What began as a perilous fight for survival the evening of September 14, prevailed in triumph for the students on Global Semester.

Last Thursday, September 14, after a long day of visiting various holy sites of Israel, the Global Semester students arrived at the Mediterranean Sea in Cesarre, Isreal. The majority of the exhausted group proceeded to wade into the water. As the surf began to rise, some of the students swam into shore. Shortly after, the group began calling for the remaining swimmers to also return to shore. The group soon realized, however, that some of these students were being pulled out farther by the increasingly strong undertow.

Several women from the class immediately ran down the beach to locate flotation devices while the stronger swimmers of those that were trapped at sea helped the others stay afloat.

Three Israeli men attempted a rescue, but were also swept away by the current. Three of the male students that had remained on shore then swam the flotation devices out to the struggling victims.

In the meantime, police were dispatched and arrived quickly with two ambulances and paramedics, while the lifeguards organized those on shore to yell and try to keep the victims oriented.

All nine students were brought safely to shore. While they were checked by paramedics, the police wired a small fishing boat in the area that picked up the three Israeli men. Aside from a few minor cuts, no one was injured.

After much hugging and crying, the group departed for their Catholic guesthouse in Jerusalem. Upon their arrival students were greeted with warm hospitality by the nuns who had hot food and showers ready for them. One of the convent nuns had previously counseled disaster victims, and was noted to be particularly helpful to the group.

As a result of the incident, the Global students have reportedly grown stronger as both individuals and as a group, and are enjoying their new experiences together in Egypt.