A professor at the University of Michigan recently told a student that he could not write her a letter of recommendation to study abroad. He said no, (after initially saying yes), not because she was a bad student or because he didn’t think the experience would be valuable, but because she wanted to study in Israel.
The professor, John Cheney-Lippold, told the student in an email, “As you may know, many university departments have pledged an academic boycott against Israel in support of Palestinians living in Palestine. This boycott includes writing letters of recommendation for students planning to study there.”
He continues, “I should have let you know earlier, and for that I apologize. But for reason of these politics, I must rescind my offer to write your letter.”
That’s a terrible reason to withdraw support from a student interested in studying abroad.
For students of history, Hebrew, and religion, as well as a range of other topics there are few better places to study the subject matter than in Israel. University of Michigan faculty recognize this — on the website for the university’s center for Judaic studies, for example, the page on study abroad explains, “Study abroad offers students the opportunity for cultural immersion, intensive language learning, and first-hand observation of different educational systems.”
Moreover, the University of Michigan itself hosts study abroad coursework in Israel including an option through the school of Literature, Science and the Arts and a course for Business School MBA students. Brochures for both programs highlight the value of studying abroad in Israel and the unique learning opportunities for students who participate in these programs.
The information on these programs highlights that participants will learn about difficult political issues. And the website features testimonials from students who talk about engaging with, for example, this Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Learning does not require agreement, but knowledge is key to change. If students cannot study in Israel and grapple with these divisive issues, then the political objections the professor cites in his refusal to write a letter for the student’s program can never be talked about or begin to be resolved.
There is, of course, plenty to disagree with when it comes to Israeli politics — but, then again, there is much to disagree with many governments of countries where students study abroad each year.
France restricts the wearing of Islamic or Jewish head coverings in many public places. Denmark requires Muslim children to take, effectively, reeducation classes. Heck, Michigan offers study abroad programs in Putin’s Russia.
This isn’t to say students should not go to those places, but instead that the university should prepare them to do so by teaching students to engage with the diverse communities, to ask difficult questions, and understand issues before passing judgment.
That is the point of studying abroad. To live in a different culture, with different values, different politics and different problems – and to learn about it all in the course of a semester. I hope that the student who asked this professor for his support finds it elsewhere and has the opportunity to pursue her studies in Israel as spending a semester abroad is truly one of the best opportunities for undergraduate students.
