Location
  • Israel
    • Haifa
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Communications Conflict Studies Economics International Relations Jewish Studies Literature Middle Eastern Studies Psychology Religious Studies
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors Masters
Housing
Dormitory
Language
English
Oct 25, 2023
Dec 23, 2019
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

USAC has teamed up with the University of Haifa in Israel to offer a unique experience to students looking to study abroad in the Middle East. Courses are taught in English, Arabic and Hebrew at the university, with concentrations on Israel/Middle Eastern Studies, Hebrew and Arabic languages, Peace, Conflict and Religious Studies, and more.

Haifa is Israel's third largest city and is known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. Students will be able to explore the city and its people in an attempt to understand a region that has evolved due to various factors over thousands of years.

SPRING 2024 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. USAC has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.

Accessibility Support

USAC is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

Impact

Sustainability

Environmentally-conscious students choose USAC because many of our programs are held in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. There are options to take coursework in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country.

Program Highlights

  • Challenge yourself to understand a region of cultural, political, and religious importance from ancient to modern times
  • Experience the cultural diversity of the Middle East
  • Study Hebrew or Arabic at all levels of proficiency; or choose courses from a variety of other disciplines
  • Enjoy the scenery and climate of a Mediterranean city and campus adjacent to a national park

Scholarships

USAC logo

USAC Scholarships and Financial Aid

USAC awards over $2 million in scholarships and discounts each year to assist students with their study abroad expenses.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
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Program Reviews

4.20 Rating
based on 5 reviews
  • 5 rating 40%
  • 4 rating 40%
  • 3 rating 20%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.4
  • Support 3
  • Fun 3.8
  • Housing 4.2
  • Safety 4.6
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Default avatar
Elisheva
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

I really loved the classes; they were interesting and were subjects that I could not find on my home campus. I got to learn about the culture of the people living in Israel and surrounding areas from people who live there. I loved how they gave me a lot of time to travel throughout the country so I could take advantage of the opportunity to be abroad. Getting to know Haifa and the broader Israel was really fun and exciting. I got to meet people not only from Israel, but from all over the world. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

What would you improve about this program?
The administration did not give us enough information during the orientation and the trips they brought us on were not the greatest. A person has to figure out some things by themselves or ask specific questions.
84 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emily
4/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Wonderful pace, okay campus, not great support

Pros: Beautiful city, beautiful campus, very stimulating and discussion based classes, professors really care and are willing to take time to help you, great region if studying politics, conflict, religion, or archaeology

Cons: The school was pretty segregated from the rest of the town. It was a bit of a bus ride, and the buses didn't really run on Shabat, so you felt stranded. The university felt very Americanized, not much different from my home university. Also, the International School's administration was an absolute joke. They were not good at responding to problems, especially promptly. I had an issue with my internship, and was berated by the program director when I brought it up to her. I did not feel supported or heard, at all. They had an 'open door policy', but we joked that it meant nothing because no one was ever there that could help.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I don't know if surprising is the right word--impactful would probably be a better choice--but I got to help set up a photography exhibit about the Holocaust at the university's museum. I then got to attend the opening night, and was able to watch survivors walk through the exhibit and talk with a few of them, in my very remedial Hebrew, afterwards. It was so many things--emotional, tear jerking, heavy--but it was an experience I will always treasure and probably the most impactful experience I had during this program.
82 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amanda
3/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Not a personal favorite

Overall I did not enjoy this program. I feel I should have went with another program. The application process for the University of Haifa was confusing. The application did not have a summer term or the classes USAC had listed on their website. I didn't get accepted to the program until 2 DAYS before the program started. The University of Haifa is very disorganized. I had no idea where to go. I was not taking language intensive classes. However, they put me with an Israeli roommate who did not speak English. I only took a class on terrorism, which was great! USAC says they offer tours which the University of Haifa sets up, no tours were offered. That upset me the most.

88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Athena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Perfect Place for Political Science Students

Israel was an incredible place to study as an International Affairs major. I learned first hand what the prominent political views and ideologies are that affect the situation in Israel. I've read a lot about Israel, but the only way to truly understand the country is to go.

What would you improve about this program?
The classes offered through the University of Haifa could be improved. Many of the teachers were disorganized. Both the Hebrew and Arabic courses are great though!
78 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jade
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved it!

Studying in Israel was a fabulous experience full of culture, diversity, and joy. The university is only 20 minutes away from the Mediterranean Sea and train station. Public transportation is easy to use and really affordable. Greatest time of my life!

75 people found this review helpful.
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