Israel is a great country! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

On-site administration of your program

The staff was wonderful about helping with any problems, and with the programs that they did plan. However, we were not integrated in any way into the regular school, and help was not given unless we asked for it specifically. Often there were opportunities that I hadn't thought to ask for, but could have made my experience a lot better if they had offered. Also, there was not really an orientation to the country. For many of the students who had never been before, the beginning was more than overwhelming. For example, they never explained what coins represented what, or how to buy food.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Talia dorms. Very nice dorms. I had my own room and bathroom with a shared kitchen area with my other four roommates. I did have one Israeli roommate that was seldom there. Perhaps my biggest complaint was that placement seemed random, and several times international students were placed in an apartment with only international students.

You need to cook your own. All of the apartments do have kitchens which include a refrigerator, a sink, and two hotplates. Some people were fortunate enough to have roommate that brought a microwave, toaster oven, or paninni maker. Some people did not have any pots and pans or dishes and silverware at all. Not only was did they have to buy some supplies that they would not be able to take back with them, but finding them was hard in a foreign country. We all had trouble with the food right away, because we didn't know what we could use from our kitchens or where to buy food to cook.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In Haifa, it really helps to know Hebrew. There is not as much tourism here as in Jerusalem or to a less extent Tel Aviv, so you feel more a part of the culture when you go any where. That being said, everybody on campus spoke English. However, we were not integrated with the campus culture AT ALL. I only had opportunities to meet people from the international school, and did not know any Israelis apart from my roommates.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There weren't any prevalent health issues, and I didn't need any vaccines. One strange thing about the university is that it has a clinic, but the healthcare that they give the international students doesn't cover a clinic visit.

I felt very safe in Haifa. It is in Israel, so safety is always a concern. Entering campus, we were supposed to show ID. There are areas in America that I would not walk at night, being a woman. I very seldom felt that this was the same in Israel. Small safety things like fire doors, or rigorous health codes were not there. However, Israel does take terror safety very seriously. You will have your bags checked before entering any malls, large buildings, or street fairs or parties. Also, you should always keep your head about you. If you ever see an unattended bag you should report it.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Traveling definitely added expenses.

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

I felt bad about my Hebrew in class, so if made me more reluctant to use it.

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• Dorm
• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• Haifa is not Americanized.
• Everyone is very nice!
• Israel is amazing!

• More religious support.
• More integration into campus life.
• Better orientation