A United States Department of State Travel Warning is currently in effect for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.  Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country.  State Department Travel Warnings may be viewed at United States Department of State website. Students are advised to read the Travel Warning carefully and to also read the Consular Information Sheet for Israel. The State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country.

Program Provider: Tel Aviv University

Program Site: Lowy School for Overseas Students, located on Tel Aviv University's spacious 220-acre campus just north of the city and a short distance from downtown.

Duration: Spring or Year. Spring semester runs from early February to early June, academic year runs from early August to early June.

Description: Situated on the Mediterranean coastline, Tel Aviv is Israel's second largest city and cultural capital. It is also the major economic hub, home of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, many corporate offices, and research and development centers. Its beaches, upscale shopping and secular lifestyle have made it a popular tourist destination. Students can also enjoy Bauhaus architecture, cafes and clubs at the old harbor, open air markets, street festivals, and the charm of old Jaffa with its artist colony.

Consistently ranked as one of the top universities worldwide, Tel Aviv University is Israel's largest academic institution, boasting a diverse and dynamic student body. It is a major center of teaching and research, comprising nine faculties, 106 departments, and 90 research institutes. The School for Overseas Students allows students to learn Hebrew and absorb the fascinating land and culture of Israel while taking content courses in English.

Academics: All students attend a four-week intensive Hebrew language course, or Ulpan, prior to the beginning of the semester (those with sufficient knowledge of Hebrew are exempt). Courses are then chosen from a variety of disciplines including Israeli, Judaic, and Middle Eastern Studies, international relations, archeology, literature and political science. All courses are taught in English, but students are expected to study Hebrew. Students with proven proficiency in Hebrew may attend some regular departmental courses at Tel Aviv University.

Sample courses:
-    The Essence of Judaism
-    Israeli Politics
-    Islam, Politics, and Terror in the Middle East
-    20th Century Israeli Art
-    Israel and the Environment
   
Course load and Credit: Students take five courses and can earn a maximum of 16 USC units for spring semester or 32 units for the year.

Accommodations: The dormitories are divided into suites of one or two bedrooms, with two students assigned to each room. The suites are small apartments, each having a kitchen, dining area and bathroom shared by the suite occupants. Students may also choose to live off campus.

Activities and Other Program Features: The school organizes a wide variety of extracurricular activities, designed to enlarge and deepen student awareness of and contact with Israeli life and culture. The newly established Beit Hillel also offers a many individual and group cultural and religious activities.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA and two semesters of college-level Hebrew (or the equivalent). 

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition..............................$9,300
Additional Expenses*........$10,036
Total...............................$19,336

Cost Updated: 6/22/08
Text Updated: 8/19/08


*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:

Tel Aviv University

Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles

Israeli Tourist Information

Lonely Planet Israel

Lonely Planet Tel Aviv