After sixteen hours in coach class and my fill of humus and metal detectors, I’ve returned home from two weeks in Israel studying counter-terrorism with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). In short, this was the most undersold experience of my millennium, thus far.

In essence, the FDD Undergraduate Fellowship program is designed to give national security-minded college students a world-class and entirely complimentary education in the art and science of counter-terrorism. In return, we agree to act as a voice of awareness on our college campuses, thus advancing the Foundation’s mission and ultimately urging democratic societies to defend themselves against the immediate and real threat of Jihadist terrorism.

Based on the program website, I was hoping for a free ticket to Tel Aviv, a semi-interesting immersion in PowerPoint, and perhaps a visit to a museum or security checkpoint. Instead, I received two of the most engaging weeks in memory and an outstanding understanding of the world of terrorism: from meeting with imprisoned terrorists, to hearing victims recount a terror attack, to observing the security apparatus of police, military, and intelligence services, the program re-defined my concept of experiential education.

The program included a robust series of lectures, a dynamic schedule of field visits, and even the opportunity to absorb the religious and historical sights and significance of the region. We visited a maximum security terrorist prison and spoke in an open prison yard to convicted terrorists, some of which spoke English, one of which was an American citizen, and some of which were serving up to 45 life sentences for their actions. We shot live M-16s with and played paintball against a clandestine border patrol unit. We visited the Syrian and Lebanese borders and travelled deep into the West Bank. We spent a day at an Israeli Air Force base and watched the power of unmanned aerial surveillance catch terrorists red-handed and unaware. We traced the footsteps of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee, touched the Wailing Wall, and stood at the site of the crucifixion. And, as an extra layer of icing on the cake, I turned 20 while floating in warm albeit salty waves the Mediterranean Sea.

While the program made for quite the brochure of experiences, I was most impressed with the people. Forty-four other Fellows, including Peppers Hall alums Chris Stieber and Kevin Mills, came from the nation’s top schools and brought with them unmatched smarts and sincerity. I’m not sure if I’ve come across another group of peers that was more educated and successful yet down-to-earth and fun-loving like these folks. While it was inspiring to be studying with talented students, it was impacting to be under the care of the program’s remarkable staff. Given my employment experiences earlier in the summer, I could sympathize with the logistics quandary posed by 45 college students… but I still can’t believe such a successful program was pulled off in a tenuous security climate at a time of widespread social and political tension. These folks were professionals, and these folks were good.

In the end, I came away with a hands-on understanding of the precepts I’ve been reading and believing for some time: terrorism is sadistically savage and a brutally real threat to me, my family, and my future. No matter the boundaries of time or culture, a common morality binds us all: you never get to slaughter someone else’s children to make your point. While Israel provided an up-close case study in the tactics of effectively fighting terror on your own turf, it further reinforced my conviction that the best–and perhaps only–defense against these killers is a strong offense. We fight them there or we fight them here. I’m signed up to do it there.

I’m squeezing one last stop into this summer’s saga and will depart in the morning for a week in Europe, namely Zurich, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Frankfurt. With the sun setting on travel opportunities for the year, I’m hoping this will be a quick adventure to see a new culture, say hello to some European friends I made while studying in Hong Kong, and hopefully cross paths with a friend or two from high school. No matter what, here comes another 16 hours in coach…

The Powers Of Peppers Re-Unite: With Kevin Mills and Chris StieberMore photos available in the gallery…