Description

Aardvark Israel Gap Year is a 9-month program in Israel for recent high school graduates and Aardvark Israel Semester is a 5-month program for university students. Both programs bring students from all over the world and combine Immersion into Israeli Society, Service to the community through volunteer work and internships, and Learning about Israel and Judaism through both formal academic and informal educational encounters. As a fully accredited university program, students may earn college credit for their coursework while on the program.

The weekly schedule includes 12-16 hours of volunteer work or internships in a variety of organizations and insitutions throughout Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 12-15 credits of courswork including Hebrew language studies, field trips, extra curricular activities, and even time to explore Israel on your own!

Special Interest Programs:

Aardvark Israel Gap Year is tailor-made to meet the needs of recent high school graduates, today's "millennials," by offering a core program with a menu of add-on options enabling students to build their own program. These elective programs create a framework that taps into the talents and passions of the students through hands-on workshops, volunteering, seminars, academic courses, field trips, and interactions with local experts.

* The Mind-Body Connection - a holistic approach to health and well-being
* Israeli Military - learn about and contribute to the security of Israel through the civilian guard, Krav Maga (Israeli martial arts), and more
* Digital Art and Media - increase your skills and build your portfolio through courses and workshops in graphic design, photography, illustration, video, web design, and drawing.
* Law and Government - Receive an insider's look into law and politics in Israel, while also developing specific skills necessary in these disciplines
* Shvil Yisrael (The Israel Trail) Hike the entire length of Israel, from the northern Golan Heights to the most southern city of Eilat.
* Kiruv (Spirituality) Explore Jewish identity and venture through a spiritual quest with shabbatonim and special holiday celebrations.

World Travel Programs:

The World Adventure program offers students the opportunity to participate in organized one-week educational and recreational excursions to countries throughout the world. Itineraries are designed to give students a relevant Jewish experience while exploring the country and community's relationship to Israel, while also visiting the most popular tourist destinations in each country.

* Kenya See lions, leopards, and elephants on safari and delve into issues of African-Israeli relations
* Italy Explore thousands of years of western and Jewish history in Rome and Venice
* Bulgaria Ski down the majestic mountains and connect with the local, thriving Jewish community
* Tunisia A fascinating blend of Arabic, French, and African cultures will captivate you in this Arab country whose government assures freedom of worship for the Jewish community

Highlights

Live in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem!
- Earn College Credits.
- Immerse yourself into Israeli society by living in an apartment with other program participants in desirable neighborhoods of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
- Weekly field trips to explore the country.
- Add-on options available - special interest programs and world travel.
- Personalized service and flexibility of the staff.
- Best Israel Program for the Best Price!

Travel Types

• Heritage Tourism
• Safari
• Snowboarding

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

Aardvark Israel is a program for recent high school graduates and university students age 17-22. Bringing together Jewish young adults from across the globe and from a variety of religious backgrounds, Aardvark Israel creates an environment where students can learn from one another and together experience the best that Israel has to offer.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Hebrew

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Gap Year: 14,990; Semester Program: 9,990 dollars

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

The price of Aardvark Israel Gap Year and Semester programs includes program tuition, housing, medical insurance, fees for all academic course, field trips, seminars, local transportation, and more. Each special interest program price includes the cost of all instruction, extra-curricular activities, workshops, and seminars. The Am Yisrael World Adventure programs prices include roundtrip airfare from Israel to the each foreign destination and all program costs associated with each trip, including meals during foreign travel.

Please note: The cost of meals is not included in the price of the program. Aardvark Israel staff will work with the students in each apartment to develop a system whereby everyone contributes evenly to the purchase of groceries and preparing meals together so as to most efficiently and cost effectively live together. Families should plan on their child spending approximately USD1,500 on food costs over the course of the year. In our experience, students and their families are most satisfied by having this type of control over their dietary needs and when not required to eat in a communal dining room.

Please also note: Round trip airfare to/from Israel is not included in the program tuition in order to lower the costs to the participant. Students are welcome to fly on the airline of their choice or purchase a ticket using frequent flier miles. Our travel agent, who specializes in Israel travel, will be in touch with participants' families several months prior to departure in order to assist in finding the best fares to suit each student's needs. A preferred flight will be offered to the group as an option.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

17-22

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Scholarships available through MASA and other sources.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Aardvark Israel's Mission Statement

Aardvark Israel was founded as a vehicle to maximize the number of young Jews coming to Israel for meaningful, life-changing experiences that strengthen their Jewish identity, commitment to Israel, and foster personal growth. The premier program of Aardvark is the Aardvark Israel Gap Year: a freshman year university program in Israel. Fundamental to Aardvark Israel's establishment is the commitment to offer programs at affordable prices in order to make high-quality Israel experiences available and accessible to as many young adults as possible. With a highly experienced team of premier educators and Israel programs staff, coupled with the most innovative and dynamic programs available for today's young adults, Aardvark Israel promises to deliver the best in Israel programs!

Year Founded

2010

Aardvark Israel is a Jewish based organization. We do require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.