Tel Aviv University

My name is Edvin and I am a Master's student in the Cyber Politics and Goverment Program at Aviv University. During this challenging period, I follow the programme online from abroad. During the programme, I have gained a lot of practical knowledge and have learned to study and apply the material. I was able to follow the lessons online and they were always informative. The instructors were always very helpful, adapting well to the situation at hand, and every lesson was active and interactive. All the teaching materials were easily accessible and I almost always had the opportunity to learn from the latest research. I had the opportunity to listen to several guest speakers and attend conferences and I also had to give several presentations in class on more and more interesting topics. Most importantly, for me, in addition to increasing my lexical knowledge, the programme taught me how to apply it in practice and gave me a comprehensive, integrated view of the political, social and economic implications of technological developments. Besides learning, I had the opportunity to assist the TAU Task Force. This small group of international students was committed to sharing real content about what was happening in Israel. The content they share on social media is a credible representation of reality, with interviews with professors and soldiers all giving a small slice of the events. They are also a safe bet in the international student community, who can pass on information first-hand. I am glad to have been part of this team.

While my academic experience was enriching, I found the lack of meaningful connections with both Israeli and Palestinian communities, both on and off-campus, disappointing. As an international student, I came to Israel expecting to understand its society. The university could benefit from fostering more inclusive initiatives that encourage dialogue and collaboration among diverse student groups.

I am currently pursuing my M.A. in Conflict Resolution and Mediation at Tel Aviv University. I found this program online and spoke with the program director, who turned out to be one of my favorite YouTubers from the Ask an Israeli/Palestinian Project. Having an activist as my supervisor was a great attraction. The program offers a holistic curriculum encompassing Social Psychology, Abrahamic Religions, International Law, Sociology, Politics, and practical negotiation training. It was very good for me in building the foundation for advanced academics. Additionally, the program allows taking courses from other M.A. programs, providing expanded opportunities to tailor my academic career path. Offices for student services are very devoted, and psychological help is available any time. The dorms (Broshim) resemble a suite in a hotel at a reasonable price, with many student lounges for studying and other activities, including a gym. Overall, this is a land I am wholly given over to.