Israel Public Diplomacy

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Registration is open for the Fall semester: August 28 – December 25, 2013

Israel Public Diplomacy is our cutting edge Study Abroad program which is unique to Real Life Israel and is already endorsed by a number of organizations, such as Jewish Federations in the US, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israel on Campus Coalition. We have established partnerships with several organizations including: The David Project, Honest Reporting, Stand With Us and Masa (Masa is a joint project of the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency for Israel).

This program is geared towards, but not limited to second and third year college students. It was built as an effort to provide you with the tools and knowledge to engage the anti-Israel sentiment on campuses and elsewhere in a positive and well informed manner. You will have the opportunity to see the areas of conflict, meet important personalities from different spheres of Israeli society including Knesset members. The courses are credited and taught by respected professors and other educators in Israel.

See what Michelle from Stand with Us had to say about being a Representative for Israel

Real Life Israel offers:

  • Interdisciplinary academic courses taught by experts in their fields
  • Academic credit through Gratz College, Pennsylvania
  • 5 educational 4-day seminars throughout the country
  • Individual Project
  • Hebrew language learning
  • Unique volunteering opportunities
  • Exciting trips & other activities
  • Accommodations based in Jerusalem, the heart of the country

Academics

Through this program you have the opportunity to gain a high level of university education related to Israel. The program’s unique combination of courses are credited through the American based Gratz College, which was established in 1895. Courses include Hebrew Language, Marketing Fundamentals, Media & Propaganda, Public Speaking, Negotiating in a Challenging Reality and the History of the Arab-Israel Conflict. The courses are taught by top academic experts who have many years of experience delivering lectures in a dynamic and engaging manner. Credits may be used towards a North American undergraduate or  graduate degree.

In addition you will have the opportunity to hear noted speakers on various seminar topics as relate to the overall curriculum. You will travel to different sites to hear these speakers on-location. Seminars will include foreign ministry day and seminars in areas of contention.

A full course catalog is available upon request at info@reallifeisrael.com.

Seminars

During the semester you will take part in five extensive seminars (Wednesday morning to Saturday night) during which you will explore different regions of Israel from various perspectives. In each seminar you will learn about the historical background and Jewish heritage of the area, as well as about other local cultures and religions, the political and demographic challenges and social and business entrepreneurship activity in the region.

Individual Project

The Individual Project is a semester-long assignment on a public diplomacy topic of your choice. You will work on the project continuously throughout the semester and present it at the end of term. The project can be in any format, for instance a research paper, video, PowerPoint presentation, educational activity kit etc. Upon completion, all the projects will be made available for use by any person or organization that wishes to use it for their purposes.

Tours and Locals Activities

Our in-house team of tour guides and trip coordinators carefully plan periodic trips throughout the country which are geared to give you a well-rounded and unique experience of  the country as a whole. We also offer local activities and day trips around Jerusalem. These trips and activities are structured to be directly relevant to the curriculum. As you are learning about specific political happenings you may go out at meet key personalities that were involved. In another instance, as you are learning Israeli history you may then be able to view the historical sites where your lesson topic took place.

Accommodations

Accommodations are arranged to be in proximity to your place of study. You will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of your surroundings by immersing yourself in an Israeli neighborhood interacting with locals.

 Contact Natasha at info@reallifeisrael.com  for more information.