Intense Amazing Program!!! June 30, 2023
By A student (Public Health, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/14/2023 to 06/15/2023 with
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies: Hevel Eilot - Study Abroad in Israel
The importance of curiosity instead of judgement, empathetic listening, and fun!!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic program is intense in an untraditional way. Learning experiences happen both inside and outside the classroom. Classes move at a relaxed pace for those familiar with the U.S. college class pace. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrative team really cares about their students and do everything to check in before the program as well as during. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very. Although the facilities themselves could use a little bit more care, the administrative staff puts a lot of energy and intentionality into room assignments. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were not adjusting to the local culture as much and more adjusting to living with people of all different cultures. It took a bit but it was incredibly important. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program changed my life, I am so beyond grateful for the relationships that I have built and the perspectives I have been opened too. I could go back and learn even more about myself. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It depends on how much you traveled but if you wanted you could easily not spend any money the entire week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably around 50 - 100 on averaged. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
