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Brandeis University Middlebury Program in Israel

Fall 2012, Spring 2013, 2012-2013 Academic Year Program Overview

Brandeis University, in collaboration with Middlebury College, is pleased to announce a new program launching in the spring of 2012. Located at Ben Gurion University in Beer-Sheva, a vibrant Israeli city with a colorful and eclectic history in the heart of the Negev, BGU is renowned for its strong academics and research, as well as for its local and international ties. Appealing to intermediate and advanced students of Hebrew, this program is a great opportunity for students interested in bringing their language skills to the next level and who desire a full-immersion approach to studying abroad. Students can apply to this program for the fall, spring, or full academic year. 

Curriculum

Students will earn a total of 16 credits per semester. Local faculty from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are hired to teach classes specifically designed for program participants in advanced language, culture, and civilization.  All students take a combination of language and content courses; Modern Hebrew (10 hours per week) and two electives courses on Israeli and Middle Eastern culture, religion, or politics.  All classes engage students in a variety language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).  Students will also enroll in a practicum, which is a central academic component that will foster a full immersion experience in living and studying abroad.  As part of the practicum, students will be able to enroll in an independent study or academic internship, provided availability at local institutions. 

Students on the program will adhere to the Middlebury College Language Pledge, a promise to speak only the language students are studying for the duration of the program.  Specific course offerings will be posted at a later date.

• All course work is conducted entirely in Hebrew
• Students adhere to the Middlebury College Language Pledge
• Curriculum designed for high intermediate and advanced Hebrew language students

Student Life

Housed with Israeli roommates, students will also be able to participate in many of our partner University’s clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities alongside Israeli peers. 

More information soon to come. 

Prerequisites

Four semesters of college level Hebrew or the equivalent.

Financial Information

The estimated program costs are outlined below. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. Brandeis University reserves the right to adjust costs at any time.

Estimated Tuition and Academic Costs for One Semester:   $20,257

This amount is equivalent to the spring 2012 semester tuition at Brandeis University. Please note that the amounts for 2012-2013 have not yet been set.

Off-Campus Study Fee:    $400

A fee of $400 per semester will be charged to your account while you are away. This fee covers the administrative costs related to off-campus study program approval, transfer of credit, and registration.

Tuition and off-campus fee includes:

• Academic program
• Orientation
• A range of field trips
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance coverage, including a 24-hour traveler's assistance help-line

Calculating Personal Expenses

To help plan your expenses and budget for your semester off-campus, use this Budget Planning Worksheet (.pdf).

Please contact us if you have additional questions.

You can also be in touch with the Office of Student Financial Services:

Phone: (781) 736-3700
Fax: (781)736-3719
eMail: finaid@brandeis.edu

Students on this program are eligible for the Ruth Gollan Prize in Hebrew. For full details, click here. 

Admissions

Deadline: February 17, 2012!

The Office of Study Abroad will administer the on-line application and student selection process in accord with the regular Study Abroad process. Any junior or first semester senior Brandeis student will be eligible to participate on this program as long as they are not on judicial or academic probation.

Brandeis students will apply to the Program through the Brandeis on-line study abroad application. Students are not required to submit an additional external application, since this is a Brandeis run program. 

Students who are enrolled in other institutions should apply to the program through Middlebury College. 

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the spring 2013 is September 24, 2012. Please note that this is a special deadline and does not refer to programs in 2013-2014.

Applications must be submitted on-line by NOON on the stated deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis until the closing deadline.

Students are encouraged to apply well before the admissions deadline. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis so applying early is to everyone's advantage. Provided spaces are still available, applications will be reviewed up until the deadline. The website will contain information in the event that the program reaches student capacity before the admissions deadline.

Getting Started

Before applying to the Brandeis University/Middlebury Program in Israel, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Fill out the Study Abroad Advising and Goals Questionnaire. This will help the staff in our office get to know you and your needs for study abroad.  It will also help you set goals and expectations for your time off-campus. By completing this questionnaire, you will be placed on our listserv to be advised of study abroad events and deadlines.  Please note that you must complete this questionnaire before you will have access to the Brandeis study abroad application.



2. Attend a General Information Session.  You should attend one of these sessions before setting up an appointment with a Study Abroad Staff Member. 

3. Schedule a meeting with J. Scott Van Der Meid to discuss your academic and personal goals for studying abroad on the Brandeis University/Middlebury Program in Israel. When you come to this meeting, please make sure you have reviewed the information online thoroughly and have filled out the Study Abroad Advising and Goals Questionnaire. After this meeting you will be able to access the online application. To schedule a meeting, please call 781-736-3483.

Application Materials

The Brandeis University/Middlebury Program in Israel Application consists of:

• Application Questionnaire:
  • Application Statement for Brandeis Programs
  • Emergency Contact
  • Resume
  • Writing Sample

• Material Submission
  
  • Passport Copy 

• Signature Documents:
  
  • Application Photo Statement
  • Brandeis Programs Statement of Agreement

• Recommendation:
  
  • Two Letters of Recommendation

Application Statement for Brandeis Programs
Your personal statement should include answers to the following questions. You may also wish to refer to the selection criteria before writing your statement. 

Your statement should be about 1,000 words in essay format. If you are applying to two programs, be sure your statement includes answers to all of the following questions for both your primary program and your alternate program. Failure to include answers to all questions for both programs may result in your application being denied. 

 •  What are your academic and intellectual goals for study abroad?

 •  How do your academic goals for study abroad relate to your overall academic plan at Brandeis?

 •  Why is your proposed program the best match for your academic goals for study abroad?

 •  What do you hope to gain from living and learning in a new culture?

 •  How do you plan to integrate yourself in your host institution and host city or town?

 •  What does the term 'global citizen' mean to you and how does your proposed study abroad plan relate to this concept?

 •  Describe the challenges you imagine you will face while living and studying in a different culture and give concrete examples of how you will deal with these challenges.

 •  How have you prepared yourself academically for study abroad in your chosen host country?

 •  How much do you already know about the history and culture of your proposed study abroad location?

Resume
Please upload a pdf of your resume in the online application. The application review committee uses the resume to learn more about you and all of your experiences, commitments and interests to date. The rest of your application focuses exclusively on your academic history and future plans as they relate to study abroad or JBS. Your resume allows the committee to understand the rest of your skills, experiences, and achievements.

Enhance your application by thoughtfully expressing your leadership, volunteer and work experience on your resume. With the right preparation and expert feedback you can stand out in the crowd. Learn about how to structure and write a resume from Hiatt' online workshop, view samples on their website and access a user-friendly software program, Optimal Resume, to create a clear, professional resume.

Once you've drafted your resume: have it reviewed and preferably approved by the Hiatt Career Center during drop-ins, in an appointment or via HiattChat, prior to submitting it to your application.

Program details are subject to change.