Israel is a great country! Past Review

By (Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 06/10/2012 with

University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am a lot more independent, and I have no problem navigating in Israel by myself. It was definitely worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

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.

* Housing:

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.

* Food:

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.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

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.

* Health Care:

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.

* Safety:

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.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Traveling definitely added expenses.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy fruits and veggies at the Shuk.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Advanced intermediate Hebrew
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? Always speak Hebrew to the bus drivers, store clerks, etc. Make some Israeli friends and speak to them in Hebrew. If you don't know any Israelis, speak to your friends in Hebrew.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Haifa is not Americanized.
  • Everyone is very nice!
  • Israel is amazing!
* What could be improved?
  • More religious support.
  • More integration into campus life.
  • Better orientation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to ask for more religious support.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Hebrew Ulpan

Course Department: Hebrew Dept.
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Hebrew
Comments: I really did not feel that this course taught me much Hebrew. We read scholastic texts that we way above my level, and were often given long vocabulary lists of non-essential words to memorize for tests. Words about things like architecture, when I needed to be learned about the words for everyday objects. In addition, grammar was taught by opening the book to the page that had examples of a grammar concept and writing it on the board. There was no explanation, and she never broke down the concepts to make sure we understood them. Tests would include vocabulary words that we not on any lists.
Credit Transfer Issues: