I really fell in love with middle eastern culture Past Review
By Kimberly D (Sculpture, Art History, Kansas City Art Institute) - abroad from 02/14/2013 to 06/27/2013 with
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design: Jerusalem - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned about different cultures, both jewish arabic and russian. i was able to travel and see some families and take in everything around me.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
did not like how bezalel treated the exchange students. All my classes were in hebrew and the students had to translate for me. Many times i had no translation or any clue what was going on. it was hard to get a hold of materials and even get space to work. although i hated my program, I loved my time abroad and gained a lot of experience outside of school. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
the kfar studenteem was a great place to meet people. I am extrememly happy i didn't get paired with many exchange students. living with israelis really gave me a better experience. most exchange students were surrounded by others. |
| * Food: |
GREAT FOOD |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt really integrated. i definately clicked with the arab culture a lot more and felt one with them. i even learned quite a bit of arabic. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
felt safe the entire time i was here |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
housing is expensive in israel but if you buy food at the right places such as the market then things are rather inexpensive and affordable |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around $60 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
no. unless we came to israel with a prior knowledge of hebrew, the class we could take wasn't nearly enough to give us what was required to speak. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | taught myself before coming and gave up a month in, realizing i hated hebrew and wasn't going to use it after my time here. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | live with israelis |
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? | arabic |
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.' |
