. We do not here about a family going out to a restaurant for a nice relaxing dinner or taking a weekend vacation at a resort in Eilat. We also do not hear the fact that neither of these places were blown up by terrorists. So, although it is true that terrorist attacks are more common in Israel than, perhaps, in any other place in the world, and although it is true that the instances of these attacks have increased since the start of this intifada, it is also true that the statistical likelihood of being killed in one of these terrorist attacks is not very high.

This argument, however, does not convince many people that I am not insane. They still stare blankly at me, shake their heads, and walk away.

My second argument, on the other hand, tends to be slightly more effective at proving my sanity. In this response I say, "I am Jew. Those are my brothers and sisters over there and they are hurting. They feel abandoned. The situation in Israel is not simply an Israeli problem, it is a Jewish problem. Although you can support Israel from here in America - by sending money, by buying Israeli products, by sending letters of support to Israeli soldiers and schoolchildren, by doing any number of other things - there is also something to be said for actually going there to be with them. If you are going through a difficult time, is it enough for your friends and family to send you cards and money, or do you need them to be there . . . to hold you and to comfort you."

One may ask, "How do you know that this is what the people of Israel really need right now?"

My response to that is, because I have been there and I have seen how they respond to my presence. Since the beginning of this intifada I have participated in the KOACH birthright israel program. Although the trip was not planned as a mission of solidarity, it soon became apparent to me that it was, to some extent, just that.

Upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport government officials not only briefed us, but they also thanked us for coming to Israel during such difficult times. Random people on the streets also came up to us and thanked us for being there. One person even came up to me, hugged me, and told me, "We love Americans." Throughout my trip I began to realize just how much our Israeli brothers and sisters really do need our support, and that is why, when I got back to the States, I continued to plan my study abroad trip to Israel.

Now, of course, as America concludes its war on Iraq, another set of variables has been added to the equation. My response to the frequently asked questions, though, is still the same: "Yes, I am still going to Israel."

Granted, my first argument has been weakened. There is always a chance that the "road map" will be a precursor to more attacks.  But on the other hand...this could be the start of better days.

My second argument, however, has been strengthened.  If our brothers and sisters in Israel needed our support during this war with Iraq, they also need it now that the "road map" has been released and the future is once again uncertain.

That is why I will, God willing, spend June through December of this year living and studying in Israel.

[Posted 4/30/03]