Kiss and Tel Aviv: The Best Experience of my Life! Past Review

By Hana L (EDUCATION., University of Hartford) for

Tel Aviv University: Undergraduate Semester / Year in Israel

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I understood a better view of Israeli culture from an inside's perspective-life, school, people, and definitely politics. I lived with a Palestinian from the West Bank, and that alone helped me change my views of the Arab-Israeli conflict, something I've been struggling with my entire life, and even moreso now. Living here as definitely changed what I thought I knew about Israel, and has impacted my future plans. I want to move back to Israel one day, and do some kind of work with Israel-not sure what.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	We had an Overseas Students Office, and they were absolutely wonderful with everything. Even though their were 250 of us, they were so helpful if we had problems in the dorms, with school, or just needed to talk., They even took me to the hospital once when I was sick, since I had an issue with the language barrier. They came with us on trips, parties, everything. It added a little structure to the program, without making me feel like I wasn't studying abroad. It was just right. They were very knowledgeable about our needs as far as credits and school, America, and everything. I think they really were a great part of the OSP program.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	We lived in Ramat Aviv, which is where the University is-It is a suburb of Tel Aviv. It is outside of the city, but only a bus ride away from all the life. I liked that it was in the suburb, because it was quiet, and right near the beach. We also could walk right across the street to school. Nearby was the mall, a few restaurants, the famous HaYarkon park-we did need to buy a few items to settle in, one pan and a pot, some silverware, food-but among four people it was not bad.
* Food:	Israeli food is amazing! So healthy-fruit, vegetables, so many delicious dairy products-and everything kosher-amazing restaurants-we cooked food, but there are great restaurants on campus as well, so many cafeterias-there are so many choices everywhere, you will never be hungry! There are supermarkets nearby, almost too many, and Israel has food for gluten free, lactose free, whatever your restrictions are.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Everything outside the classroom was awesome. Living in Tel Aviv you get a sense of Metropolitan Israel-The city, the beaches, the malls, the people, the restaurants, the markets, everything. And you are living there, so since Israel is only the size of New Jersey, you can easily take public transportation everywhere to see the other sides of Israel. We got to see this on field trips as well, which involved hiking, touring, and an exclusive view of Israel.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Safety in Israel is very interesting. I could walk on the streets at three in the morning and not be worried about a thing, no matter where I was. However, Israel is a state which is constantly being attacked on all sides-there is no sugar coating this. When I was there, there were two terrorist attacks. One in Jerusalem, and one in Tel Aviv. There were also missles being fired from Gaza into areas near Ashkelon, about 30 minutes south of Tel Aviv, every day. However, Israel has very, very extreme safety precautions for situations like these, such as siren alerts, bomb shelters in every building, and an army that you can even see walking in the street on your way to get a coffee. Tel Aviv, being a modern city away from a lot of the chaos typically faces no threat, and the amount of security checks in EVERY building (medical detectors and personal checks) may feel as a violation at first, but made me feel extremely safe. As far as Health Care-It was a bit annoying, but had it's benefits where America doesn't. Health Care is free in Israel, and everyone has access to Insurance. However, getting a doctor is difficult, and a long process. First you have to go to a clinic, where the wait can take up to an hour, and then they decide to send you to an actual doctor. If it is a true emergency, it is better to go to the Emergency Room. However, Israel is known to have to best doctors, and they are rather quick here. Also, most prescriptions are free! Oh, and doctors make House Calls. I did not need any Vaccines.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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?	I spent around 400 NIS on food each month, which is around 100 dollars-also my roommate and I shared food so sometimes it was less. Sometimes I ate out for lunch, but I tried to save by cooking. Going to the Shuk (the open market) helped save a lot because the food is much cheaper. Also, purchasing a bus pass helped because we took the bus a lot (I personally did not buy a bus pass and I made out even). I spent on going out once or twice a weekend, and we tried to save by splitting cabs, or taking the bus at least one way, because busses stopped at midnight. We tried to not buy alcohol at clubs, or find good deals at clubs because that could get expensive. Also, we did not buy clothes unless it was near the shuk-all the clothes are imported from America and are taxed-NOT WORTH IT! Instead, buying gifts that are unique to Israel, artsy stuff, (There is an art fair by the shuk hacarmel every tuesday and friday), or the shuks in Jerusalem,-things like that, are good things to buy for gifts. It is very important to give yourself a budget when studying abroad.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	None really. Studying Abroad is a time when you want to have fun, and go out, and probably spend more than usual. It is fine to do that, as long as you are smart about your money. If you go out twice in one week, maybe spend less on going out to eat the next week. If you are planning a trip down to Eilat (which can be kind of pricy), don't spend money on going to a club one weekend. Not too difficult.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
Language acquisition improvement?	I practiced language with friends, everyday people...counselors-anyone! I didn't need to use the language because everyone speaks English in Israel, but I liked to use it to practice.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans Other
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The type of student who would appreciate this the most is definitely someone Jewish-it is the Jewish State and it is easier to connect to in that way. However, I knew plenty of Non-Jews who were on the program and still were able to experience the culture, just in a different way. People who love history, art, culture, etc. would love Tel Aviv. My words of wisdom would be what I learned from the Study Abroad office at my school before I left-Take advantage of every single opportunity here. It is a once in a lifetime experience to try things you may never get to try again so just take risks and do everything you possibly can.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Struggle of Palestine-The Arab Israeli Conflict
Course Department:
Instructor:	Zissenwine
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was extremely interesting-we learned both sides of the Arab -Israeli conflict from an unbiased view point and a historical sense-however, it was a "struggle" to stay awake-the professor was not engaging. I did not participate- I also felt their were too many students in the class. However, in the end I really felt I did learn a lot from the class.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	20th Century Israel Art
Course Department:
Instructor:	Schusterman
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Interesting class-But Art is not really my thing, I do not recommend taking it unless you like art, I only took it because I needed at AUCA credit. However it was cool to learn about the culture of Israel through this lens.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	JESNA-Jewish Education Realties and Vision
Course Department:
Instructor:	Michael Weiger
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class is sponsored by Lainer-Masa Interns, a program based by JESNA in North America. It teaches you about Jewish Education in North America, and the class helps you get set up with Internships and Mentors in the following academic year. Throughout the course you go on many feild trips that were really fun! I now currently have an internship with JESNA! This class was not part of the overseas program directly, but only overseas students were in it.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Ulpan
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Hebrew/English
Comments:	Amazing. It was so awesome to learn another language. I already knew some Hebrew going in, but learning it at the intensity the teachers taught it to us was really a true experience that someone can only get in Israel.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Israeli Politics
Course Department:
Instructor:	Shain
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Best teacher. He worked at the Knesset and although he didn't teach us any curriculum material, the stuff he talked to us about Israel and the real current issues going on was nothing I could get out of a textbook. It was an awesome class. However, sometimes he would go on buisness trips and we wouldn't have class-But it was not a big deal.
Credit Transfer Issues: