College and University Trips to Israel *

College and University Trips to Israel

I myself came to Israel on what is now called a “Gap Tour” – a year of study in Israel between high school and college. This is one of the most popular College and University Trips to Israel. My particular course was composed of five months of Hebrew language study in an Ulpan, three months farming on a kibbutz, one month working on a moshav, one month of volunteer work with new immigrants and of course one of the best tours of Israeli attractions. This “Gap Tour” was very meaningful for me and changed my life. Think about this seriously for yourself or your children.

Plan an itinerary that exactly suits the needs of the students and which also fulfill the school’s requirements. Here are a few samples of the kind of trips you can do for colleges and universities:

• Short programs tailored to a particular faculty (e.g., law, nursing, business, to name only a few)
• Short programs which serve as an introduction to Israeli society and which are open to the entire student body
• Immersion courses in the Hebrew language
• Programs centering around a volunteering component
• Semester-long or year-long programs arranged by collaboration with Israel’s leading academic institutions.  Can include Hebrew-language study.

The most popular college and university trips to Israel are listed below:

Birthright Israel provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26. Free 10-day trips to Israel to college students and young adults who have not previously traveled to Israel on a peer trip.

Masa Israel Journey gives 18-to-30-year-old Jews life-changing experiences in Israel, connecting them to programs that meet their interests, offering scholarships, providing expertise, and supporting them throughout the entire process. Your Gateway to Long-term Israel Programs, enables thousands of Jewish young adults to spend a semester to a year in Israel in over 150 approved programs by providing information, contacts, grants and more.

World Zionist Organization Hagshama offers information on various short- and long-term programs in Israel.

Livnot U’Lehibanot Livnot programs combine community service with hiking, touring and learning, allowing participants to explore their Jewish roots. Programs range from one week to five months.

Israel Summer Business Academy
ISBA is a collaboration between the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis and the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya.  This is an opportunity for undergrads to study and immerse themselves in the Israeli business environment.  The ISBA is a six-week summer program and course credit will transfer back to a student’s home institution.

Undergraduate Study Abroad
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers Israel’s first and largest Undergraduate Study Abroad Program, welcoming international students who have completed one academic year of higher education study and have the desire to study in Israel for a semester or a year. A large variety of courses are offered in English in Religious, Israel and Middle Eastern Studies, Business, Psychology, Law, Brain and Behavioral Sciences. Special study tracks are available in Art, Dance, Music, Arabic Immersion, Quantitative Biology, and informal Jewish Education.

Tel Aviv University International offers a broad selection of degree and short-term programs, all taught exclusively in English. Programs are designed for students who are eager to challenge themselves with a demanding academic schedule that combines classroom study, field trips, overnight excursions, social events, and more. TAU International students gain real-world professional expertise through internships, guest lectures and workshops with Israel’s leading experts.

The Israel Experience Program  The One Year Program for Overseas students at Bar Ilan University, titled “The Israel Experience”, offers the benefits of a relatively small, intimate program (limited to 100 English-speaking students), combined with the resources an infrastructure of a top-notch University.

The University of Haifa International School academic programs grant a unique study abroad experience where students can combine challenging academics with the opportunity to immerse in an Israeli university setting and become a part of a caring community. The International School offers courses in Hebrew and Arabic languages, Contemporary Israel and Middle East Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Psychology, Business and Economics, Communications, Sociology, Literature, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Global Law, as well as an academic internship program.