This case study will describe Savannahs personal and academic growth based on research she developed with Denise and conducted in Israel in 2014. Savannah focused on healthcare providers working in two Israeli hospitals mandated to treat Syrian patients since February 2013. Israel and Syria have been political enemies for many years, and complicated ethnic demographics and political boundaries have been areas of constant division within and between the two nations. The two hospitals where Savannah conducted this research are located in an ethnically diverse region of Israel near the Golan Heights. As a female and ethnic/religious outsider, she was uniquely fit to conduct this research with healthcare providers and Syrian guests in the hospitals. This article will explicate upon her experience conducting this controversial research. Her observational notes will highlight experiences and authors will reflect upon lessons learned conducting controversial international research
