The prospect of war on Iraq starting before spring break is
causing many students to cancel their spring break travel plans or
prepare for complications they may encounter.
Some students worry about travel inconveniences that could be
caused by threats of terrorism or retaliation. Other students are
concerned about anti-American sentiment in other countries and hate
crimes within the United States against individuals of Middle
Eastern descent.
Nima Javaherian, a first-year undeclared student, cancelled his
plans to go to Rosarito, Mexico, upon the request of his parents,
who felt nervous that a war outbreak was imminent.
“It’s because I’m Middle Eastern. They figured
in Mexico people would look at me weird, and coming back (across
the border) would be difficult,” he said.
Javaherian said that he agrees traveling would be dangerous for
him, so he did not put up a fight because he feels safer in the
United States.
Raymond Arjang, a first-year psychobiology student, agreed that
his Middle Eastern appearance would make traveling during wartime
dangerous. If he travels, he will stay in Southern California.
“Anywhere else would be too far from my family,” he
said
But Arjang said even staying in Los Angeles is not necessarily
safe during war because it is a major city and could be the target
of a terrorist attack.
“I’m afraid if we attack (Iraq), another 9-11 is
going to happen,” he said.
Kristin Nakano and Cindy Kobayaschi, who are both second-year
students, were warned that they could experience difficulty while
on the Asian American Christian Fellowship Mission in Ensenada,
Mexico.
“We were warned about the possibility of being stuck
across the border if it is shut down,” Nakano said, referring
to possible precautions the government would take against terrorist
threats.
Kobayaschi said the trip organizers also warned students not to
provoke anti-American sentiment.
“A lot of countries don’t like Americans. We were
told not to do anything to draw attention to ourselves,”
Kobayaschi added.
Both Nakano and Kobayaschi said they were not concerned for
their safety while traveling during spring break.
Kobayaschi said one possible reason for her lack of concern is
that she is too busy at UCLA to watch the news and know exactly
when war may come or the extent of possible dangers.
Casey Ryan, a fourth-year psychobiology student, had no personal
plans to travel but said his girlfriend already had reservations to
go to Spain.
“She won’t go if we declare war,” he said.
“I say it’s not safe to go anyway, being an
American.”
Ryan added that he thinks the chances of his girlfriend being
personally attacked are slim but are elevated by war.
Ryan said he thinks the true danger to traveling Americans is
not in being at war but already exists in anti-American
sentiment.
Despite the possible dangers, however, many students will not
let war deter them from traveling.
Sibyl Knight, a first-year chemical engineering student, said
she is going to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and does not believe war
will affect her safety, though her parents do.
“My parents are very against me going anywhere and have
been ever since Sept. 11,” Knight said.
Knight said she does not feel like she should let fear of
terrorism affect her life, so she will continue to travel.
For others, the threat of terror isn’t a factor at
all.
Evelyn Ibarra, a second-year psychology student who is planning
to go to either Tijuana, Mexico, or Las Vegas, Nev., over break,
said the possibility of war affecting her safety did not cross her
mind.
“I just thought about partying,” she said.