An exchange student from South Farmingdale studying in war-torn Lebanon is happy to once again be on American soil after landing at JFK Airport Tuesday.

Boston College student Gabrielle Frawley, 20, had been studying Arabic at Lebanese American University and was one of 25,000 Americans stranded in the country after Israeli bombs wiped out Lebanon?s international airport. Frawley says she was rescued thanks to travel insurance she signed up for with Boston College?s foreign exchange program. International SOS, a private company with a worldwide base of security and medical experts, had Frawley whisked across the border within three hours.

Frawley, who left everything but a red backpack in Lebanon, says she feels privileged and almost guilty she was able to get out. She says she left several friends behind who did not have the travel insurance with the rescue team.