HAIFA, Israel (Press Release) — Five American students from Elon University in South Carolina who had just arrived in Cairo on an international student exchange program, escaped the riots in Egypt to safety at the University of Haifa. “Until just a few days ago, I never thought I’d find myself in Israel. Now I am happy to be in a safe and friendly place like this,” said student Rachael Borowy.
A few weeks ago, Elon University and the University of Haifa’s International School officially signed a student exchange agreement, intending to begin the program in October 2011. But when the uprising in Egypt broke out, Elon University management turned to the University of Haifa with an urgent request to take in five of its students who had just days earlier begun their semester at the American University in Cairo. The University of Haifa’s International School responded positively and promptly prepared for the arrival of the students, who were given rooms in the student dorms and will begin their semester studies – this time in Haifa, Israel.
“The American University in Egypt is located on an island on the Nile, so at first we didn’t hear or see anything. But it wasn’t long before we started hearing gunshots and smelling the tear gas. A representative from the international program of the university in Cairo took us to his home on the shore of the Red Sea and from there we set out on our way to Israel,” described Jonathan Ordog of their ordeal.
Some tings are the same the world over, and in this case too, those most concerned were the students’ parents. “Our families were most worried of all and they urged us to get out of Egypt as quickly as possible. At first there were options like Lebanon or Jordan, but when they heard that Israel was an option they preferred we come here. Once they knew we were on our way here, they were much calmer,” said Kate Donovan.
Over the next few days, the new students will be fully integrated into the University of Haifa, taking tours of the campus and of surrounding Haifa, and they will get ready to begin the semester. In the meantime, they have already taken in the breathtaking mountain and sea views from the campus, despite the intermittent rain. The students will be completing their student exchange program studies at the University of Haifa regardless of the eventual outcome of the events in Egypt.
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Preceding provided by University of Haifa