Dangerous countries will be destinations for some Spring Break travelers from Syracuse University, despite warnings from the federal government.
“I am nervous about this trip,” said Racquel Clarke, a junior newspaper and international relations major at SU, who will spend her Spring Break in Israel. “But I think it’s just the media hyping everything up.”
Israel and Mexico are at the top of the list of dangerous countries maintained by the U.S. State Department. The department issues warnings or alerts about those countries for U.S. citizens travelling abroad.
Among the SU students and staff going to countries on the State Department’s warning list is a group spending the spring break in Israel.
In coordination with Hendrick’s Chapel, 13 Muslim, Jewish and Christian students will head to Israel for Spring Break. The students will be accompanied by three SU staff members and a leader of each faith from the Syracuse community.
The Israel trip is part of SU’s “Three Faiths, One Humanity: Interfaith Travel Study Experience” program. The group will visit mosques, synagogues and churches in Israel.
But the trip itinerary does not include the most dangerous areas of Israel.
The State Department especially warns against travel to southern Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Those areas are frequent targets of terrorists.
The student participants say they are putting fear aside and are just excited to be traveling to Israel.
“I hope this will be one of those experiences that will serve as a milestone in my life,” said Anna Koulouris, a Christian and junior newspaper major at SU going on the Israel trip. “I want to have deep discussions with my group members and see things that many people will unfortunately only see in books.”
Some other SU students are traveling to the popular resort destinations in Mexico during break. Every year, more than 100,000 American teenagers and young adults spend Spring Break in Mexico, according to the State Department.
The State Department issued its warning about Mexico after a rise in drug-related violence and kidnappings. Much of the violence has been near the United States-Mexico border.
Syracuse University sent an e-mail alert to SU students, faculty and staff about the State Department’s warning on Mexico.
“Our intent was not to tell students and others to stay away from Mexico. But rather, to make sure they have all the information they should have available in order to make an informed decision about whether or not to travel there over Spring Break,” said Kevin Morrow, SU spokesman.
The U.S. State Department offers some tips for safe travel abroad:
•Know the local laws.
While traveling abroad, American citizens are subject to the local laws. Ignorance of the local laws is not an excuse for breaking the law.
•Register your trip with the State Department.
Students can register their trips with the State Department online. The State Department will be able to warn or contact the local consulates on behalf of the students in the case of emergency.
•Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
The majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes and deaths suffered by students in Mexico during Spring Break involve alcohol use, says the State Department.
•Use common sense.
Travel with other people. It is safest to travel and be out during the daylight. Don’t wear expensive clothing or jewelry that will attract attention. Wear clothing that respects local customs.
(Laura Brandon is a senior with dual majors in newspaper journalism and political science.)
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