Pre-Departure

In a few days, I will leave for the University of Haifa. I’m set to leave Saturday evening and arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday afternoon. Am I finished packing yet? Not even close (but that’s to be expected)!
When I get to Haifa, the first 3 weeks of my program is an intensive Hebrew-acclimation program called Ulpan. This past week, I took a placement exam that I’ll turn in when class starts on Monday. I’ll then be placed into a level based on my Hebrew ability (speaking, writing, and reading). After that, the semester begins. I’ve signed up for classes, but have the opportunity to “shop” them for the first two weeks.
As of now, I know that I’ll be living in an apartment/suite in the student dorms with 5 other people. We’ll each have our own bedroom and bathroom, and there will be a kitchen and common area to share. It should be a mix of international and Israeli students (who could speak Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, etc.).
The last (and only!) time I went to Israel, on a Birthright trip during the summer of 2008, we weren’t even in Haifa for 24 hours. I’m really excited for getting to know the city and surrounding areas. For those who don’t know, the city of Haifa is on the top of a mountain (Mt. Carmel), and is right next to the Mediterranean Sea. It is also the center of the Baha’i faith—their famous gardens run down one side of the mountain.
As for this blog, I’m planning on making it very accessible— I’m going to try to explain everything, and please let me know if I should go into further detail! I can’t promise I’ll update on a weekly basis or anything, but I’m going to try to do it somewhat regularly.
The next post will be from Israel—I can’t wait!

**My photos from June ’08: the Bay of Haifa at night and the Baha’i Gardens from below.