Program terms: Fall, Full Academic Year, Spring
Restrictions: Vanderbilt applicants only
Type of Program: Direct University Enrollment
Costs: Budget Sheets
Academic Calendar: Similar to VU
Key Dates:

Term	Application Deadline	Program Dates
Fall 2025	03/03/2025	To be determined
Full Academic Year 2025	03/03/2025	To be determined

In this program, students directly enroll at the University of Haifa, a university located on Mount Carmel and with a student population of over 18,000. This program is a good option for students wishing to take coursework in the humanities and is best suited for those who are independent, proactive, and self-motivated.

Location

Haifa is Israel’s third-largest city and largest port, and is the cultural hub of northern Israel. Like Tel Aviv, Haifa has a Mediterranean coastline with beautiful beaches. It’s also close to the Carmel mountain range, and home to the Bahá'í World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its beautiful gardens. Entertainment and recreation is available in the form of cinemas, restaurants, cafes, clubs, beaches, and outdoor activities in the Carmel National Forest.

Academics

Students in this program MUST register for the equivalent of 12-18 Vanderbilt credits at Haifa. Students are advised to have back-up courses in case their first choice classes are fully occupied. Coursework is available in a wide variety of subjects including anthropology, Middle East studies, religious studies, Jewish studies, communications, psychology, and more. For a full list of subject areas, visit the Haifa International School website: http://uhaifa.org/index.php/study-abroad  

International students enroll in classes alongside Israeli students. The academic environment, teaching style, course structure and grading scale may be quite different from that of Vanderbilt. Students should be prepared to adjust their expectations.

Much of the learning in study abroad takes place outside of the classroom. Students should balance academics with community engagement, social/cultural activities, travel, and fully take advantage of what a semester in Israel has to offer.

Vanderbilt students receive direct credit from study abroad programs offered through the Global Education Office. Grades and credits awarded will appear on the Vanderbilt transcript and count toward the GPA.

Housing and Student Life

Students who study full-time in the International School live in the student dormitories on campus. Dormitories house Israeli and study abroad students together. Vanderbilt students will be housed in one of two dormitory complexes:

• Federman dorm rooms have modest apartments with three double rooms and a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living space.
• Talia dorm rooms have spacious apartments with six single rooms, each room with its own bathroom, and a shared kitchen and living space.

Students have access to the University Library, computer labs, and wireless internet access. For a fee, students may also access the athletic facilities. There is a security guard at the dormitory entrance 24 hours a day.

The University of Haifa's Student Association plans activities all year long, including weekly movie or sports nights, opportunities for volunteering, cultural evenings, and other events and parties.

Visa

You must have a passport that is valid for the duration of the time you expect to be abroad and for at least six months after your program ends.

Visa application forms are to be completed during the University of Haifa application process. Israeli visa requirements vary based on your country of citizenship. It is your responsibility to verify with the Israeli Embassy closest to you what the specific requirements are for a person with your citizenship. All students must receive their proper visa before leaving for Israel.

For more information about obtaining a student visa, visit: http://overseas.haifa.ac.il/index.php/2017-05-25-11-30-01/pre-arrival-information/information-before-arrival

Application

You will complete two applications simultaneously. One is a simple application with very few requirements which serves to help the Global Education Office determine your eligibility to study abroad. At the same time, you will fill out an application to the University of Haifa's International School to determine whether or not you will be accepted into the program.

To begin working on your GEO and University of Haifa applications, click on the Apply Now button near the top of this page.

For More Information

For more information or to ask questions about your GEO application, you may contact this program's Global Education Office advisor listed at the top of this webpage.

Don't forget your fellow students! Student perspectives can be very valuable to your information-gathering and decision-making. You can check out other students who might have gone to Israel among GEO's Study Abroad Alumni or talk to one of our Peer Advisors about study abroad in general.

Useful Links

University of Haifa International School Study Abroad
Course Catalog
Search Vanderbilt Course Equivalencies
University of Haifa facilities

For more information, visit program homepage.

Fact Sheet

Housing: Dormitory
Minimum GPA: 3
Language of Instruction: Arabic, English, Hebrew
Language prerequisite: No
Additional prerequisites: N/A
Costs: Budget Sheets
Student contacts: Peer alumni

Photo: Bahá’í Gardens, courtesy of Jessica Alexandria Crowell