Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva, Israel

Fall – 20 weeks (early August to late December)
Spring – 24 weeks (early January to mid June)
Academic Year – 44 weeks (early August to mid June)

Spring Semester 2010 closed

Sponsored by the Colleges of Arts & Letters, Communication Arts and Sciences, Social Science, the Eli Broad College of Business, and James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), a major center for teaching and research with over 17,000 students, is the youngest of the four Israeli universities with an MSU study abroad program. BGU is a known favorite among students: a recent survey conducted by Israel’s Council for Higher Education rated BGU the #1 university by Israeli students, noted for its warm ambience and personal approach.

It is located on an attractive modern campus in Beer Sheva, about one hour south of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  Beer Sheva is Israel’s fourth largest city and predates Abraham, making it one of the oldest cities in the world! The city is the point of entry for many immigrants to Israel, giving it a unique blend of different cultures and languages, and hosts Israel’s largest Bedouin Market.

Modern, high-speed train service between Beer Sheva and Tel Aviv takes a little over an hour, with service continuing to Haifa and the north.  The university train station is across the street from the dorm and only a three minute walk from campus.  Jerusalem is only an hour and a half ride away by shared taxi or bus.  The Ginsburg Ingerman Overseas Student Program (OSP) alumni have reported that BGU’s location makes it ideal for exploring all parts of Israel both on your own and through OSP organized programs.

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev was established in 1969 with the aim to spearhead the development of the Negev, a desert area comprising more than sixty percent of the country. The University was inspired by the vision of Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, who believed that the future of the country lay in this region. The awe-inspiring desert beckons students to hike and explore nearby desert flats, sand dunes, and deep canyons.

The OSP takes students on numerous trips throughout the semester and year, including trekking through the Negev, hiking in the Galilee region, exploring in Jerusalem, visiting museums in Tel Aviv, rafting down the Jordan River in the North, and a cruise on the Red Sea in the South.

Its diverse student body hails from cities and villages all over Israel and includes native born Israelis, Jews and Arabs, including Bedouin, as well as new immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union. OSP encourages its participants to interact with Israeli students throughout the various activities and groups available on campus.

In addition to course offerings in all parts of the traditional curriculum, BGU students capitalize on the university's commitment to interaction with the local community with internships and volunteer projects.  In the past, OSP students have interned in government and service institutions such as Beer Sheva's district court, the Israeli Ministry of Housing, and Soroka Hospital, as well as a local art institute, newspapers and media organizations, and engineering and architecture firms. Students may also serve as research assistants at one of BGU's Research Centers.

Students who wish to take an internship for credit should notify the Office of Student Services in New York upon acceptance and should obtain advanced approval from their MSU academic adviser.

To find out more about BGU visit their Web site.

What can I study?

Students have found appealing courses in major fields of undergraduate study such as international relations, Judaic studies, Hebrew, Conflict Resolution and Peace studies, Israel studies, history, religion, archaeology, sustainable development, environmental justice, health issues, sociology, Middle East studies, and more. Courses vary from year to year so it's best to consult with the Web course listings to identify particular academic programs and course offerings. In addition to the individual course offerings, BGU offers arranged programs in Peace Studies and Regional Security, and Environmental and Jewish Studies.   

Students are required to enroll in an Ulpan, an intensive, six weekimmersive Hebrew language course held prior to the fall and spring semesters. This six credit course is mandatory for all study abroad semester and year students prior to their period of study at BGU. The course meets five hours daily, Sunday through Thursday, for six weeks. Students are placed in an appropriate level based on results of a written exam provided by the Office of Student Services before departure for the program. Only students who pass the written exam or receive approval from the Director of the OSP are exempt from participation.

Students are required to enroll in the Ulpan (6 credits) and a minimum of fifteen (15) credits during the regular semester. Students are required to continue studying Hebrew throughout the semester.  In addition to taking the Hebrew semester course, students may chose three to four additional courses.

HEBREW STUDIES CERTIFICATION: Students participating for the academic year at BGU will have the opportunity to extend their work in Hebrew in a renowned program of Hebrew instruction.  Courses in other subjects are also part of the academic year program.  Students who earn 21 credits, in Hebrew and other subjects, will be awarded a Certificate in Hebrew Studies from Ben-Gurion University.  Interested students should contact Marc Berstein, Assistant Professor of Hebrew and Israeli Culture, A-602 Wells Hall, 432-6209, msb@msu.edu, for further information on the academic year option.

Participants are expected to volunteer two to four hours per week in one of the many social service opportunities available through the Overseas Student Program.  They will meet regularly with the volunteer coordinator to discuss their experiences.  See BGU: The Overseas Student Program for details.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission. After submitting an application to MSU, students are required to complete a detailed BGU application that includes an essay, two letters of recommendation, a personal recommendation, transcript, and a medical report.

All semester students are required to take Hebrew language (Ulpan) in Israel prior to the start of the regular semester. Students are placed in an appropriate level based on results of a written exam provided by the Office of Student Services before departure for the program. Only students who pass the written exam or receive approval from the Director of the OSP are exempt from participation.

This program is open to MSU students only.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

All students live in the BGU student dormitories, which are conveniently located within a two minute walk to campus and directly across from the university sports facility. Students are placed with Israeli roommates, providing the opportunity to foster lasting friendships with Israeli BGU students.

Dormitories are divided into apartment-suites with single and double bedrooms. Students who choose to spend a year at BGU will be given preference to receive a single room within a dormitory suite. Each student will have a bed, desk/table, bookshelf, wardrobe/closet and chair. Each apartment has a bathroom and a small kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, gas burners, sink, storage cupboards and a dining area. As there is no inclusive meal plan at BGU, many students find it convenient, as well as inexpensive, to cook meals in their dorm-apartments. Kitchenware and cooking equipment as well as eating utensils are not provided, but can be purchased at reasonable prices. Often, Israeli roommates have already furnished the apartments with these items.

The dormitory complex features a mini-market, laundry facilities, 24-hour computer labs with internet access, a unisex hairdresser, a cafe/pub, a music room, and student lounges for study/entertainment.

In addition to preparing food in the dormitory kitchen, students can dine in any of the on-campus cafeterias, all of which are kosher and reasonably priced. In addition, there are many restaurants within walking distance from the dormitories, where students can have their choice of authentic Israeli restaurants, and enjoy super food, while engaging in lively conversation with the locals of Beer Sheva.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Cindy Felbeck Chalou
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4345

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

The total estimation for these costs is $14,455 (SS10).

A program fee of $170 (SS10) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. 

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The MSU Jewish Studies program offers several scholarships for study in Israel.  A general application is available online.

How do I apply?

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for fall and academic year programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

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