Study Abroad Programs

            For years Palomar College has offered many study abroad programs that have allowed numerous students to experience and participate in other cultures around the world. The study abroad programs include life science courses, historical visitations, art workshops, and foreign language experiences. Enrolling in these unique courses allowing students to travel around the world to places such as Belize, Egypt, Costa Rica, and Hong Kong. Concerning the incidents that occurred on September the 11th, the U.S. State Department has issued a "world wide caution" for U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S. In response to the concerns about safety, President Sherrill Amador felt it would be in the school's best interest to cancel Palomar's study abroad programs. "Out of concern for the safety of our students and staff, I presented my recommendations regarding study travel abroad classes and programs [. . .] therefore, effective immediately [. . .] all study abroad classes [. . .] are cancelled" (Lutz).
             In light of these recent announcements, I believe it would be a good idea to cancel the study abroad programs. Though I am in favor of the study abroad programs and its" excellent experience it gives to the students, I feel that we should be more concerned with the student's safety than with their education. .
             For most people education is very important to them and the fact that our country is experiencing warfare may not worry them. This may be the only time for some students to participate in this special class. Or some students may even need it to graduate or transfer to a university. Under these conditions education is a very high priority to some people and they are willing to take the risk. I sense they are almost in a willful suspension of disbelief. .
             Of course many people are not going to agree with my opinion and would rather risk the chance of traveling on planes to foreign countries, but this is my question: Is it worth it? Should parents pay money to send their children to high-tension countries such as Egypt? I would hope not.