Amazing Experience Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/24/2016 to 06/01/2017 with
University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School
I learn that the world is much more than what I hear in the news or social media.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics at the University of Haifa's International School were not rigorous as UT Austin, not even close. There is no need to worry about homework, I strongly recommend to explore Israel! I learn more about the Arab-Israeli conflict meeting Israelis and Arabs than my History Arab-Israeli Relations course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed and Federman, and these dorms are small and old. Thankfully, my roommates were friendly and helpful. |
| * Food: |
Food in the Middle East is different (from the USA food) but delicious. The Madrichim (Social Coordinators) will have workshops where they will teach you some delicious Israeli recipes, that can be a cook in the kitchen of the dorms. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was fortunate enough to get roommates who were local Israelis, and they introduce me to other Israelis. They show me around the area. I could say I felt integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everyone in the international school is required to have health insurance through the University of Haifa. I did use several times and like I said previously Israeli bureaucracy is inefficient, and there is no customer service. Medical staff usually do not speak good English and it becomes a problem. I recommend asking the friendly staff in the international school to schedule you an appointment. However, once you get to the doctors they are friendly and speak good English. |
| * Safety: |
Haifa is a safe city. Israel, in general, is safe. Never felt threatened in my stay. |
| 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? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not try to do foreign food all the time during your stay at Israel is becomes expensive. Get used to eating Middle Eastern food because is cheap to buy it. Go to the Druze market at Dalet Karmel is cheaper than other markets and is close (5 minutes by bus). |
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 |
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| 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? | Elementary Arabic II, and Hebrew Alef Part I |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice with the locals, I know at the beginning is embarrassing but that how you learn. Locals like that foreigners are trying to learn their native language and will help. |
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? | Knowing that during the holidays and Shabat the country shuts down. No public transportation. |
