Nature, Culture and Environmental/Natural Resource Sustainability in a Green Israel

Summer 2010

June 9 – 23, 2010 (tentative)

Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Social Science, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (pending approval), James Madison College (pending approval), and the Jewish Studies program

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This study abroad program is designed to take advantage of experiential/service learning opportunities in Israel focused on sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Students in this program will spend about two weeks learning about nature, culture and environmental sustainability in Israel. Specifically, students will learn about environmental policy, natural resource management, and more broadly examine the intersection of culture, politics and the environment in the Israeli context.

The program incorporates study/work with Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Tel-Hai College and Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-the Jewish National Fund in the Upper Galilee, and possibly in the Negev.

MSU students will learn about ancient and modern Israel and have hands on experiences including research assistance on reforestation projects, water quality projects, biological surveys, and ecotourism at Lake Hula Reserve.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of four (4) credits from the following courses:

ESA 480	Environmental Studies Abroad	1-6 cr.
ANR 475	International Studies in Agriculture and Natural Resources	2-6 cr.
PRR 410	International Parks and Tourism	1-6 cr.

Students may also earn credit in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities or in James Madison College (specific courses to be announced pending approval). In addition, students may arrange for independent study or other course credit with the instructor.

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

Engagement, Reflection and Analysis: Students will be evaluated on engaged participation in group discussions and projects, as well as on written reflections on their experiences with these environmental and ecotourism projects, to be submitted during and after the program’s conclusion.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Students must also have sophomore standing or higher (at the time of the program) and willingness to do fieldwork including water sampling, tree planting, etc. (NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED). Also, participants must be willing to share sleeping accommodations with others (same gender) and have an interest in seeing the environment and many sides of Israel.

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?

Students will be housed at guest houses of Tel-Hai College (approximately seven days), a kibbutz near Jerusalem (6 days). The program might also include a short stay (2 days) at guest houses near Be’er Sheva where the program concludes.

After meeting in Jerusalem on the first day, the program begins. After the Jerusalem portion of the program, the group will travel together on a charter bus from Jerusalem, to and around the Upper Galilee, and finally to the Negev. Students can take a train or sherut (group van) from Beer Sheva to the airport or make other plans at the conclusion of the program. Students are also encouraged to continue their study in Israel through the MSU Jewish Studies study abroad program in Jerusalem, which will begin shortly after the conclusion of the Green Israel program.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Michael Kaplowitz (past program leader)
Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies
305C Natural Resource Building
Phone: (517) 355-0101

Dr. Eric Aronoff (current program leader)
The Residential College of Arts and Humanities
220B Snyder Hall
Phone: (517) 884-1320

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. 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.

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?

The program fee in 2009 was $2,495 and included the following:

application fee ($100)
deposit ($200)
pre-departure orientation
accommodations
some meals
on site transportation
accident and sickness insurance
field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

MSU tuition and fees*
airfare
additional meals
books and supplies
passport application fee
visa application fees (if applicable)
pre-departure doctor visits
pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $2,250 (US09). 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.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate. .

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. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

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 deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer 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.

NOTE: MSU students of all backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for scholarships including the Julie and Ed Levy Jr. Student Leadership Scholarships for Study in Israel ($2500) (many available) and the Ed and Dot Slade Israel Study Scholarships ($1500) (two available) through MSU Jewish studies and the CANR travel scholarship available through MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

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).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.