Summer Course in Israel for International Students

 

 

Israeli universities offer a massive array of programs that take part only in summer. Students from all over the world choose to come to Israel and enjoy the sunny weather, meet new people and earn some credit points while participating in excellent programs, some are unique to Israel. Israel has much to offer, and a summer in the country can be truly unforgettable.

 

 

There are many summer programs available for undergraduate students as well as for grad students. The most popular are the language crash courses in Hebrew and in Arabic. Other popular programs usually have to do with Israel studies or Middle East studies, archeological excavations and more.

 

In addition, you can take summer tracks in various other subjects, for instance: health administration, food safety, law, business and economics, and engineering. All programs are in English.

 

Several universities from the US, Canada and Europe, including Harvard, MIT and Toronto University, offer to their students summer programs in Israeli academic institutions, as part of special cooperation.

 

 

You can choose a four or six week course in Hebrew or in Arabic. Courses are given in different levels to suit the students’ specific needs. These are not confined to the classroom as they include field trips, cultural events, dinner parties etc. aiming to give the students a taste of Israeli and Arabic culture in addition to language skills.

 

 

Israel has an ancient and fascinating history, and all the changes have left their mark. You can join excavations in Northern or Southern Israel (depends on the university that holds the digs).

 

 

The duration of tracks varies. However, most courses are 4 weeks long. Excavations programs usually last longer, 5 – 6 weeks. Students may stay only part of the archeological program, meaning that instead of earning four credit points, they will get only two. There are shorter programs that take place over three weeks’ time, for instance - the health programs and the human rights track.

 

 

 

Most programs require a GPA of 3.0 (80) or above. In some cases letters of recommendation and personal essays are also required.

 

 

Fees usually depend on the number of credit points earned. The language crash courses cost approx. $ 1,100 – 1,500. Excavation diggings are more expensive; the longer tracks (4 credit points) cost between $3,000 and $4,000, and the shorter tracks (2 credit points) cost approx. $2,200. The tuition fees of most of the other courses (usually 3-week tracks) are approx. $1,200 - $1,700. Housing expenses are usually $400 - $500.

 

 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem – offers more summer programs than any other Israeli university. Other than language courses, archeological diggings and Jewish and Israel studies, the Hebrew University also offers summer programs in law, business, psychology, conflict resolution and other areas.

 

Tel Aviv University – aside from language classes, it holds several tracks for international undergraduate students in business entrepreneurship, in history of Tel Aviv-Jaffa and in the roots of the Arab Spring. TAU also offers special programs for grad students such as Environmental Studies, Advanced Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Food Safety.

 

University of Haifa – in addition to language studies and archeological excavations, it also offers classes regarding Israel and the Middle East. Other programs include health programs for professionals in nursing and health administration (candidates must have completed their undergraduate degree and have several years of professional experience in their area of expertise).

 

Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Be’er-Sheva) – currently, it is the only institution to offer summer programs in German. German speaking students may join an excavation team in which the theoretical studies will be in German. BGU also offers a six week track in German in which students will learn Hebrew and attend lectures in German regarding Jewish studies and Israel Studies. The track includes weekly field trips. Aside from this, the university offers language courses and archeological diggings in southern Israel. In addition, the university offers a track in human rights in English.

 

Bar Ilan University (Ramat Gan) – Offers a summer program in conflict resolution. This four week certificate program is taught in English and includes an internship in think tanks and NGOs. Students can also participate in individual 6 day courses. The program is open to graduate and undergraduate degree holders from various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, as well as to current graduate or advanced undergraduate students in those fields. After completing all five required courses in this program, students receive academic credit points, as well as a certificate in conflict resolution.

 

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa) – offers the special track of engineering in developing countries. The program takes place in different country each year and provides practical experience, as students are expected to aid the local communities by participating in engineering and environmental projects. The Technion also offers programs in entrepreneurship and innovation as well as engineering and science courses for postgraduate and undergraduate students.

 

GIMI - Galilee International Management Institute (Nahalal, north) – offers two-week programs each summer; one is the Jewish and Israeli art tour, and the other focuses on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The courses include lectures and field trips. They do not credit the students with academic points.