Written by Jessica Ardrey
The chaos in Egypt is all over every major news outlet, be it print, Web or TV. And while it might feel like a world away, its effects are very real to some Harding students.HUG, Harding’s overseas program in Greece, has yet to be in session for an entire month and is already seeing the effects of the turmoil.HUG director Dr. Mike James said it will probably affect the group’s travel.”Our travel window is rather narrow, and excursions for a group of 40 takes time and planning,” James said. “The outlook is not good presently. However, if we cannot go to Egypt, we have some other very amazing locations to see.”Some of the possible places include Turkey, England, Rus- sia, Scandinavia or another European country.”A lot of people here actually came because we thought we’d get to see the pyramids or tour the Nile. And now finding out that we were so close to getting to go, it’s disappointing,” sophomore HUG student Roxanne Moaveni said.Before the outbreak,Egypt’s attitude toward visitors had always been positive.”Egypt has been very friendly to American tourists in the past,”James said.”There have never been threats oropponents as we’ve traveled.” But changes are happening fast in Egypt. The directors are taking measures to stay informed by keeping an eye on the Al-Jazeera Network, BBC and Fox News, as well as other sources.They are also being open with the students about the effects.”We talk about it, pray about it and discuss it,” James said. “They know about the threat to our travel. Even though they really want to go, they realize that threats like these are serious business. They understand.”With these kinds of threats and uncertainty, it is expected that parents would be up in arms.”My parents are worried, but they know that the faculty here would risk their lives for our own. It’s really like a big family here, and we all watch out for each other,” Moavensaid. “They know I’m safe.”Despite the changes and the on-edge atmosphere, Moaveni understands the significance of the timeand is keeping a positive attitude.”I have to say that, even though I’m sad I won’t get to go to Egypt, I’m still on the trip of a lifetime. I’ve been in a beautiful campus by the Aegean Sea for weeks now,” Moaveni said.”This revolution is important to the Egyptian people, and tourism and sightseeing is in no way more urgent than this monumental time in their history.”
