The Middle East dominates American foreign policy discussion. Despite the University's suspension of study abroad programs to Israel, I am spending my junior year at the Middle East's best university, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
When one leaves for study abroad in Europe, his friends say "Have fun" instead of "Be careful" or a more blunt "Don't get blown up." Such are the farewells to travelers to Israel. So why come here? Perhaps I am in Israel because I fear boredom, and surely there is no better way to study the Middle East than to actually be in this fascinating region.
Many different types of people live in this vibrant country that is smaller than Lake Michigan. At any bus stop, one can see a full-bearded ultra-religious Jew wearing all black standing near a young secular college girl wearing virtually nothing at all, who is waiting next to an Arab woman wearing a veil, and she is standing next to a clean shaven eighteen-year-old soldier wearing his M16.
When the bus arrives, all are scrutinized by a security guard before boarding. Terrorists target buses, and they know how to disguise themselves to blend in with Israelis at bus stops.
Understanding Israel's daily reality is difficult without actually being in the country. Do you take into consideration the effect of an explosion when you choose a seat on the 40 Acres bus? When you see an unattended backpack on the West Mall, do you quickly walk away just in case a bomb is inside? When you enter Jester cafeteria, do you instinctively hold your arms away from your body so that a guard can pat you down? Do you scan the crowd on Sixth Street for a potential suicide bomber? If Austin was Jerusalem, you would.
Yet paradoxically, I do not equate being in Israel with being in harm's way. I feel safe here. More than six million people live here and go about their lives, despite the security situation. Most young men and women here serve in the army (as required by law), thus equally distributing the burden of Israel's security upon the shoulders of every citizen. My Israeli roommate served for three years as a paratrooper, and the army will summon him when his turn comes for reserve duty. Because of soldier-citizens like my roommate, Israel remains vigilant against external and internal threats while continuing to thrive as an open and democratic society.
There is much more to this country than what is reported on television. Israel has only one real natural resource: the brain power of its citizens. Outside of Silicon Valley, Israel has the world's highest concentration of high-tech startups. A popular example is Mirabilis, the company that pioneered instant messaging technology, like the kind used in AOL's Instant Messenger. The Centrino wireless Internet technology was developed at Intel's R&D center in Israel.
Environmentalism here is clearly more than a political slogan. Although mostly desert, Israel is the only country to begin the 21st century with more trees than it had at the start of the 20th century. Even the water level of the Sea of Galilee is important enough to make the evening news.
After the tsunami Israel immediately offered humanitarian assistance to tsunami ravaged Southeast Asia. The Jewish state generously delivered aid to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.
Many hesitate to come to Israel because of the security situation. This beautiful country is nothing like the war zone many perceive it to be. Instead of spending a summer in Europe, come explore the land of the Bible. Learn about the people and the politics in the Middle East's only Western-style democracy. You will be glad that you came.
Fear will never interfere with my short life. I love this land, and nothing can ever prevent me from being here. To quote Frost, "I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." Should God want me, He knows where to find me.
Rubenstein is a Middle Eastern studies junior.
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