Study abroad in Jerusalem

Study abroad in Jerusalem
Study abroad in Jerusalem

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Blogger: Robyn Croft


Robyn Croft  is a student at the University of Texas. Robyn is a science major and she participated in the Undergraduate Study Aboard Program during the spring of 2014-15 at Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.


5 Ways that the Rothberg International School Makes You Feel At Home

As I write this, I am snuggled up in my bed at the student village, sipping on hot tea with cough drops and a thermometer by my bedside. Unlike my previous, maybe slightly naïve misconception that it is simply impossible to get sick during your semester abroad, I am currently learning that unfortunately, that is not true. However, what are the two things that you want when you get sick? The first is obvious: chicken soup. Thankfully, the chicken soup supply is plentiful here, so no problem with that. The second is also pretty obvious: Home. This might seem problematic at first, as how can any other place truly compare to the one you grew up in? After 2 ½ months of studying abroad in Jerusalem, Israel at the Rothberg International School through Hebrew University, I am here to tell you with confidence, even in my germ-y state, that you can 100% fulfill the second criteria, because being a student at the Rothberg International School makes you feel at home.

 

Here are the top 5 ways:

1. Incredible Madrichim (Counselors): From the day you arrive, Rothberg gives you what everyone secretly wants in life: cool, spunky, caring role-models who give you advice, but are still nice enough to hang out with you and be your friend.

2. Caring teachers: I cannot emphasize enough how amazing the teachers and professors at Rothberg are. Not only are they world-renown and brilliant in their individual fields, but they truly care about your well-being outside of the classroom. At the beginning of my time here, I mentioned to my Ulpan teacher that I was looking for a volunteer opportunity with children. She knew of a gan (preschool) on campus, and insisted on walking me over there after class was out to help get me in touch with the director; volunteering there on a weekly basis has become one of my favorite experiences abroad. Teachers at Rothberg WANT you to do well and succeed both in your academics AND in your personal life, and with their charismatic, smart, nurturing personalities, they make that possible. 

3. Tight-knit community: one of my favorite places to hang out at Rothberg is the café on the second floor, and for reasons that go beyond the oh-so-good nescafe. During our break times during long classes or between classes, many students hang out in the café. Each time that I walk in, look around at my fellow students sitting at all different tables, and realize that I would feel comfortable sitting at any of them, I am reminded of just how close and tight-knit the Rothberg student community is. The students here are friendly and eager to learn about each other’s backgrounds. Furthermore, very few people simply wake up one morning and decide that they want to study abroad in Israel. Rather, each student has a unique story, and we are constantly seeking to learn each other’s stories and continue building our own.

4. The Student Village: Living with other students in the Student Village (only a 15 min walk to campus) has been one of the best parts of being abroad. Quite literally, the student village has become my home here. However, the walls of my apartment contain much more than a comfortable bed and a kitchen; with 4 other roommates from all different backgrounds, the fun-loving, open atmosphere created by the students who live here makes the Student Village a wonderful place to come home to every day. From hosting home-cooked, weekly Shabbats to having conversations with our neighbors across the hall (because of course our doors are always open), the experience of living with other students who are growing in the same personal, academic, and cultural ways that you are is an invaluable one.

5. Your Second Family: What all of this leads to is the formation of what can only be called your “second family” here at Rothberg. From your teachers to your madrichim and of course, your friends, being a student at Rothberg means being part of a special community in which you feel supported and appreciated for who you are. It means having people with whom you can explore the world, challenge yourself, and contemplate life’s most perplexing questions; people who help you thrive, blossom, and change. It means telling your roommates that you’re sick, and having one give you a big hug while the other gets you a popsicle. If this isn’t family, then I don’t know what is.

So, there you have it. Criteria 1 and 2 fulfilled. Guess I’m on the road to recovery!


16 comments:

  1. This 5 way must make international school Rothberg. I have read this 5 ways. I see that number 2 way is caring teacher. It is most important for this purpose. I want info about personal statement for study abroad 2018.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice blog. Fitness is necessary for the students and teachers. This is what make you more perfect and we should never ignore this thing if you want success in life. So visit site and get more info in detail.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful information, This is good educational article for students and here defined very well about five ways to make feel at home study. This five different informative reason should helpful you to study online at home. Also visit our homepage to take help for phycology writing help. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you want to study in the Jerusalem, then you can find a better way here. Just get a better idea for your learning with the transcription companies hiring place and get a better idea here. Get the experience here for your life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Here is some school in which we can study in good way. And also with the study you can enjoy this site for learning. Which is providing you many new kind of details.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A great and fantastic blog about the study abroad in the Jerusalem. You can catch the best environment in these institutes for the study purpose. Just come here and enjoy to read here about the best educational places in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Rothberg International School is really a nice school where they have so excellet service that the student love to study here and they always feel this place as home. http://www.ksaservices.net/the-best-ksa-financial-services/ It's help me a lot on my thesis writing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The life in this university is seems to be so comfortable. People are trying to live here as this education is lovely and amazing. So be part of this institute. http://www.ksaservices.net/help-with-ksa-questions-and-answers/

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think through these tips any place can become heaven or feel like home.Isn't it like this guys? read here I appreciate this post and specially your content writing which is really amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Is there any mess or canteen in the Mount Scopus Campus?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I haven’t any word to appreciate this post.....Really i am impressed from this post....the person who create this post it was a great human..thanks for shared this with us. du học Nhật Bản

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for sharing a great information on Study Abroad

    ReplyDelete