Israel: Haifa - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

Name: Israel: Haifa - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
Brand: USAC
SKU: 19257
Rating: 7.4 (5 reviews)

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About

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.

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

Preparing to Study Abroad in 2021

We are planning for 2020-21 programs to proceed abroad. Learn more about how we are preparing for our students to enjoy a safe and meaningful experience overseas. You can also find a variety of helpful COVID-19 resources for students and families.

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Scholarships

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 - $1,000

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

7.4 Rating

based on 5 reviews

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Study

Academics 6.6
Support 5.4
Fun 7.2
Housing 7.8
Safety 8.8

Showing 1 - 5 of 5

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.

The Church of Beatitudes where Jesus historically spoke. This is a Roman Catholic Church near Capernaum.

On the Mediterranean Sea next to the city of Akko.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Female Headshot

Why did you decide to go abroad with your provider?

Jade: I decided to study with USAC because it was the most affordable option, friendliest staff, and my credits would transfer directly.

In addition, my parents had a few concerns with me traveling to Israel and USAC was able to provide information regarding my safety abroad.

They assisted me in applying for scholarships, obtaining my visa, and ensuring my courses and housing was all set prior to arrival.

Describe a goal you set and how you went about accomplishing it.

Jade: My goal while I was in Israel was to really understand what the local people thought about the conflict between Palestine and Israel. In order to do this, I immersed myself into the culture and met a variety of wonderful people.

I began by choosing to live with Israeli Arabs, which included Muslims, Christians, and Druze girls. By living with girls of all religions, I was able to see the similarities and differences they had on the conflict.

I also joined a women’s rugby team to make friends and know Israeli’s on a deeper level. In addition, I played soccer with people from the dormitories every Saturday. Through these activities, I met the most amazing people and made lasting friendships. This allowed me to discuss important issues affecting them and their feelings on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

What was the best place you visited outside of your home-base city?

Jerusalem

Jade: My favorite city was Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It's very easy to travel around the entire country, so visiting these places is a must. Tel Aviv is filled with nightlife and fun! The beaches are great to relax on and everything is in walking distance. Jerusalem is an entirely different experience, but in a good way. It's filled with faith and beauty. The old city is a beautiful place with endless things to see and food to eat.

If you could do-over one thing, what would it be?

Jade: If I could go abroad to Haifa, Israel again, I would stay longer. Although I was there for six months, I was not ready to leave when my departure date arrived. It took me a bit of time to get adjusted to the culture and create a new life for myself, and I was only able to enjoy that for a few months. I wish I could have extended my time to fully embrace the life of an Israeli.

In addition, I would have spent more time and money on traveling the country more thoroughly. I was constantly worried about money while I was there, and I wish I would have taken full advantage of being placed in one of the most incredible locations in the world. The country may be the size of New Jersey, but there are endless amounts of attractions.

About USAC

USAC is a non-profit consortium of U.S. universities that collaborates to offer affordable, academic and authentic study abroad programs. There are abundant opportunities to immerse in the culture, history, and academics of other countries providing an unforgettable experience. Each program is designed to help you grow into an engaged citizen of...

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Israel: Haifa - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

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