<p>I'm currently in the middle of deciding where I want to go for my off-campus semester next year and have pretty much nailed it down to three countries: Jordan, Egypt and Israel. I have a bunch of information about the first two from my college, but basically nothing about the last one. I was wondering if anyone here ever studied abroad in Israel, more precisely at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and could tell me something about their overall experience. How are the classes itself? How is it living in Jerusalem? Anything else?</p>
<p>you might try looking for a facebook page about a group that is studying in Isreal - my dd has a bff who was there was she was in one of the other two places you named…there were facebook groups for all I believe…</p>
<p>Okay thanks, I will do that.</p>
<p>hey -</p>
<p>you might also wanna check out this website. its like a yelp for study abroad and has reviews of study abroad programs. here is the link to review for hebrew U in jerusalem:</p>
<p>[Study</a> Abroad Program Reviews of Direct Enrollment: Jerusalem - Hebrew University | Abroad101](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/programs/direct-enrollment-jerusalem-hebrew-university]Study”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/programs/direct-enrollment-jerusalem-hebrew-university)</p>
<p>you can click on each snippet of the review to see the longer ones that give more details.</p>
<p>So I studied abroad in Israel but not in the Hebrew University. I can tell you that living in Jerusalem can be very rewarding. The Old City and the Western Wall are a beautiful place no matter what your religion. The bus system is AMAZING because you can basically take one to anywhere in Israel. Since Jerusalem is a mostly religious city, ALL buses and stores are closed on the Sabbath (Saturday) and every Jewish holiday. I can go on and on, so let me know if you have any specific questions about living in Jerusalem and Israel.</p>
<p>Thanks. </p>
<p>I was wondering how expensive living in Israel in general is? What should I calculate for food, public transportation an other things?</p>
<p>Would you need to buy food for every meal? The food is pretty well priced, especially if you shop at the big supermarkets. Some things that are not their specialties (like breakfast cereals or hot dogs) come out more expensive. But dairy products (yogurts, butter, milk, etc) and falafel, etc. are pretty cheap. I spent about 40 shekel (~11 dollars) for breakfast per month (my other meals were provided for). I spent another 80 shekel (~20 dollars) on snacks per month. Eating out is also pretty reasonable. There are a lot of great restaurants in Jerusalem. The supermarkets do sell American products, but for a ripped off price. </p>
<p>Transportation is great because the buses go EVERYWHERE! I spent a lot on transportation because I frequently traveled around the country. I went out of Jerusalem almost every weekend. It probably came to be around 40 dollars a month for public transportation (but I never took taxis, only buses). During vacation, I spent more because I traveled more. ]</p>
<p>Also, there are some American type clothing stores in the Jerusalem malls. The clothes can come out to be expensive so make sure you bring everything you need with you. And its nearly impossible to find good shoes there. </p>
<p>Anything else? I’ll be happy to share…</p>
<p>OMG I LOVEEEEE Israel!!! I went to Hebrew U for the spring semester of my junior year. I can talk forever! I have returned for the following summers to attend Hebrew ulpan at Haifa and Yiddish summer program at Tel Aviv U so I can tell you. </p>
<p>In a nutshell, Hebrew U has a top rated program all around. They are very serious about teaching you Hebrew in all skills. Haifa is very strong well but you will definitely get good at conversational Hebrew because English isn’t spoken as widely as in Jerusalem. So you’ll hear “mah sha’ah?” when you’re waiting for the bus rather than “What time is it?” as you would in Jerusalem. I’m not sure about Tel Aviv but I’ve heard it’s okay but most kids are interested in partying… because Tel Aviv… is there.</p>
