Israel - choosing the extraordinary, getting the Past Review
By A student (Universität Mannheim / University of Mannheim) - abroad from 02/19/2017 to 06/01/2017 with
University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School
Israel is fascinating...you truly get the full package: culture clash & richness of history, religious melting pot, desert & sea, sun & mountains, inspiring cities, adventure & friendship, languages & 1000s-year-old traditions.
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. |
I benefited a lot from the courses I attended at the University of Haifa. For example, I learned about Entrepreneurship in Israel, participated in the internship program (great experience), acquired knowledge in Hebrew and obtained qualitative, tailored counselling in the career development course. In other words - my experience was not necessarily of high academic demand (due to my course choice), but was very useful and entertaining. |
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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? |
Liveable, for sure, not quite clean nor light, but I loved my flat mates and it was affordable after all. |
| * Food: |
Great but I so needed a falafel & shawarma break after my stay in Israel... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was easy to make friends, in Haifa, in Tel Aviv...Israeli people are very hospitable, I immediately felt at home. Moreover, on a personal note, I like that Israelis are straightforward, open, direct and heartfelt. To me it seemed natural to connect and identify with. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was lucky to not have experienced any health issue at all, the University offered an insurance package that covered the basics and made me feel secure. |
| * Safety: |
Safety has never been an issue. Before entering a mall, a bus station, the university or another public space you will be checked and need to pass your bags through metal detectors...and seeing a soldier in uniform every few metres, well, I have never felt safer. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was more than I was hoping for. Truly a life-changing experience. |
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) |
Israel is indeed expensive, food and alcohol in particular. But, to be honest, it is not too bad. If you watch your expenses in terms of restaurants, bars etc. you'll be fine. |
| 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? | Avoid spending too much time in Tel Aviv ;) |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Englisch C2 |
| 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? | Talk to locals, listen to local music, overhear conversations, try to read every sign and headline you encounter. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How chilly the weather still is until March/even April... |
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.' |
