Saturday, June 28, 2025
In an increasingly uncertain world, Northeastern University’s Global Safety and Support Network stood out as a crucial lifeline during the recent Middle East turmoil. When tensions escalated in the region, particularly in Doha, Qatar, the university’s 24/7 emergency assistance service acted swiftly to protect students and faculty members traveling through affected areas.
One of those students, Andrew Waterman, found himself in an unexpected predicament at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, unsure if he would ever reach his destination. A rising fourth-year student at Northeastern, Waterman was on his way to a co-op in Cambodia, after a vacation with his family in Athens. His itinerary included a layover in Doha, where he was waiting for his connecting flight. At that time a breaking news alert flashed across his phone — Qatar had closed its airspace due to intelligence reports suggesting that Iran would soon target an American military base in the city with missiles.
The Crisis Unfolds: Doha’s Airspace Closed
Waterman, alongside 200 other passengers, was asked to remain at the gate for hours, as airport officials awaited more information. With no clear timeline for when airspace would reopen, Waterman was stranded in a volatile situation. As moments passed, his concerns grew, but so did his trust in Northeastern’s Global Safety and Support Network, activated immediately upon the news.
Khushal Safi, Northeastern’s Associate Vice President for Global Safety, emphasized the importance of the team’s rapid response. “While risks crop up, we’re able to seamlessly support students where they are. In this case, it was an extreme risk situation,” Safi explained. For Waterman, this meant much more than logistical support; it was a beacon of reassurance during a time of immense uncertainty.
Immediate Response: Ensuring Safe Travel for Students
Once Waterman was cleared to leave the airport, his first call was to Northeastern’s Global Safety and Support Network. The team promptly stepped in, offering guidance and helping him navigate the disruption, which ultimately allowed him to continue his journey to Cambodia. Waterman was just one of several students who received critical assistance during this unsettling period.
The university’s Global Safety Network offered more than just a direct line of communication. Safi’s team helped students with shelter-in-place guidance, securing new flight bookings, and providing support every step of the way as the Israel-Iran conflict escalated. Among those affected was Violet Young, a junior undergraduate student, who was in Doha during the airspace closure. Like Waterman, Young had completed a Dialogue of Civilizations in Cambodia, and the safety team was able to ensure she returned to the U.S. without incident.
Global Safety Network Supports Students Across the Region
But the scope of support extended far beyond Doha. Several other students, though not physically in Qatar, had travel plans that routed through the Middle East. Katherine McDonnell, Bianca Ramirez, and Trinity Lu were finishing a Global Seminar in public health with CIEE in Botswana, South Africa.
Due to their travel routes, the team acted quickly to modify their flights, helping them return to the United States. McDonnell described the experience, noting how swiftly the team had rebooked her flight. “The global safety office was very quick to change my flight,” she remarked.
Additionally, Northeastern’s Global Safety Network helped Nichola Minott, an associate teaching professor in international affairs, who was in Bali, Indonesia, for a Dialogue of Civilizations program. The team successfully rebooked her return travel, ensuring she safely returned home to Boston, even as the region remained volatile.
Northeastern’s Proven Commitment to Student Safety
This is not the first time that Northeastern’s Global Safety and Support Network has played a critical role in ensuring student safety during global crises. The team’s proactive measures were similarly instrumental during the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. In that instance, the university helped safely evacuate three students from the country, coordinating secure transportation, international flights, and maintaining direct communication throughout the evacuation process.
Looking Ahead: Continued Commitment to Student Welfare
Northeastern University’s swift response to the Middle East crisis in Doha serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of global safety networks in the modern world. As conflicts and uncertainties continue to impact international travel, the university’s dedication to its students’ safety remains unwavering. Whether it’s rebooking flights, offering on-the-ground support, or simply ensuring that students know someone has their back, the Global Safety and Support Network is a vital resource for students studying abroad.
With the situation in the Middle East still evolving, the university’s safety network continues to monitor developments and provide assistance where needed, demonstrating that no student is left behind, no matter where they are in the world.
As Waterman reflected on his journey, now safely in Cambodia ready to start his co-op, he expressed his gratitude for the support that Northeastern provided. “I felt safe knowing I wasn’t navigating this alone,” he said. “The global safety team made all the difference.”
«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»
