Ben-Gurion University (Israel)
The Program
Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev was established in 1969.
The university was inspired by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, who believed that the future of his country lay in the Negev. The university boasts a student population of over 18,000. BGU has exceptional programs in Peace Studies, Desert Studies, Pre-Medicine, Anthropology, Global Health, Sustainable Development, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
Program Location
Israel
Be'er Sheva
Be'er Sheva, known as the capital of the Negev desert, is one of Israel’s biggest cities. Its location on the main trading road junction between East and West and its availability of water has contributed to its importance throughout history. The Old City is home to Abraham’s well and ancient remains, and the new city contains a wealth of cultural institutions, a center for the arts, shopping malls, movie theaters, opera, restaurants and dance clubs. It also hosts Israel’s largest Bedouin market. Less than an hour away are the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Mitzpeh Ramon, and Masada. Here, modern and ancient collide.
Academics
In order to have an idea of what classes are available, you should visit the Ben-Gurion University website. In addition to the regular classes Ben-Gurion also offers special track programs in the following content areas: Sustainable Development, Global Health, Israel Studies, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
BGU also offers internship and research opportunities to visiting students in a number of different fields. For more information please visit the BGU Internship and Volunteering web page.
Students are required to enroll in an Ulpan, an intensive, six-week immersive Hebrew language course held prior to the fall and spring semesters. This six credit course is mandatory for all study abroad semester and year students prior to their period of study at BGU.
You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to Ben-Gurion University and Rutgers University. Students are required to enroll in the Ulpan (6 credits) and a minimum of 4 other courses (2-4 credits per course) during the regular semester. The credit translation system between Ben-Gurion University and Rutgers University is 1:1, meaning a 3-credit course at Ben-Gurion University will also be a 3-credit course on your Rutgers University transcript. It is not possible to take classes not-for-credit, nor is it possible to take classes as Pass/Fail (unless the course is an internship and you receive prior approval).
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
BGU places visiting students in on-campus dormitories with Israeli students as roommates. For more information about living on-campus at Ben-Gurion, please visit the BGU web page.
Meal plans are not available at BGU. The dormitories will have shared kitchen facilities, so students are able to prepare their own meals.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $14,330 | $14,330 |
| ATW Scholarship | $600 | 0 |
| RU TERM BILL TOTAL | $13,730 | $14,330 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Excursions
• Intensive Hebrew Ulpan
• Israeli health insurance
• Administrative Fees
• On Call International Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,300 |
| Meals | $2,000 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $47 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $275 |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,000 |
| Total | $5,822.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| All Students | |
|---|---|
| Program Cost per semester | $10,515 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Excursions
• Intensive Hebrew Ulpan
• Israeli health insurance
• Administrative Fees
• On Call International Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,300 |
| Meals | $4,000 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $47 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $550 |
| Local Transportation | $400 |
| Personal Expenses | $4,000 |
| Total | $10,297.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $14,330 | $14,330 |
| ATW Scholarship | $600 | 0 |
| RU TERM BILL TOTAL | $13,730 | $14,330 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Excursions
• Intensive Hebrew Ulpan
• Israeli health insurance
• Administrative Fees
• On Call International Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,300 |
| Meals | $2,000 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $47 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $275 |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,000 |
| Total | $5,822.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.