Most Inspiring Meaningful experience of my life Past Review

By (University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 06/15/2012 with

IFSA/Alliance: Jerusalem - Diversity and Coexistence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about what it means to be an artist. I learned a lot about Judiasm and my Russian Jewish identity. I learned to be more independent.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Hebrew University: Rothberg International School
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~100-150 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use Cash

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
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? "Aleph level Hebrew" -- Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Being in Jerusalem
  • Being able to learn about Judiasm
  • Being able to be completely immersed in the Arts
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Structure
  • More information should have been given to the students from the administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I was accepted into the program (the program never told me which program I was accepted into until I got to Israel)