The most worthwhile expreience of my life Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., SUNY - Binghamton) for

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Rothberg International School: Undergraduate Study Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was the most worthwhile expreience of my life. I think it really teaches you to be totally independent and more globally oriented.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes that are offered at Hebrew University are classes you cannot take anywhere else in the world. Because of Israel's history and location as the only democracy and free market in the Middle East, their classes on religion, politics and business are incredibly unique. I had the pleasure of taking a class that focused soley on the rise Israeli version of Silicon Valley called "Silicon Wadi." The classes offered on Judaism, Islam and Christanity are out of this world, as Israel is considered a holy country in the eyes of all three monotheistic religions.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I found the whole application process stressful. All the components were not listed in one place. I think that some sort of letter and website should be devoted soley to the program. The financial aid aspect of the whole thing was the most confusing becuase I had to sent paperwork to a hundred different places.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was a apartment-style dorm called the Kfar Studentim (which literally means - Student Village) Very spacious. Each person has their own room with two bathrooms, a shower room, a kitchen and a common area. You have to pay for your own internet but its pretty cheap. <br /><br /> The only reason for the lower mark is because of the location. Other than that I was satisfied with my housing.

* Food:

Israeli food is amazing! The cheese there is phenomenal! Jerusalem has so many restaurants and places to eat that have different cuisines. Middle eastern food is so delicious! Please eat tons of falafel and shwarma!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I starred in a play in Jerusalem and became a local celebrity. No joke. People stopped me in the streets. Now that's extracurricular activities!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

People may think that Israel is not safe but they are wrong. It is not more dangerous than any other country or city. I felt totally safe there. There are plenty of security precautions that are taken wherever you go to ensue for ones safety. Be aware that before you enter any building you are subject to search of your belongings.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It really depends on the week. I would say I spent around 50-70 dollars a week on food.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There are so many travel opportunities that you will want to take advantage of. From israel you can get amazing travel deals to europe and asia. Also the country itself is beautiful!

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

My hebrew was already better than most of my counterparts on the program who were just starting out but my confidence has increased 100%. Seriously, confidence in speaking the language is half the battle!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do it! It will change your life. I have amazing friends and amazing experiences.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Silicon Wadi

Course Department: Business and Law
Instructor: Avner Halperin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor is a CEO of his own bio-tech startup in Israel and gives amazing insight into the rise of the Israeli Silicon Valley aka Silicon Wadi. Throughout the course case-studies are used to understand things concepts such as cluster theory and market failure. Final projects included the creation of our own startup in Israel and an executive summary stating our business outline.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, all classes taken were purely for elective credit.
Course Name/Rating:

Business Ethics

Course Department: Business and Law
Instructor: Adv. Justus Wiener
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class is taught by a renowned lawyer who wrote and covered the Oslo Accords extensively. He is an expert in foreign affairs and often gets interviewed on his opinions and knowledge of Israeli and Jewish issues by the foreign press. The course was stimulating and was comprised mainly of discussion of different ethical issues based on different readings done prior to class. The final project was to present and write about a pressing ethical issue in the world today. Field trips to the Intel and Coca Cola factories in Israel. They were really fun!
Credit Transfer Issues: No, all classes taken were purely for elective credit.
Course Name/Rating:

Issues in Israeli Society and Politics

Course Department: Politics
Instructor: Yoni Kaplan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course covered a cornucopia of pertinent issues, past and present, that have occured and are occuring in Israeli Society. Issues include, disengagement, human rights, gender equality etc. The professor is exremely knowledgable in this material as he has been an Israeli citizen from the 70s. He is impartial and open to all opinions which is really important in a class that brings up such touchy issues. The class comprised of lecture and a lot of open discussion amoungst the students. It was really nice to hear differing opinions about all the hot topics discussed.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, all classes taken were purely for elective credit.
Course Name/Rating:

In the Community

Course Department: Internship
Instructor: Yuval Tsur
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was in addition to a required 8 hour internship that I did with an international PR firm Ruder Finn at their offices in Jerusalem. The course was taught by a former elite pilot in the Israeli Army who also has a Phd in Organizational Psychology. He taught us various business models and how they could be applied to the different organizations that we were at. This class was taught once a week as a supplement to the actual internship. In this class we were able to voice our concerns about our different internships. Many students worked for different non-profit organizations in Jerusalem including, JNF, the Speilberg Film Archives, Archeological internships etc. Sometimes the class was a little unneccesary because it met too often and some material wasnt applicable to some of the organizations that students interned at. Otherwise it was a pleasure.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, all classes taken were purely for elective credit.
Course Name/Rating:

Israeli Songs

Course Department: Hebrew
Instructor: Chen Tityun
Instruction Language: Hebrew
Comments: This class replaced the required hebrew intensive class because I placed out of the hebrew classes. This class examined Israeli culture and history through music. We learned about the early music of Israeli pioneers through contemporary music, like rap, of today. There were group presentations of different Israeli music styles throughout the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, all classes taken were purely for elective credit.