RIS: A unique time in a unique city Past Review
By Max Silverstone (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/22/2018 to 06/07/2018 with
Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Rothberg International School: Undergraduate Study Abroad Program
I learned a lot about Jewish history and Israeli culture.
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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. |
Before I went to Rothberg, I was told it would be an easy school, but that's not exactly how I experienced it. Though it is a side for the teachers, some of them are actually PhD. professors, and some are not. I took classes with the PhD. professors, so they had lots of readings, writing, and assignments. That being said, I learned a lot, and the resources of the library were also helpful to me when I needed them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The OSL (Office of Student Life) staff were all very nice and professional, and willing to help you with any issues. They were also fun to hang out with on our trips. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living in the Kfar Studentim (Student village). It was a bit dingy looking, but I know that it's a cultural difference in home living styles between the US and Israel. The rooms were a good size and the furniture was fine. The common room was nice for eating in, doing work in, and hanging out in. And having a kitchen was very appreciated, since it's hard to get one at Brandeis. But there were no ovens, so we had to buy a toaster oven, which was small and therefore limiting. |
| * Food: |
The food in Israel is absolutely incredible! Unlike the US, they care about freshness and quality. While there was no central dining hall on campus, there were cafe's and food counters. The food was a bit expensive at some of the places on campus, but it got the job done. My favorite was the cafe at Frank Sinatra square, which gave you enough food for two meals (Bring tupperware!), and was the only cheap place on campus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My Hebrew wasn't great, so I could not communicate in that way. But I did learn about how to navigate the city and the country, and cool places to go (along with places to avoid). By the end of the trip, I definitely felt like I understood the culture very well and could explain it to people when I got home, but there were some things that I could just never feel/be a part of. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never needed it. But they gave us the list of approved clinics/organizations for our medical insurance, and I'm sure that if I needed it, the Office of Student Life would have been helpful and accommodating. |
| * Safety: |
Despite Jerusalem being known as a conflict zone, I always felt safe, even if I was alone at night. Some of the area around Hebrew U and the dorms is a bit sketchy, but there are plenty of bus lines and the light rail nearby to take you into town. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I enjoyed my time in Israel so much more than I've enjoyed my time at Brandeis. The food is better, the classes were more fun, the people I met were more interesting, and there was more to do. |
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) |
I really only spent money on food, and you can buy street food (like a falafel in pita) basically everywhere for cheap, and it satisfies your food needs every time. I didn't spend money on much else other than food and travel (which at NIS5.90 a use, is also cheap). I also got to take advantage of free meals from other programs I was involved with, Hebrew University trips/programming, and going to a local synagogue. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
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 |
Obviously we had to use Hebrew in the Hebrew class. Outside of it, they didn't control our day to day lives, but of course we all know it's a useful skill to have. So at the end of the day, it was really what you made of it. If your Hebrew was below a certain level however, then you just couldn't really use it. |
| 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? | Hebrew 44 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go to the class (Don't sleep through it), and do the hw. Try to notice it around you during time you're not doing other things (like if you're sitting on the bus or sitting at the park) |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I understood Israeli culture more, pertaining to a lot of things: How different diversities are accepted and functioned in the country Israel's highly positive and healthy food culture. The absence of personal space in public places. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
