A challenging, sometimes frustrating, but amazing and rewarding experience! Past Review
By Marisa E (Religious Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 10/07/2013 to 05/30/2014 with
University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School
I met amazing people. I got a unique perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I visited places that are holy to people of many different faiths. I had an amazing time.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics at the University of Haifa's International School are a joke. Don't expect to learn much in the classroom. However, not worrying about homework frees up time to explore the region and learn things that no textbook could possible teach. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The UHIS staff are friendly and helpful. Israeli bureaucracy, on the other hand, is notoriously slow and inefficient. Don't expect any governmental processes (visa changes or extensions, etc.) to happen quickly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms are small and not well-maintained. Some roommates are friendly and eager to help out, others are passive-aggressive and selfish. It's kind of a toss-up. UHIS has two different forms: Talia and Federman. Talia is worlds better than Federman. |
| * Food: |
Middle Eastern food is delicious. I picked up some amazing recipes while abroad. The dorms come equipped with small kitchens, so you'll do your own cooking. Grocery stores and the shuk are easily accessible by public transport, and restaurants are plentiful. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Haifa is a diverse and multi-cultural city. It is a great place to experience many different cultures and to see how those cultures interact and mix. At UHIS, it is possible to stay in your small, English-speaking study-abroad bubble. Don't do that. Go out, explore, meet all kinds of people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
All participants are required to have health insurance through the University of Haifa. I never had cause to use it, but those who did didn't have any issues. Israel has the highest number of doctors per capita, and is one of the best places in the world for medical care. |
| * Safety: |
Travelling to Israel is a risk. As of July 2014, that risk is greatly heightened. UHIS has all kinds of safety measures in place: bomb shelters, evacuation plans, warning systems, etc. We didn't receive thorough instructions about how to respond to a threat, frankly because no one expected anything to happen. Haifa is relatively safe, and the school has taken measures to protect its students. However, Israel is at the heart of a violent conflict in an unstable region. |
| 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? | $80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring enough cosmetics, skincare, sunscreen, etc. from home to last for your entire time abroad. These things are hard to find in Israel, selection is limited, and prices are ridiculous. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Everyone speaks English, but many Israelis will speak Hebrew with you if you try. There is little to no institutional support for Arabic speakers. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Speak! Talk to people, they're usually eager to help you practice, even if you suck . |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | Israel seriously shuts down on Shabbat: Friday afternoon to Saturday night. There is no public transport, restaurants close, and families go inside. Don't plan to travel during this time; you won't be able to get anywhere. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
