Despite turmoil in the Middle East and concern regarding ISIS, students studying at Harding University in Greece (HUG) are not experiencing any problems and the semester has gone smoothly.
“Our trip has gone extremely well so far with no problems,” sophomore Michael DeSalvo said. “ISIS is a major concern in the Middle East and it could possibly affect our trip to Israel, but we are still scheduled to go.”
During the summer, the HUG group was forced to change its plans a week before they had intended to go to Israel, so nothing is certain at this point.
However, the students say that they feel safe despite what is happening in surrounding countries.
“We have seen and felt no affects from ISIS or Middle Eastern turmoil here in Greece,” DeSalvo said. “I feel very safe here, and our directors take every precaution necessary to make sure we are always taken care of.”
Junior Courtney Mitchell said that “because of the ceasefire, (the group) should be able to go to Israel.”
According to the Guardian, it has been one month since the ceasefire began and Gaza is working to rebuild.
However, according to the Washington Post, “Israeli forces shot and killed two Hamas operatives” on Tuesday. The 50-day war in Gaza prior was one of the worst conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians in years.
Sophomore Carly Quibodeaux said that they are still prepared to change their plans if need be.
“If the ceasefire ends and they begin fighting again, our plans will have to change, even if at the last minute,” Quibodeaux said.
The group is prepared with other plans in case of events that keep them from traveling to Israel.
“The backup plan is going to southern Italy,” Quibodeaux said. “Of course, we are praying for continued peace and for ISIS to stop terrorizing the people of the surrounding countries. Fortunately, Israel is the only trip that should be affected.”
