Studying in the West Bank had Many Benefits Past Review
By Lauren W (Government, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University) for
Birzeit University: Birzeit - Palestine and Arab Studies Program
My Arabic is much better than it was before. I got to visit the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, which meant a lot to me, and I gained greater understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which is so influential in American foreign policy.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were longer, the workload was more, the grading system was harder. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of my expectations were met. We had great housing. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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* Food: |
It is very hard for vegetarians, so luckily I am not one. Cheapest food is falafel or shawarma sandwiches. Don't eat at restaurants where the Westerners go to eat, because they will make it more expensive. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went on a field trip to Northern Palestine. It was very fun. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
Palestine was very safe, but green-line Israel is only moderately safe for Arabs or Muslims as are settlements, and areas near settlements. Once on a field trip, I was told to stay away from a fence near a settlement, because an Israeli soldier, seeing my hijab, might not know that I was American and shoot me. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
* 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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent around $50 a week on food and personal expenses. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Spend money wisely because buying food can add up and be expensive. All of my luggage disappeared at the Israeli airport, so I had to buy all new clothes. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Modern Standard Arabic 1 |
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced my language everyday in interactions with local people. Not everyone spoke English. |
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
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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