By Nir Librach & Sidney Slivko

"How to describe my experiences in Israel? Well ... I learned many things about Israel and Israeli society, and mostly about what's going on inside the typical Israeli's head ... I learned about the good stuff as well as the bad. I came to understand what it really means to live in Israel ... and I feel like I made a very important step in my life."

These are the words of 20-year-old Samuel Bratsztejn, a Jewish Belgian beginning his second year at the Raphael Recanati International School of the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya. Bratsztejn, who enrolled at the IDC through MASA, says his Israeli experience has left a strong impression that most likely has changed his life.

"When I first came here I wasn't sure what to expect," he says. "Yet now, a year after I began my studies at IDC, I already know one thing for sure ... I am here to stay."

Bratsztejn's feelings are similar to those of most foreign students. Aside from connecting to Israeli culture, the students are here to study − which in itself offers the students a great advantage. Nowadays, many universities and institutions of higher learning encourage their students to study abroad for a semester or a year − because these experiences are crucial to developing successful, well-rounded graduates.

MASA has established relationships with many of Israel's prestigious colleges and universities offering some of the world's best study-abroad programs, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ben Gurion, Hebrew University and Bar Ilan.  These academic programs – and many of the others affiliated with MASA -- can make the difference in today's competitive market.  The diverse offerings enable MASA to serve all kinds of goals and interests, and in many cases offer college credit that is accepted at major North American and international universities. All this comes in an environment where students can explore their heritage and identity, and make lifelong connections.

Regardless of whether the students choose to stay in Israel or return to their home countries, MASA and the universities still consider them a success story. Those who stay strengthen Israeli society from within; those who return home become the best ambassadors Israel could hope for.

For a listing of academic programs, click here.

For information about other programs, use the search engine on our home page or visit the Programs Lobby.