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Israel: Ben Gurion University of the Negev -
Student Life
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Meet Israeli students and other international
students while you study in Beer Sheva .
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Life in Beer Sheva
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is located in
the city of Beer Sheva – the capital of the
Negev region. The name Beer Sheva has two possible
translations: ‘well of seven’ or ‘well
of oath,’ both of which refer to the biblical
covenant made by the patriarch - Abraham - and the
Philistine king - Avimelech.
The Negev itself is part of an awe-inspiring desert
that stretches from Egypt through the southern part
of Israel to Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Negev, accounting
for 60% of Israel’s land mass, equaling an area
of 12,000 square kilometers, encompasses all the landforms
that make up a desert: desert flats, sand dunes, desert
pavements, cliff faces that stretch for dozens of
kilometers, and deep canyons. The Negev provides a
worthy challenge to those seeking adventure; the combination
of clear blue skies and beautiful yellow sand offers
an array of opportunities for exploration.
The city of Beer Sheva is one of the four largest
cities in Israel. It lies between the southern Negev
desert and the cultivated fields of the biblical lands
of Judah to the north. Beer Sheva is a city of great
historical significance, where thousands of years
ago it offered the junction between East and West.
Even today, people can see the convergence of history
and modernity in Israel’s beautiful desert city,
from the Old City of Beer Sheva where you can visit
Abraham’s well, to the new city, where there
is a wealth of cultural opportunities.
Housing and Meals
Most of the overseas students live in convenient
on-campus apartments with three Israeli roommates.
This allows students the opportunity to foster lasting
friendships with other Israeli BGU students. The apartments
are centrally located, a few minutes from the center
of campus. Students can also be housed in apartments
close to campus and with families. (Students interested
in either of these options should indicate this in
their application.)
In the housing complex there is a little supermarket,
a cafe/pub, a laundromat, a hairdresser, plus there
is a music room, a weekly disco club, a lounge with
a television and VCR where movies are shown each week
and a computer room that is open all night. Across
the road from the apartments is the sports center,
and an Italian restaurant.
Most of the dormitories are divided into apartments
with single and double bedrooms. Each apartment has
a bathroom and small kitchen equipped with a refrigerator,
gas burners, sink, storage cupboards and a dining
area. Each student will have a bed, desk/table, bookshelf,
wardrobe/closet and chair. Some apartments are air-conditioned.
All apartments are equipped with private phone lines,
although phone service must be arranged individually.
There is no inclusive meal plan during the year
or semester for the Overseas Student Program. Kitchenware
and cooking equipment as well as eating utensils are
not provided, but can be purchased at reasonable prices
in order that students may cook in their apartments.
Often Israeli roommates already have furnished the
apartments with these items. Students can dine in
any of the on-campus cafeterias (all of which are
kosher) where meals are served at reasonable prices.
Plus, there are a lot of restaurants in walking distance
from the dormitories, where students can have their
choice of ‘authentic’ Israeli restaurants,
and enjoy superb food, while engaging in lively conversation
with the locals. This is a great way to learn about
the country and people, as well as a good way to improve
your Hebrew.
Schedule
The Ben Gurion University program is available for
Fall semester (*please note end date of semester),
Spring semester and Full Year.
- Fall Semester: August - January
- Spring Semester: January - June
- Academic Year: August - June
Summer Ulpan - 2008
July 30: Group Flight
July 31: Arrival in Israel
August 1-2: Orientation and Kibbutz weekend *
August 3: Ulpan begins
August 24: Three weeks Ulpan option ends
September 10: Ulpan Ends
Fall Semester 2008
September 21: Fall Semester begins
October 8 - October 21: Fall Vacation
October 26: BGU courses begin
December 28: Hanukah
December 25: Fall Semester ends - OSP Courses
January 22: BGU regular university/ MAPMES courses
end
Spring Semester 2009
January 7: Group Flight
January 8: Arrival in Israel
January 9-10: Orientation and Kibbutz weekend
January 11: Ulpan begins
February 18: Ulpan ends
February 22: Spring Semester begins - OSP courses
March 11: BGU courses begin
March 9-11: Purim
April 9-15: Spring Vacation
April 28-29: Memorial Day and Yom Hatzmaut
May 28: Spring Semester ends - OSP courses
June 25: BGU regular university/MAPMES courses end
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