INTRODUCTION The Tel Aviv program is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by Penn State in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, and Asia. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. OBJECTIVES The Penn State Education Abroad Program at Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel, functions within the context of the objectives characterizing all of Penn State's study abroad opportunities, especially to: - enable students to receive instruction in various disciplines within the context of another culture and to enrich their general academic studies; - enable students to expand their knowledge of the people and culture of a country or religion of the world by living and studying there, as well as gain an internationally informed perspective of the values and way of life in their own country; - promote the educational goals of the University by providing overseas programs designed to increase the international understanding of students. Specially, the Tel Aviv Program aims to: - provide the opportunity to study firsthand the political and social problems that confront the Middle East, especially Israel; - promote an awareness of, and an appreciation for, the historical background and cultural heritage of the Middle East, especially Israel; - complement Penn State's on-campus efforts to teach students about the ancient and modern Middle East, Arab and Jewish-Israeli cultures, and Arab-Israeli relations. TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY Tel Aviv University has developed in a few short years into a university of international reputation and academic excellence. It is the largest university in Israel, offering a broad program of study leading to many academic specializations. The greater Tel Aviv area itself is not only the primary urban concentration of the country, with one-third of the total population, but it is also the cultural, industrial, and financial heart and center of Israel. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Participants in the Penn State Education Abroad Program at Tel Aviv University enroll for either the Fall, Spring, or full year in Tel Aviv's Overseas Student Program. The academic program begins with an intensive course in Hebrew language (Ulpan), which runs for five weeks from the beginning of August through the beginning of September for those enrolling in the Fall semester or for four weeks from the end of January through the end of February for those enrolling in the Spring semester. Students enrolling for the full academic year take the Ulpan that precedes the Fall semester. After completion of the Ulpan (a required 6 credits of Hebrew), students enroll in regular lecture courses of the Overseas Student Program selected from the areas of anthropology, art history, biological science, comparative literature, economics, Hebrew, history, labor studies, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, and social welfare. In addition to the courses offered in the Overseas Student Program, students may attend regular departmental courses which are taught in English; or qualified students with a good command of Hebrew may attend regular departmental courses which are taught in Hebrew, provided they meet the prerequisites of the particular course. Credits earned in Hebrew may be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement for the B.A. degree. COURSES The Ulpan is a required intensive Hebrew language course. Students enrolled for only one semester must take the six Ulpan credits plus twelve additional credits. Full-year students take these eighteen credits their first semester and may take twelve to eighteen credits second semester. Ulpan classes are conducted five hours per day, five days per week. Weekends are free and students are encouraged to explore the country. All courses except Hebrew are taught in English by members of the Tel Aviv University faculty. GRADING As with any course at Penn State, responsibility for assessing the student's academic achievement lies with the course instructors. COURSE SELECTION Courses to be taken at Tel Aviv University are selected and approved in advance in consultation with the student's academic adviser. Participants may choose from a variety of courses as listed in the latest Tel Aviv University Overseas Student Program course catalogue. Exact registration is subject to availability of courses on site. All course will be accredited by Penn State. ELIGIBILITY The Tel Aviv Program is open to all regularly enrolled students at Penn State. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point-average, and must show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Participants are generally in their junior or senior year standing during their time abroad. PROGRAM PREREQUISITES Before departure, students must complete at least one 3-credit course dealing with the Middle East, Biblical studies, or Jewish religion and culture. ORIENTATION A specially-designed orientation program, conduct during the semester before departure, is intended to prepare participants for the adjustment to living and studying in Israel. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. COSTS Tuition charges for the program are the same as at University Park and are payable at the Bursar's Office in accordance with the standard procedures and deadlines for such charges at the University Park Campus. Room rent is paid in advance by the student directly to the American Friends of Tel Aviv University in New York. Dormitory fees are based upon two separate periods: the semester and the Ulpan. Food expenses are at the students' own discretion; a university cafeteria is available, but students may also prepare meals in the kitchenettes provided in the dormitories. Dormitory fees and food expenses for the combined short Ulpan and Fall or Spring Semester usually cost more than room and board for a semester at University Park: rising costs in Israel contribute to a steady increase in the cost of room and board. Estimates for these costs are provided annually by the Office of Education Abroad Programs. Students are also required to pay a $150 nonrefundable program fee at the time of accepting an enrollment offer. Round-trip air transportation is an additional cost to the student. Penn State students may participate in group flights arranged by the American Friends of Tel Aviv University. Textbooks and personal expenses are extra. In addition, students should be aware that there are extra charges for participation in several mandatory sponsored tours and extra curricular activities. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost-estimate-sheet detailing the overall expenses for each semester. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State, financial aid packages continue during the time students are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs coordinates closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional costs incurred by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest grant-in-aid fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. HEALTH INSURANCE All participants are required to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. Tel Aviv University requires overseas students to purchase the health insurance offered through the Tel Aviv University. Details of the plan will be given during the orientation. Personal liability insurance is highly recommended. PLANNING AHEAD To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their academic advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every program participant not only gains regular Penn State credit, but can often apply the credits earned abroad to General Education, elective, language, and/or to major or minor requirements. Like all Penn State's semester and academic-year Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University's cultural diversity requirement. As part of the application process, students are required to check with their advisers or deans to discuss what impact study abroad may have on their progress toward graduation. For further information and application forms contact your campus Education Abroad adviser or: Office of Education Abroad Programs The Pennsylvania State University 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel. (814) 865-7681 This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State university is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability, or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175. The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Employee Benefits Division at (814) 865-1473 in advance of your participation or visit. U.Ed. OIP 95-36 PS6053ez 4/96