Multiple International Students Evacuate Israel, Iran Amid Airstrikes

Students from various countries have faced harrowing evacuations amid escalating missile strikes in Israel and surrounding regions. A South Korean college student documented her tense escape after air raid sirens forced her into bomb shelters multiple times; her flight to Paris was canceled, and she had to take a complex route through Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to return home. Similarly, an Indonesian student studying in Iran described fleeing escalating Israeli airstrikes by seeking refuge at the Indonesian embassy in Tehran before a land and air evacuation through Azerbaijan and Turkey back to Indonesia, highlighting difficulties such as communication blackouts. Meanwhile, nearly two dozen University of Miami students trapped in Israel during Jewish heritage trips escaped by boat to Cyprus and then flew back to the U.S. via Europe, with many describing the experience as deeply traumatic but feeling grateful for their safe return. These accounts underscore the widespread disruption and fear experienced by international students caught in the conflict, as well as the critical role of embassies and local communities in facilitating their escape. The shared experiences reflect the broader impact of the conflict on global citizens present in the region.