As I began researching more and more on my issue of Education in Israel, I realized that there is not enough information available to me to continue with this concern. Although I did not want to start a completely new topic, I wanted to research something that was more along the lines of security in the Middle Eastern region, specifically Israel.
There are numerous organizations, such as Taglit Birthright, which takes college aged students abroad to Israel. These organizations often allow students to extend their tickets and stay in Israel for longer periods of time without programming scheduled. The students that choose to stay after the trips finish need to be informed and well aware of the risks involved with being in a foreign country, specifically Israel, and traveling without consistent security measures being taken.
Many students don't realize the extent of the security that is present on the trip that they take to tour the country. Usually there is an armed guard with the tour group at all times, as well as the constant communication between the leaders of the trip and the Israeli government officials. As students extending their stay in Israel, they do not have this luxury of knowledge. These students need to be informed on what risks there are involved in traveling in Israel as well as the appropriate steps to take in a crisis situation. This topic is relevent because there are hundreds of different organized trips to Israel and there are numerous students who decide to stay or even visit again without an organization. Security is a very serious issue that organizations make a number one priority. As a student, security may not be a priority while traveling in a foreign country with friends or family.
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Hi Britney,
I think developing a risk management plan that clearly explains the risks associated with studying abroad in the Middle East, specifically Israel, is an excellent idea because it targets the student population. Improving the safety of students is definitely an important issue that many school organizations and officials take into consideration; whether it is students on campus or representing campus in a foreign country.
Now when you mention that “[a]s a student, security may not be a priority while traveling in a foreign country with friends or family,” is this based on a study of students who do not consider a lack of security on their trip a problem? If so, I do find this very shocking, as my top concern would be for my safety. So if this is true, then you are definitely trying to convince students that safety is the number one concern when studying abroad through your risk communication effort. Perhaps comparing other locations around the world where students have studied could be used as a basis of comparison to the risks associated with studying abroad in Israel. Maybe, countries such as Vietnam or Russia have similar security measures. But maybe students also lose this privilege when they choose to stay for a longer period of time. I agree with you that promoting this issue, even if it is similar in other countries, is definitely a necessity for students who do not realize the importance of security.
I noticed on the Taglit Birthright Israel website that the program provides a security orientation. Perhaps this would be a great place to do, if not pretest, your risk communication effort to the students. That way, right from the beginning of the program, students know that if they want to extend the length of their stay in Israel beyond the program’s timeline, they will be immediately made aware and hopefully prepared to make the necessary adjustments to their study abroad schedules.
I hope you found some of my suggestions helpful, and keep up the good work!
-Mike
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