Story perspectives

UC San Diego's Study Abroad Sparks Controversy Over Safety

10/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On October 4, UC San Diego's anthropology department promoted a study abroad program in Jordan and Israel for adventuresome, open-minded students.
Critics say it trivializes conflicts and risks student safety, citing U.S. State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for Israel.
Ethical concerns focus on whether the program normalizes Israeli actions in contested territories.
Geoffrey Braswell, UC San Diego anthropology professor, defended the program, but his Mexico-travel-advisory comparison was deemed misleading.

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Story summary

On October 4, UC San Diego's anthropology department promoted a study abroad program in Jordan and Israel for adventuresome, open-minded students.
Critics say it trivializes conflicts and risks student safety, citing U.S. State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for Israel.
Ethical concerns focus on whether the program normalizes Israeli actions in contested territories.
Geoffrey Braswell, UC San Diego anthropology professor, defended the program, but his Mexico-travel-advisory comparison was deemed misleading.