Boston University plans to resume the Haifa, Israel study abroad program this spring, despite the threat of violence in the region, according to BU and University of Haifa officials. The university suspended its fall program amid violence between Hezbollah forces and the Israeli army.
“We have confidence in the security measures taken by the University of Haifa,” Institutional Relations Director Joe Finkhouse said. “We are optimistic that the program will run as scheduled for the spring semester, although we consider the situation very fluid and subject to change without notice.”
Security for foreign students is provided by the University of Haifa. The program, which houses BU students in dormitory-style housing, has a resident director and administrative personnel present, but does not rely on them for security purposes.
“The University of Haifa is constantly vigilant concerning matters of security, so nothing new needs to be done,” University of Haifa Overseas Studies Head Hanan Alexander said in an email. “The university keeps close contact with all security authorities in the country and makes decisions in a timely manner to protect our student body.”
Three BU students were scheduled to participate in the program this semester, but opted to switch to other BU abroad programs for the fall. Finkhouse said the decision was a mutual agreement between BU and the individual students, who were given the opportunity to transfer programs without penalization.
“We were watching the situation very carefully [during the summer],” he said. “It got to the point where they had to make a decision. One or two may go to Haifa next semester.”
The University of Haifa closed July 16 amid threats of rocket fire, sending staff and students into bomb shelters. After two hours, students were ordered to return to their homes and follow updates from the University of Haifa’s website. According to Alexander, overseas students were evacuated to Jerusalem within 12 hours of an announcement by the Israel’s Homeland Security Office that Haifa may come under attack.
Finkhouse said BU does not plan to relocate the Israel program, adding that the University of Haifa’s decision to temporarily move their program to Jerusalem this summer would not provide students with the same study abroad experience.
All summer classes and exams at the University of Haifa were suspended until Aug. 17, three days after a United Nations-mediated ceasefire went into effect. According to a press release signed by University of Haifa President Aaron Ben-Ze’ev, all of the university’s departments, including the library and fitness room, were operational by Sept. 3.
“We will open the fall semester for overseas students on October 16, and for the rest of the university, on October 29,” Alexander said. “We are anticipating a normal semester without any special problems.”