This is the kind of school I always wanted to go to. It is a group of scholars in the classical sense of the word and I’ve met people who I hope to be friends with for the rest of my life.
WHERE IS THE ARAVA INSTITUTE?
The Arava Institute is located on Kibbutz Ketura on the southern border of Israel and Jordan, 30 minutes north of Eilat in the Arava Valley. The Kibbutz location provides an opportunity for students to explore a unique way of life. Kibbutz members are dedicated to mutual aid and social justice following a socio-economic system based on the principle of joint ownership of property, equality and cooperation.
Although the Arava Institute Campus is separated from the area of the Kibbutz that houses members and their families, students are integrated daily into the live of the Kibbutz members through activities and three meals a day in the Kibbutz dining hall.
WHO WILL I MEET AT THE ARAVA INSTITUTE?
The student body at the Arava Institute is comprised of Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, and students from around the world. By living and learning in this diverse environment, you’ll be able to build global networks with like-minded students and professors, while developing communication and leadership skills needed for cross-cultural cooperation.
WHAT WILL I STUDY AT THE INSTITUTE?
The academic program at the Arava Institute consists of an interdisciplinary program comprised of courses in diverse environmental fields, including environmental sciences; environmental ethics; policy and economics; renewable energy; ecology; and sustainability. Click here for a full list of courses.
WHAT WILL MY COURSES LOOK LIKE?
Courses are taught by leading environmental professionals. All courses are taught in English and take place at Kibbutz Ketura. Typically students take 4-5 classes during each semester.
While most courses take place in classroom settings, there are also opportunities for hands-on and field study components. In addition, the academic program includes educational field trips throughout the region during each semester.
WHAT WILL I DO IN MY FREE TIME?
Students take advantage of the exceptional campus community and a unique desert location to enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities including hiking, yoga, music, and other opportunities to share with each other their cultures and backgrounds.
Each semester, student groups – from conversational Hebrew and Arabic, Salsa dancing, gardening, and creative writing – are part of a comprehensive campus life program at the Institute. In Addition, living on a Kibbutz provides a variety of community programs and events that students can participate in.
Many students may choose to travel in their free time. The Israeli public bus system and Arava regional bus system both stop at the Kibbutz and provide easy transportation to Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and throughout the region.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?
Each semester at the Arava Institute spans over the course of four months. For exact program dates, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
WILL MY CREDITS FROM STUDYING AT THE ARAVA INSTITUTE TRANSFER TO MY CURRENT SCHOOL?
Yes. Students receive official transcripts and academic credits from recognized academic institutions. Before applying, we encourage you to talk with your study abroad office to make sure that your credits will be accepted.
CAN I APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?
The Arava Institute offers full and partial scholarships to eligible students from around the world. Many students attending the Arava Institute come from backgrounds where educational funding is not available. The Scholarship Fund supports exceptional candidates in the semester program and ensures that different social and cultural groups are represented at the Institute.
Please write to admissions@arava.org for more information on how to apply for an Arava Institute scholarship.
Additionally, there are numerous external funding resources available to students from the around the world. Please click here to learn more about these opportunities.