<p>Transportation is run by the government so it WILL largely shut down on Shabbat. Buses stop running about an hour before Shabbat starts (so you will definitely need to check the Egged bus schedule every Friday and Saturday) and run again an hour afterward on Saturday nights. It’s doable as long as you plan well so you can return in time for your Sunday class, if you have one during the semester. People go down to Eilat regularly but it’s a fairly quick trip as it’s a 4 hour bus trip through the Negev. The city bus systems are excellent and you can pretty much get anywhere with minimal transfer. The 10/12 ride bus passes are reasonably priced. In Haifa and Tel Aviv, there is SOME public transportation but I don’t think it’s worth the time really looking for them. You’re better off finding a shereut (shared taxi, usually for 5 -6 shekels) or take a cab down to the beach or wherever else you want to go.</p>
<p>I would say living, if frugally, on 50 shekels a day for food is possible in all cities. Cereals are about 20 shekels ($4) and the Israeli brands are pretty decent. So don’t splurge on the American brands. Bring your peanut butter if you must have peanut butter as it’s like $5 compared to $1.50 in the US. Shop at the shuk (open air market)- it’s a true Israeli experience to wander up and down the aisles, hear the sellers shout in Hebrew, and engage with them. Buy fresh bread and pitas from them. There’s nothing like smelling warm pita just coming out of the oven. Also homemade hummus at these places are seriously good and cheaper than in the stores (about 5 shekels compared to 10-15). Supersol is generally the largest supermarket chain and I think it’s alright.</p>
<p>I would say, overall, about $2,000-$3,000 is what you will need for spending money (if housing and tuition are already covered) over the course of 4-7 months to have the fullest experience, which includes travel within the country, and perhaps to Petra and Cairo (it’s possible if you take 3-4 days). Since I already knew I’d go back to Israel, I was able to live off less than $500 a month, and just not rush into anything and enjoyed my “home.”</p>
<p>Be sure to be careful how much you use your cellphone. The bills can run up pretty fast when you’re so used to unlimited plans that we have in the US. In Israel, the cell plan you’ll be in will be “pay as you go.” That includes charges for every call you make within and outside of Israel and to other cell networks, and text message you send.</p>
<p>I agree about clothes. Unless you’re willing to shop for bargains in the shuk, bring whatever you need. Israelis do actually order from abroad for quality clothes (or they ask relatives to shop for them). They shop at shuks and in malls only because they have to and can afford to be trendy. If you’re a gal, I definitely, definitely recommend finding beautiful long skirts in shuks. I’ve bargained for them and absolutely love them (and got a LOT of compliments). Shoes are actually okay. My best pairs of sandals are actually from Israel. One is a pair of Naot, in which I bought on my birthright trip in a factory. Another is from the Christian Quarter in the Old City that my friend and I bargained for 60 shekels for each of us. Very, very comfortable and beautiful looking.</p>
<p>My 3 Golden Rules for Cabs in Jerusalem (these won’t work in Haifa or Tel Aviv):
- Always, ALWAYS speak Hebrew to start with. The cab driver’s more likely to be willing to haggle for price. Haifa drivers are more likely to be honest with their routes because of the way Haifa is set up, that there aren’t really any “long” or “short” cuts to drive up/down the fares. By haggling in Jerusalem, you are going to force the driver to get you to your destination ASAP and not “circle.”
- Never pay more than 20 shekels, if you’re by yourself, or 30 with a group, anywhere beyond the Center of the city from Hebrew U. If the cabbie says no, I want 40, wave him off. Sometimes he’ll give in, other times you’ll just move on to another driver.
- Never say “Kfer/Kfar Ha’Studentim” to cabbies if you’re trying to get home from anywhere in Jerusalem. Always say “Har Ha’Tzofim”. This will save you 5 shekels. Works. Every. Single. Time. The cabbie will drive up to the roundabout near the campus and ask you where you want to be drop off. He’ll exclaim and grumble when you tell him to drive you to the gate, which is a quarter mile up. Too bad, deal’s done! (It’s an ethical rule that the deal’s sealed between you and the cabbie when you get in the car and nothing can be reversed.)</p>
<p>If you seriously have any more questions, please PM me :)</p>
<p>^ lol, laughing about having to speak Hebrew with the cabdrivers… Once they hear you’re a “rich” American, they totally rip you off.<br>
Also, another tip is to be careful about which cabs you get into. Make sure they are a known, safe company and not just a private driver. </p>
<p>What was your favorite part about living in Jerusalem or in Israel?</p>