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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Israel 2019/2020 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Social Studies

Field of study:
International Relations and Energy Security

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
spring 2020

Period of placement (from-to):
2020-03-01 - 2020-07-31

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
https://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Global/Pages/General/Courses-taught-in-English.aspx

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Learning Agreement, academic recommendation, Confirmation of Studies, Transcript of Records, Student VISA, Passport, and Israeli insurance

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
Half year, starting with the home university selection process

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Passport, Acceptation letter, Consular fee

Length of wait for visa:
One week

Fee for the visa:
About 1200 Kč?

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes, once

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
Through internet; I had to write my preferences to the host university coordinator who subsequently signed me on.
I could not study technical subjects as I lacked relevant education so far.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes, midterm and final. Only in writing because of Covid 19.

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
I exchanged the Israeli credits to the ECTS system due to an host university recommended ratio and send the form to my home university to be approved.

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
The classes and exams took place via Zoom due to the Covid 19. I went for two field trips, which were in accordance with the restrictions at the time.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
Small classes as well as in home university. But I cannot really compare as I was mostly instructed through Zoom due to Covid 19.

How did you receive study materials?:
Via Moodle, a student software

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
All of them were interesting.

How well is the school library equipped?:
The host university was mostly closed due to Covid 19.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
The host university was mostly closed due to Covid 19.

Options from printing and copying:
The host university was mostly closed due to Covid 19.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
Trips to desert, nearby Gaza, etc.; themed parties, and gatherings; walks to get to know the university town better, an Arab-Israeli conflict session from point of view of soldiers in combat, ...

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
4

or describe in your own words:
Local students spent most of the time in the host university town, at the dorms. I shared an appartment with locals and through them made connections all over the country.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Mostly in Be'er Sheva, Hod HasHaron, and a tent.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
332 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
Water, electricity, and city tax

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
As for the spring and summer, just few sweathirts, not a coat or jacket. Take everywhing you might need. It will be definitely more expensive to get it in Israel.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
There are Facebook pages where you could find sublets in Israel. Start 2-3 months before arrival.

What are the catering options?:
Depends on the budget.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
2.5 times more expensive

Transport to location of placement:
Airplane, buses

Rough prices for transportation:
115 EUR

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Go to local transportation office and get a student status on your car. The host university coordinators will explain.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Bus connections are horrible. Buses might arrive both earlier or delayed. It is usually better to walk.
1 EUR for a town bus ticket. As for the intercity ones, depends where you go. Be'er Sheba - Tel Aviv around 9 EUR.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Student VISA

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
Clalit - In Beer Sheba, there is the largest hospital in Israel, operated by the company. For a student, Clalit is cheaper than others. 2.50 USD per day.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
No

Did you work during your studies?:
No

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
Foreign student work is prohibited by the Ministry of Interior Affairs

Tips for free-time activities:
Go to the desert, travel, specialised clubs at BGU, make connections with locals

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
90000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
0 CZK

Number of supported months:
5

Total number of months:
5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
Full time work before arrival to the destinations, other sources of income

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
0 USD

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 USD

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 USD

c/ amount of other fees (which):
125 USD

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
6300 ILS

a/ of which for accommodation:
1300 ILS

b/ of which for catering:
2000 ILS

c/ travel and recreation:
3000 ILS

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
Honestly, I have no idea.

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
26

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
52

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes, it is specified in the Learning Agreement

What problems did you have with recognition?:
None

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
2

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
Covid 19, the heat

What would you recommend to take with you:
I already commented on that.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
Zoom classes. I could take them anywhere in the country.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
The amount paperwork I would not expect in such a digitalised country as Israel.

Further comments: