Tel Aviv University (YAU)

ok this is a long story, the arnona which are municipality taxes for all those who occupy a house are quite high and monthly, if u r not resident or student for a quite long period of time health insurance is deadly expensive, dentists are out of this world, dammit pricey. alcohol is very expensive as well, so are cigs but less than in the EU. computers are quite cheap but anything else like cameras n so on is 300% more expensive, so then mind some duty free shopping. good clothes are definitely pricey but u can find really inexpensive stuff as well in the markets, supermarket is deadly expensive, try to hook on a street market once a week. books are definitely expensive a lot expensive, so then keep in mind buying online might be a lot cheaper. theatre and opera are deadly pricey mostly. music is also expensive, software is surprisingly cheap, it's a high-tech country. other money-saving tips? get a furnished place to live (most of them are) coz furniture is expensive, but believe me.... not expensive deadly expensive, really disgusting damn expensive. beware int'l calls, better get some cards, in mobile phones go for orange and better in regular account but they will allow it only if u've got credit card (visa). it's very easy to use credit cards almost anywhere, even to buy a bottle of water in a kiosk so then if u r able live on credit for sometime. don't go in huge overdrafts with israeli banks, they allow it and they are very flexible and understanding, but you wont be able to leave the country unless all your debts are cleared up.

well i think i said enough, but if i can say something else, come here... it's a wonderful experience... u can't miss it. but be prepared for a cultural shock, israel looks so european and it's such a modern country with a cosmopolitan thing that you'd be surprised, but it's a weird place, you will feel the middle east not by the atmosphere of the cities, but by the character of the people, believe me... you'll really feel it.

don't be scared, hebrew seems a difficult language, but israeli modern writing is quite simple if u are used to left-2-right writing languages. the slang is easily learnt and everybody uses in all situations, from the court to the taxi driver. you need quite some time to get along n understand it quite well, but try your best because most israelis are if not perfectly, fairly bilingual and u can spend months without being forced to speak any hebrew at all. another thing, the hebrew grammar a foreign speaker learns isn't really in use because as coming from biblical hebrew is considered obsolete, so then do fine in your exams and learn the grammar but dont be so pushy about it or people will wonder about you, it's considered quite fine speaking such correct hebrew. if u r long enough in the country and have the time n speak hebrew good enough u can't miss a course in arabic, it's really helpful, with the hebrew it eases up a lot and it's a great linguistic experience interacting with both languages

the apartment was definitely gorgeous, i loved it and i strongly recomment that if u study for a long term period in israel go to find a flat with or without roomates, it's a whole israeli experience, you have all choice of prices and locations and facilities.

the best spots? hummm... i think mike's place at the beach in hayarkon an amazing blues club, the pub in hayarkon 55, resembles european style pubs, very authentic and great music n atmosphere, owned by a swedish amazingly nice woman. the cafe bar giora in front of dizengoff center, excellent food and nice atmosphere with a gorgeous pub underground. and the fidel cafe in the 3rd floor of the castro fashion store, has a wonderful design, absolutely pooshy and fashionable with very very reasonable prices, it's fantastic. and best disco? i think lilinblum 25, it had 4 different scenes, the best music, great drinks, all sort of alternative styles but if u mind the gay thing better don't go