Reviews of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) | Israel

Useful | 0

jasong

The College of New Jersey, Ewing, United States
Political Science, Undergraduate, Independent

Student life

Describe host city:

Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Gaos, the bar in the Gimmel dorm was the best place to go simply b/c of convenience but also b/c it catered to the college crowd. Go to festivals and outdoor markets whenever you can. take advantage of the opportunity to go camping, hiking, and bicycling throughout the country(but not before checking on safety warnings; also, make sure to bring plenty of water).

Useful | 0

dlf1stfidl

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, Undergraduate, Independent

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why?

The dorms are wonderful, but an apartment would allow slightly more privacy and maybe have thicker walls. I am afraid to move at night for fear of waking my roomates...

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

It is in a very good location with a lot of friendly people. The apartments themselves are very nice too concidering they are university housing. Deluxe compared to American dorms. Very nice!

Useful | 0

Carlos R

Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
Humanities, Undergraduate, Independent

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

One of the reasons I went to Israel is because I really wanted to be exposed to Hebrew. In and outside the classroom my experience exceeded my expectations. We could apply what we learned in class in many daily life situations, and we got a pretty good exposure to "slang" that we could latter use while hanging out with Israelis.

Useful | 0

silverl

George Washington University, Washington DC, United States
International Relations, Undergraduate, Independent

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

No, it wasn't.

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

Living with Israelis really added to the opportunities to learn the language. Although it is tempting to always turn to your American friends because there is no language barrier, oush yourself to hang out with your roomates or other Israelis to further improve your Hebrew communication skills.

Useful | 0

anonymous

University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, United States
Political Science, Undergraduate, Overseas Student Program

Overall

I wish I had known...

Access to computer labs/e-mail/printers.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

3

Activities

3

Campus life

3

Party / people

3

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

EXCELLENT - go!

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

Make friends with Israelis. Have fun - but don't forget about your coursework. Travel

Useful | 0

jasong

The College of New Jersey, Ewing, United States
Political Science, Undergraduate, Independent

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why?

doing so provided an opportunity for interaction with Israeli students; I ended up becoming good friends with one of my roomates

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

they should make space heaters available to the students in the program b/c while in the summer it is very hot, by the end of the semester, it was pretty cold

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU)

About iAgora

Company

Work

Studies