Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions. Is there something you want to know that's not below? If so, visit our Contact Us page to ask us your question.
- What does the Tel Aviv Internship Experience program offer me?
Tel Aviv Internship Experience is a five-month professional internship program located in Tel Aviv-Yafo. This is your chance to gain the valuable experience in the public or private sector of Israel's business capital. You will be placed according to your field of interest and personal strengths giving you the edge you desire upon entering the professional world. Find out what this country has to offer by spending the next five months of your life here.
- When should I apply?
Tel Aviv Internship Experience will be starting a group once every 4-8 weeks from May 2009. It is recommended that you apply at least three months before you intend to begin.
- How do you apply?
Beginning the application process is simple. Start by completing the Preliminary Application form. Within one week after you submit your application, an Admissions Advisor will contact you to conduct a phone interview. Upon completion of the phone interview, you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance to the program and asked to fill out additional forms and post a $1000 deposit. You will receive your $1,000 deposit back upon successful completion of the program.
- Who can join the program?
Program participants must be Jewish, English-speaking, between the ages of 21-30, have not been on an organized long term program since September 2004 and have graduated high school by the program start date.
- What kind of certificate do I get at the end of the program?
At the end of the program, participants will take part in a farewell ceremony. There, each participant who successfully completed the program will get a certificate from Israel Service Corps detailing your participation in the program. A letter of recommendation will also be provided by your internship.
- What language is the program conducted in?
The program is conducted in English. All participants must have a high comprehension level of English in order to take part in all activities.
- Can I learn Hebrew on the Tel Aviv Internship Experience program?
Absolutely! During the first two weeks, you'll attend intensive Hebrew Uplan every day. During the remainder of the program, you'll contiune with Hebrew Ulpan one to two evenings per week for several hours.
- Who is responsible for the group in Israel?
Oranim Educational Iniatives is responsible for all participants while on the program. Approximately every 30 participants will have a Coordinator assigned to them (approximation is based on size of group per city). On trips, the group will also be accompanied by a licensed Tour Educator, as well as a medic/security guard when necessary.
- What will my day look like?
The program is divided into three phases: Orientation, Hebrew Studies and Interning. To get a better idea of the typical program structure, take a look at our Sample Schedule.
- Do I have any required responsibilities besides reporting for work at my internship?
In addition to your volunteer work, the program includes informational and educational seminars as well as day and overnight trips. Participation in all of the above is required.
- How much does the program cost?
Tel Aviv Internship Experience begins at $4,000. The program cost varies based on age and country of residence. For a clear understanding of the cost of the program, please see the Tuition & Scholarships page.
- Is the cost of airfare included in the price?
The cost of airfare is not included in the program tuition. Airfare must be purchased separately.
- How much money should I bring with me?
Program tuition does not cover for daily expenses such as food or social outings. Remember to bring sufficient funds to cover such things as well as toiletries and additional travel. On average, participants are spending between $250-500 a month varying based on their lifestyle. Keep in mind: Israel is not an inexpensive country and plan accordingly.
- How can I get a scholarship to participate in the program?
Tel Aviv Internship Experience is a recognized program of MASA Israel, and therefore, all program participants automatically receive a grant. The amount of the grant varies based on certain criteria and can be seen on our Tuition & Scholarships page. Participants are required to complete a separate application to receive the MASA Israel grants and can find this in the Additional Forms section of the application.
MASA Israel also maintains a list of additional scholarship options. Click here to view this list.
Also, most Jewish Federations throughout the USA and Canada will offer you some funding. To see a complete list of Jewish Federations, click here.
Another resource for finding scholarships online is Fastweb.
- What is the payment schedule?
For a clear understanding of our Payment Policy, please click here.
- What about banking?
Most banks throughout Israel provide all the banking services that participants need including ATM machines. Most international debit cards work with Israeli ATM machines (be sure that your PIN is only four-numbers to work in ATM machines in Israel). Money can be exchanged into shekels at any of the local change stands or at any of the major post office branches. The Israel Service Corps office also has a safe where money and small valuables such as passport and flight tickets, may be kept.
