A Great Semester Abroad! January 30, 2025
By A student (Israeli and Middle Eastern Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 10/01/2025 to 12/21/2024 with
Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Rothberg International School: Undergraduate Study Abroad Program
I gained a lot of Hebrew language skills, in addition to finding an amazing community somewhere very far from home. I also made connections that will help me pursue a graduate degree.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
We were responsible for our own food, but there were good options available on campus! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not use the healthcare system, but I knew it was an option for me and I know several who had to use it, and were very satisfied |
| * Safety: |
No incidents nearby that I was aware of, felt very safe overall |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved my program - I made friends for life, and connections that will help me in the future. I loved this program so much that I am applying for graduate school there. |
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 was a little stressful with money, but I was able to get through the semester |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 (ish) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | work as much as you can before you leave and save up for any expenses! |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner/intermediate courses |
| 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? | Duolingo is great for vocabulary, I would also recommend watching shows with subtitles and audio in your target language |
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? |
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 have a higher level of Hebrew now then I did before, I wish I had studied more before I left! |
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.' |
