Beer-Sheva, Israel
*currently suspended

Also See: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Campus contact: Off-Campus Programs (Approximately 20 - 21 week program offered every semester or for a full academic year.)

The Israel program affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is offered to Hobart and William Smith students each year. The location of Ben-Gurion in Beer-Sheva encourages frequent contact with Israeli students and the local community. The program includes specialized course work in English with hands-on experience through community service projects, internships and individualized research possibilities with BGU faculty. A rich cultural calendar organized by the Overseas Student Program of BGU provides students with many extracurricular opportunities.

PROGRAM DATES
(Fall) August 1 to October 12, 2001 (Spring) January 2 to May 30, 2002

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students are housed in dormitories with Israeli and other international students and take part in all of the university's regular social and cultural activities.

EXCURSIONS
Extended visits to other parts of the country are encouraged including Jerusalem, an archeological dig at Tel Nitzana, the coral reefs of Eilat and the historical site of Masada. A trip to Eilat between the fall ulpan and the regular semester is included in the basic cost of the program.

ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to all, juniors, and seniors who have a strong academic record (2.8 GPA) and have an interest in one or more subject areas including Art, Ecology and Environmental Studies, Hebrew language and Literature, History, Judaic Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology/Anthropology and Religion. Applicants should submit a strong personal statement indicating how the program relates to their academic and cultural interests.

APPROXIMATE COSTS
Students will be charged a fee roughly equivalent to the regular HWS tuition, $500 administrative fee, and room charge (prorated for the longer semester). This fee covers all tuition and fees at BGU, the required pre-semester language Ulpan, and accommodations for the entire program. The cost of meals, round-trip airfare, independent travel, and personal items are not covered in the basic fee. These additional costs vary according to individual needs and tastes, but we estimate that they may approach $3000. The cost per semester is 2001-2002 is: $15,975

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
A more complete description of course offerings is available from the Office of Off-Campus Programs in the brochure: "Ben Gurion University, Overseas Student Program" or consult the BGU website, www.bgu.ac.il/osp. In addition to regular course work students may also arrange teaching internships and community service projects with the local Bedouin community, with immigrant groups and with local health organizations. An intensive six-week Hebrew Language Ulpan (language program) at the beginning of the semester in August or January is a required component of the overall program.