- Do I need health insurance while on the program?
Absolutely! You are required to have Israeli health insurance while you are on the program. Oranim has arranged insurance that will cover you the entire time of the program for $300. Simply download the forms in the Registration Center and submit them along with your payment ASAP.
- What are the living arrangements?
Participants live in fully-furnished modern studio holiday apartments within Tel Aviv-Yafo, Jerusalem or Haifa. For more specific information and to view photos, please visit our Accommodations page.
- Can I arrange for independent accommodations?
Yes, depending on the location of your accommodations. A discount on tuition would be provided. Please speak with an Admissions Advisor to discuss this further.
- What computer facilities are there and can I bring a laptop?
All program apartments are connected to wireless internet. As long as your laptop has a wireless card, you should be set to surf in minutes!
- Will I have a chance to get to know Israelis?
Yes. Each program participant is paired up (or "adopted") with a host family near to the community in which they are interning. There are plenty of chances to meet Israelis during the program: your teachers, the staff and tour guides, medics, community members, etc. We will even hold occasional events with groups of Israeli peers your age.
- Can I drop-out of the program prior to its conclusion?
No. Upon joining the program, participants are required to sign a contract that they are making a commitment to fulfill all the requirements of the program. From the start of the program, Oranim Educational Initiatives is responsible for you and your well-being. By leaving the program prior to its conclusion, you would be violating the terms of the contract that you signed. Should such a situation arise, you would be required to reimburse the funds invested in your participation in the program until that stage. In addition, if you leave the program before its conclusion, you will lose your MASA Israel funding and will be required to reimburse the program for that funding.
- How many hours per month are I required to be volunteering?
In addition to the professional internship, program participants are required to volunteer a minimum of 8 hours per month. Program Coordinators will help you create a volunteer schedule that works for you.
- If I don't like my internship or I don't fit in there, will I be able to transfer to another internship?
Prior to your arrival to Israel and during the Orientation phase of the program, Program Coordinators and Job Placement Professionals work with each participant individually to set them up with an internship that fit their specific interests. Should an arranged internship not work out, the participant should contact the Program Coordinator and request assistance in finding another internship.
- How will I get to my internship (transportation)?
Participants who are not in walking distance from their accommodations to their internship will receive a monthly bus pass.
- How can I rent a cell phone?
We have partnered with with Israel Phones to offer participants the best rental rates possible while in Israel. In addition to superior rates, calls within the group are free! More information on ordering your phone can be found in the Application Center.
- Are there any security concerns?
Oranim Educational Initiatives arranges for all proper security measures, including an armed escort and medic when necessary on all organize trips and excursions. We encourage students not to visit potentially dangerous areas such as the West Bank while in Israel. A Safety & Security session will be held during the Orientation phase of the program.
- Do I need to arrange a visa?
Tourists receive an automatic 3-month visa upon arrival in Israel. Oranim Educational Initiatives will arrange visa extensions with the Ministry of Interior near the end of the first three months (for a fee in shekels). If you leave Israel on your own and re-enter as a tourist, you receive another free automatic three-month visa.
- I am thinking about making Aliyah. Should I come on the Tel Aviv Internship Experience program first?
Yes. The Tel Aviv Internship Experience program is a great beginning for someone who is considering Aliyah. You'll spend five months living in Israel within an established community and already begin to feel part of that community. Many program participants have chosen this route to make their arrival into Israel as an Oleh Hadash and easier and more comfortable one.
- Will Oranim Educational Initiatives help me to make Aliyah once I am in Israel?
Of course! There cannot be anything more exciting for us than to see an alumnus of one of our programs choose to start a life in Israel. Our staff will help you through the exciting yet bureaucratic process of making Aliyah as well as aid you in the search for accommodation, employment and social networks.
- Where can I get more details?
Still have questions that weren't answered here? Simply visit our Contact Us page to ask us your question.
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