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April 5, 2024
EVANSTON, Ill. – Two new undergraduate study abroad programs in Israel will be offered by Northwestern University beginning in the 2014 spring quarter.
One program will focus on the modern state of Israel and the other on the distinctive nationalized and high quality medical healthcare system that helps place Israelis among the healthiest people in the world.
With the addition of the two new programs, Northwestern will offer five study abroad opportunities in Israel. In January 2013, as a result of a change in the University’s international travel policy for undergraduates, Northwestern began offering three programs in Israel.
Both of the new programs will take place at the University of Tel Aviv University and be taught in English. They will be led by Professor Elie Rekhess, Visiting Crown Chair in Middle East Studies in Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
Students will take four courses and have the ability to earn quarter credits toward their Northwestern requirements. In addition to class work, they will take field trips to historical and archaeological sites, kibbutzim, medical institutions and research facilities.
Interested applicants must apply to the programs by Nov. 1, 2013.
“The Modern State of Israel: Politics, Economics and Ethnicity” will focus on Israel’s political system, economic development and unique ethnic structure, including Jewish immigrant groups and the Arab and Druze populations. It will explore Israel’s historical-religious heritage, not only as the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity but also as the largest immigrant-absorbing nation relative to the size of its population.
In addition to course work, students in “The Modern State of Israel” will explore immigrant and minority localities (e.g. Bedouins, Ethiopians, Muslim and Christian Arab communities, mixed Jewish Arab townships) and economic, political, health and cultural issues relevant to these populations. Field trips will complement class lectures and readings.
“Public Health in Israel” will expose undergraduates to the distinctive nationalized and high quality medical healthcare system for which Israel is known. It also will focus on the delivery of medical relief in disaster situations -- another area in which Israel is internationally recognized. Israel’s expertise in the delivery of healthcare to immigrant and minority populations will be a focal point of the program. Students will learn about the policies and barriers to healthcare delivery to culturally and economically diverse populations.
Students in the public health program will visit important health organizations, such as the Red Cross, Israel Emergency Medical Services, the National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Research and the National Simulation Center (where they will role-play emergency scenarios).
Both programs will be of interest to students with a broad range of academic interests. For program information, visit the Office of International Program Development, email ipd@northwestern.edu or call (847) 467-6953.
