Imagine a learning experience earning university credits combined with the romance of Israel's most renowned institution — the kibbutz. Thousands of university students from all over the world have tasted the experience of kibbutz life in Israel and have returned to their native lands with a more complete understanding of this unique and distinctly-Israeli way of life. Their experiences remain with them forever as a reminder of a wonderful time in their lives. For university students, this experience can also produce tangible results In the accumulation of credits toward degree requirements. This booklet outlines several programs of various length and content. All have the common thread of living and working on kibbutz. Complete information about these credit programs — as well as other kibbutz opportunities — Is available from the Kibbutz Aliya Desk, 27 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011, telephone (212) 255-1338.
The Kibbutz University Semester in Israel program, conducted in cooperation with Haifa University, is open to all fulltime undergraduate students who wish to participate in the unique academic experience of study in Israel while exploring the lifestyle of kibbutz. Up to 23 credit hours may be earned in the program. This is a group program which consists of working full-time on a kibbutz in the Haifa region for 8-10 weeks and a semester of study in the School for Overseas Students at Haifa University, with courses given in English. The program is offered in both the spring and fall semesters, departing late December and late July.
The kibbutz is a communal democratic society, agriculturally based, with industrial and service branches.
Participants work six days a week in a variety of jobs on the kibbutz. The program of study includes Hebrew (the world-renowned Ulpan method of language learning) and kibbutz-related subjects. Eighty hours of instruction are provided during this 8-10 week kibbutz period. Students also have the option of conducting research for a paper. During this period 7 credits may be earned: 4 for the Hebrew instruction, and 3 for the optional research paper.
Students are encouraged to participate in the cultural, social and educational aspects of kibbutz life.
The kibbutz will provide a small amount of pocket money for basic personal needs.
Costs
The program cost of $2,200.00 includes round trip airfare New York -— Tel Aviv — New York (with optional free stopover in Europe), university tuition, Hebrew Instruction on the kibbutz, full room and board on the kibbutz as well as personal services, and a 3-day seminar in Jerusalem.
It does not include the cost of trips while at Haifa University. Dormitory fees on campus for four months will cost approximately $85 per month, with food and incidental costs ranging between $150 and $200 per month. All fares and surface arrangements are listed at the dollar value in effect as of November 1, 1985 and are subject to change. Kibbutz Aliya Desk reserves the right to change land and air prices without notice.
Students in need of financial assistance may apply to the Scholarship Committee of the American Friends of Haifa University.
The Study Program
Sixteen credits can be earned at Haifa Universtiy for on-campus studies. Special research projects in a particular discipline, and internships with Haifa University professors (both for academic credit) may be available for students requesting them. This may require an additional monetary charge; if you are interested, inquire at the Kibbutz Aliya Desk. Participants in this unique program are personally responsible for determining whether these credits are acceptable for transfer to their North American universities.
All courses are taught in English by full-time members of the faculty. Students are required to study the Hebrew language (4 credit hours). Classes will be held on two to three levels designed to enable students to develop a degree of fluency in reading and communication In modern Hebrew. There are a variety of other courses offered, each worth 3 credit hours.
The program, co-sponsored by Kibbutz Aliya Desk and the Office of Academic Affairs of American Friends of the Hebrew University, includes 4 weeks on a kibbutz, one week of touring, and 3V2 weeks on the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Dates
A group flight departs from New York at the end of June, 1986. Participants receive a 6 month round-trip airline ticket, New York — Tel Aviv — New York; stopovers in Europe can be arranged.
The kibbutz month features a course: "The Kibbutz: Theory and Reality", taught by accredited Israeli university faculty which will include lectures about and observations of different facets of kibbutz society.
During the stay on kibbutz, participants will combine the equivalent of 5 days work and 1 day class and field study.