War Disrupts Spring Break Plans

With anti-American sentiment increasing around the globe in the wake of Wednesday’s invasion of Iraq, safety concerns have put many students’ carefully-planned spring break itineraries in jeopardy.

Students say that news about violence has made them worried about the idea of flying and travel in general, and that this vacation now seems as though it would be better spent—or at least more safely spent—here in Cambridge or in nearby locations.

“It doesn’t seem like a good time to go abroad, since we don’t know the scale of the war, the scope of the war or the repercussions of the war,” said Eric J. Powell ’04, who had been planning to travel to Italy to visit a friend spending a semester there. “It’s just a time I’d rather be going home.”

A statement released by the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday cautioned Americans against the “potential for retaliatory actions” due to recent military action in Iraq, noting that U.S. citizens abroad in the coming months may face an increased risk of attack from terrorists groups.

“Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other U.S. and western interests,” the advisory said.

The decisions to cancel plans have not been easy ones, students said.

For Patricia Hernandez ’04 and seven other students who intended to travel to Kenya and Nairobi, the decision to came down to debate among those who had organized the trip over the potential dangers and a close vote.

The group of students, who are all affiliated with the Center for International Development, had hoped to visit several areas, including a Masai village, to bring school supplies and clothing to people in need and to meet with representatives of humanitarian non-governmental organizations.

“I was going to do an exchange between a sixth grade school class [here] and a school there,” said Hernandez. “There were pictures and letters and interviews and it was going to be great. That got disrupted of course, which was a huge disappointment. “

Kevin Maloney, a travel advisor with STA Travel, said he has seen an influx of students cancelling tickets, seeking refunds and changing plans over the course of the past several days.

“People are coming in and asking for advice, all concerned and wondering what they should do,” Maloney said.

Most of the cancelled trips are European vacations, he said, whereas most trips to the Caribbean remained unchanged.

He also predicted that today will be another busy day for the agency, as the first day of Harvard’s spring break draws closer.

Some students, however, have not changed their plans and will still venture out to various locations the world over.

Undeterred by recent tensions between the U.S. and France, the Harvard Model Congress Europe stuck by its plans. The group left yesterday to attend a conference in Paris.

Rebecca J. Alaly ’04, who will fly to France to visit a friend living there for the semester, says she still has some worries.

“I’m not too concerned but I’m planning on being cautious,” said Alaly.

“My friend...said she hasn’t noticed any anti-American sentiment. I’m trying to dress as much as I can like a European, and my French is pretty good, so hopefully I won’t stick out as a stupid American.”

—Staff writer Laura L. Krug can be reached at krug@fas.harvard.edu.