Israel Welcomes Displaced American Students from Egypt
Twenty-one students transfer from Egyptian programs to Israeli programs to study Arabic
(New York, NY) — In light of the recent unrest in Egypt, Masa Israel Journey programs have welcomed 21 displaced North American students to Israel to continue their Arabic language studies. Twelve students have enrolled in The Rothberg International School at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, eight in the International School at the University of Haifa, and one in Givat Haviva's Intensive Arabic Semester. A joint project of the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel, Masa Israel offers over 180 five-to-12-month academic, service and career development programs in Israel.
The Rothberg International School worked closely with study abroad directors at Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, University of California Schools, Michigan State University, and Allegheny University to place students who had been studying in Egypt into its program. The International School at the University of Haifa worked closely with Elon University to absorb five of its students who were evacuated from Egypt to Turkey.
"It's wonderful that these students can leave the instability in Egypt and come to Israel," said Avi Rubel, Masa Israel's North American Director. "Masa Israel will do everything we can to make sure their studies are equally fulfilling and that that they have an incredible experience in Israel."
A representative from the University of Haifa met its new students at the airport, and both the Hebrew University and the University of Haifa provided its students with special orientations to assist in their transitions to their new campuses. The University of Haifa, which has a 20 percent Arab student body, will offer its students the opportunity to take part in NGOs focused on serving the Arab Israeli population and human rights. One student, who planned to research the head coverings of Arab women, will continue her research with a professor at the University of Haifa.
Aside from Arabic, students will also be able to choose from a wide variety of courses in the international schools. Students will receive full credit for their studies.
For more information, contact: North American Director of Masa Israel Journey, Avi Rubel at (212) 339-6938, (781) 308-4880 or avir@masaisrael.org.
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