Officials announced Wednesday the UW-Madison Jerusalem study abroad program is suspended and the four UW-Madison students studying abroad at the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University are ‘strongly recommended’ to come home.
The suspension, effective April 11, came after Tuesday’s U.S. State Department travel warning to Americans in Israel. The university is working with the students and their families to arrange for the students’ return to the United States.
“Our top priority is the safety of our students,” said Joan Raducha, director of International Academic Programs. “After careful consideration, we felt this was the most prudent course in light of the current situation.”
The State Department warning cited a “deteriorating security situation” and emphasized previous advice to U.S. citizens that they stay out of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It specifically recommended Americans leave Jerusalem.
Students returning to the United States will remain enrolled at UW for the remainder of the semester and the IAP is working to see that their credits can be completed.
Officials chose the April 11 deadline in observance of the Jewish Passover holiday. It also gives students ample time to make travel arrangements.
Two students left the program earlier this semester due to safety concerns and Raducha said many were deterred from the program entirely.
“I have spoken to students who would have gone to Israel if not for the current safety situation,” she said.
Lisa Goldberg, a UW junior, was one of those students.
“Israel was my first choice, but my parents thought it would be too dangerous,” she said. “I decided to go to France instead.”
The Universities of Southern California, Washington and Colorado have taken similar action in recent days.
Currently, 430 UW students are studying overseas in 31 countries. Raducha said other programs are consistently successful.
“They are by and large successfully completing their academic programs,” she said.
The university has not made a decision to cancel the fall program.
