“Studying abroad in conflict zones: Reckless or rewarding?”
by Sanya Mansoor via “Christian Science Monitor“
Should universities support students and faculty when they travel to dangerous countries for research or study abroad programs?
Some say their passion may overpower their concerns.
The potential to help activists and scholars outweighs the risks posed by an unstable country, argues Peter Levine, a Tufts University professor. Next month, he will lead a conference in Ukraine, even though the US State Department has flagged the former Soviet republic as dangerous for travel. The summit will focus on civics, in part because the country exemplifies the struggles of a fledgling democracy.
But the risks are real.
Mr. Pochter, who traveled to Egypt through a private education group, was killed during clashes between supporters and opponents of Mohamed Morsi, then the president of Egypt, The New York Times reported.
When countries are perceived as conflict zones, their popularity as study-abroad sites for American students inevitably declines, notes the AP. . . .
Student Ramblings 