Israel Excavation: AMAZING!!!!!!!! Past Review
By Andre S (Religion/Anthropology, Trinity University) for
Huqoq Excavation Project
YES! It was an amazing experience that gave me insight to the current conflict in the east as well as greatly impacted my academic interests. It solidified my desire for a career in archaeology and gave me an insider look into what I would be doing in the future. First hand experience is always the best in these situations.
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. |
Over all this program is an amazing educational experience. You gain cultural, historical, religious, political, and academic knowledge that you could not gain any where else. This program was more of an experience. Teaching by a world famous archaeologist is the biggest opportunity an aspiring anthropologist or archaeologist could ask for. The grading is very fair and is more focused on your learning and ability to perform. This field school set the standard that I will judge others from. It not only taught lecture wise but gave you the experience of seeing the history behind the academics (the actual sites themselves!) |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations were beyond met. Things were done in a very efficient and organized manner. I did not have to worry about anything other than my travel time. I work with Israeli citizens who gave me insider knowledge about the country, its people and the politics. The size of the program offered a wide arrange of people but was small enough to create a cohesive group that bonded very well ove rhte course of the month. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a one room one bath room that was shared by two other girls. Despite the seemingly cramped space we were rarely in the room and only for sleeping or bathing. |
| * Food: |
The food is different. Its generally pretty good from the reign but the cooks tried to Americanize it a few times... Over all you shouldn't worry about it, its pretty good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Overall the cultural experience was one in a million. Everything was very educational and new. The field trips were AMAZING!!! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health and safety were taken very seriously. Never did I feel unsafe or in danger in any way. All medical issues were taken care of and you were not left alone when dealing with doctors. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | maybe 10 dollars? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Spending is done in one big shopping spree. My advice is that you create a budget, allow your self more than you think you'll send and allow yourself a certain amount per trip. I didn't really need to budget to carefully but make sure you know the exchange rate so you can get an idea on how much you are spending on in the market. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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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? | You cant be too organized with your paper work, you can always leave your stuff just not you passport! The type of student that would best fit this program is one that is very interested in archaeology and Israel. |
