Time in Israel brought me closer to my roots Past Review
By Maya S (Sociology, Hebrew, The University of Texas at Austin) for
University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School
I'm not sure, I overworked myself this semester and it didnt seem worth the large amount of trouble I went through in order to get here. I believe this is also due to the study abroad program at my home university because after talking with several of the other international students, they did not have to endure the same process as myself in order to study in Israel. I would not have undergone the same level of stress if I would have just stayed at home for the semester - it may have been more worth it if I were going to be here for the year.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were slightly disorganized and seemed overwhelmed by the large amount of students in the program, but overall were very supportive and gave everyone a great experience of Haifa. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Dorms office was not very helpful and extremely disorganized, but the housing situation was excellent in putting international students with Israelis - improved my Hebrew immensely and I was able to go with my roommates to visit their families. |
| * Food: |
There is no meal plan for students, although of the campus cafes and restaurants are kosher and have excellent choices for food. There is also a mini-market located at the entrance to the dorms that is very convenient to go grocery shopping. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The Haifa University campus is well secured with multiple check in posts for people entering the school as well as the dorms area. Security is the main priority of the International school as making sure students have health care made available. At the beginning of the semester, we were all given insurance cards and a list of pharmacies and doctors we could call in case of illness or an emergency. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Hebrew with my Israeli roommates sharing the same flat as well as with locals at my internship - it was important to speak Hebrew in everyday interactions or it would have been very difficult to function while traveling around. Most people in the international school program spoke English - but again, around the local population it became difficult. The Ulpan Hebrew program was very beneficial and my professor was the best foreign language teacher I have had to date. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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