When choosing where to study abroad, we are faced with many, seemingly limitless options. Sometimes, making the decision of where to go can seem impossible. Some countries like Italy and England often come to mind first for Jewish students thinking about studying abroad. That’s because these are places known to have active Jewish communities with lots of attractions to visit and many places to explore.
Jewish students studying in the Middle East will have as many (or more!) incredible experiences as anywhere else!
Sometimes, our fear of the unknown, or stereotypes we have heard about other places such as the Middle East may cloud our ability to think about alternative countries where we can study abroad. While studying abroad in the Middle East is certainly not for everyone, it is absolutely a region to consider.
Stepping out of your comfort zone may be a life-changing experience. To help make your decision of where to study a bit easier, below are the answers to some common questions often asked about Jewish students studying in the Middle East.
5 FAQs about Jewish students studying in the Middle East
1. Is Israel the only place in the Middle East where Jewish students can study abroad?
No! While for obvious reasons Israel is a great choice for Jewish students looking to study abroad in the Middle East, don’t think that studying abroad in the Middle East has to mean only studying abroad in Israel.
Some other countries in the Middle East where Jewish students have studied abroad include the United Arab Emirates (check out Dubai!), Jordan, and Morocco, just to name a few. The study abroad provider AMIDEAST is very attentive to students studying in the Middle East with religious needs, and may be able to help you decide on some other Middle Eastern countries to think about for study abroad.
While studying in the Middle East, it might be important to exercise discretion about your faith.
2. How public can I be with my Jewish identity while I study in the Middle East?
One Jewish student (who asked to remain anonymous) described her time studying abroad in graduate school in Dubai by explaining that she was more concerned as a woman than she was as a Jewish person.
Even so, she would not recommend being overly public about your Jewish identity while in Dubai, or advertising it very widely. She chose to always err on the side of caution, since there can be a lot of misunderstandings between Jews and locals.
We recommend connecting with your program provider or local Jewish communities to find out more about how open you’re able to be about your faith. Recommended discretion will vary from country to country and city to city.
While the tension may exist, and you may not choose to wear a Kippa or a Jewish star necklace in public in some Middle Eastern countries, you don’t have to eliminate Judaism from your life when studying in the Middle East. You will have the chance to connect with the local Jewish communities if they exist (ask your provider about connecting you).
The graduate student had a very positive experience celebrating Passover with the Jewish community in Dubai — a celebration that involved around 50 to 60 people of all ages, and provided a great chance to meet others and learn more about the holiday.
3. Will I be the only Jewish student on my program?
Maybe. However, it’s possible that there will be other students in your program, and certainly in your study abroad region, who are Jewish as well. For instance, while it’s not an exact number, CET Academic Programs sends between one and five Jewish students to study abroad in Amman, Jordan each term.
Take the unique opportunity to build relationships with other students, whether you know their religion or not. Build that relationship first, from the ground up, and bring up religion later, once people have had a chance to get to know you.
Studying abroad as a Jewish student in the Middle East is a valuable chance to take ownership of your Jewish identity and to learn more about other faiths. You can arrange interfaith dialogues that bring people of different backgrounds together to understand more about one another.
Make sure to do research before you study abroad in the Middle East, or reach out to your advisor with questions.
4. Is it safe to study abroad in the Middle East?
Wherever you travel, whether in the Middle East or another study abroad location, it is always important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Ultimately, the safety of a study abroad destination varies by country, and sometimes even by year.
The aforementioned Jewish graduate student who spoke about her experiences studying abroad in Dubai said that she felt relatively safe in Kuwait and in Dubai where there are cameras everywhere.
In other places like Jordan and Morocco she did not feel as safe due to a large disparity between the impoverished and the wealthy, which led to a heavy crime rate. Ultimately, studying in the Middle East may require more preparation and research than more traditional locations. Never hesitate to reach out to your program provider or organization for guidance and advice!
5. What resources are available to Jewish students studying in the Middle East?
KAHAL Your Jewish Home Abroad can connect you both to local Jewish communities in your study abroad country, and to other Jewish students studying abroad in the Middle East region. Additionally, in countries where there are Israeli embassies, the embassies might provide opportunities for Jewish people to come together for various occasions.
Further, it was recently announced that Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, the New York University chaplain, will become the first Chief Rabbi of the United Arab Emirates. He will travel four times a year to lead holiday services in Dubai and to pursue interfaith dialogue. Sarna’s role demonstrates the increasing vitality of a Jewish community in the Middle East which is ready to welcome Jewish students from all over the world!
Get excited to study abroad in the Middle East!
Studying abroad in the Middle East is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t forget that!
Are you ready to study abroad in the Middle East? The answer to that question will not be the same for each student considering the idea of studying abroad in the Middle East. For starters, it is important to keep in mind that every Middle Eastern country is different, and likewise, your experience as a Jewish student will be different depending on which Middle Eastern country you choose for study abroad.
If being openly Jewish is essential to who you are, and it is not something you are able to give up showing in public, there are some places in the Middle East that might not be the best place for your study abroad choice — so be sure to do the required research.
That does not mean you have to avoid experiencing the Middle East outside of Israel; perhaps a short-term trip may be more up your alley. However, if being publicly Jewish is not as prominent in your lifestyle, then there are many options for Jewish students studying in the Middle East. Regardless, there are plenty of ways to engage with Jewish life wherever you study!
Overall, studying abroad as a Jewish student in the Middle East can be a very worthwhile experience. It can help bridge cultural gaps and allow you to have conversations that you may never have had before. There is no better place to build relationships between those of different religions, and to learn about the Middle East, than in the Middle East itself!
We'd love to hear from you! Please comment and share more questions you have about studying abroad in the Middle East, or your own personal experiences studying there.
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KAHAL Your Jewish Home Abroad is a non-profit organization which connects Jewish students studying abroad to Jewish opportunities, resources, and connections abroad. KAHAL aims to create meaningful Jewish experiences for study abroad students, allowing them to interact with local Jewish communities and deepen their Jewish identities. Wherever students travel, KAHAL arranges chances to attend Shabbat dinners, meet Jewish students, attend holiday meals, volunteer and advocate, and provides grant funding and travel assistance.
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