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

Fall (July 31 - December 26, 2008)
Spring (January 8 - May 29, 2009)
Academic Year (July 31, 2008 - May 29, 2009)

Summer 2008, Fall 2008 and Academic Year 2008-9 closed

Sponsored by the Colleges of Arts & Letters, Communication Arts and Sciences, 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 three Israeli universities with an MSU study abroad program. It is located on an attractive modern campus in Beer Sheva, about one hour south of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The city is the point of entry for many immigrants to Israel, giving it a unique blend of different cultures and languages.

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev was established 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 Ginsburg Ingerman Overseas Student Program (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 in 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, 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 week immersive 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 four 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 to two to three 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 required to volunteer at least six 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 http://web2.bgu.ac.il/cisp/ for details.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

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.

All students are required to take Hebrew language (Ulpan) in Israel before the semester begins. 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.

Additionally, students must also submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

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 six to eight weeks are 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.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

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.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Fall Semester 2008 is $133, for Spring Semester 2009 is $126 and for Academic Year 2008-9 is $267 and includes the following:

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

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee 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. 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.)

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

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.

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 February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and 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.

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 October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1 st for fall or academic year participation. 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.

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.

Return to the Study Abroad Home Page