Transport
Currency
Safety
Housing
Health
Cost of Living
Climate
Make Aliya
Transport
Israel is a small country, and it is therefore easy to get from one place to another in a relatively short time. Public transportation is convenient, and you can get to almost any destination for a reasonable price. Please note that most public transport does not run on Shabbat (service ends on Friday afternoon and resumes Saturday evening) or on Jewish holidays.
Train
Train routes connect Israel’s major urban centers Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer-Sheva, Akko, Ashkelon etc. as well as numerous smaller towns and to Ben-Gurion International Airport. For information on train times, to plan a route, and for train fares, visit http://www.rail.co.il/EN
Bus
The Egged bus company operates most of the intercity bus lines, as well as the local service in most of the large cities. Local and intercity transport in Tel Aviv and the surrounding suburbs is provided by the Dan bus company. Bus service in Be’er Sheva is provided by private companies. The fare for all bus lines is reasonable, the buses are comfortable and usually air-conditioned, and there is regular, frequent service.
Monit Sherut
Service taxis called “moniyot sherut” run along the main roads in major cities and between cities, generally along public bus routes. Sheruts are in essence minivans that operate as shared taxis.
To catch one, just raise your hand and flag down a van. One of the biggest perks of the sherut is that you can ask the driver to drop you off at any point along the route, as opposed to just at bus stops. Note that while sheruts operate on Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday), fares will be slightly higher.
To catch one, just raise your hand and flag down a van. One of the biggest perks of the sherut is that you can ask the driver to drop you off at any point along the route, as opposed to just at bus stops. Note that while sheruts operate on Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday), fares will be slightly higher.
Taxi
You can find taxis pretty much everywhere in the city and at anytime, day and night. By law, drivers must operate the meter for rides within the city. We recommend that you ask a driver to use his or her meter, even if they suggest a fixed price at the beginning of the ride.
Currency
The State of Israel’s currency is the New Israel Shekel (NIS) or shekel for short (pluralized as shkalim in Hebrew or shekels in English). There are 100 Agorot (agora in singular) in each shekel. Bank notes are in denominations of NIS 20, 50, 100, and 200; coins are in denominations of 10 NIS , 5 NIS, 2 NIS, 1 NIS and 50 and 10 agorot.
All foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices or licensed exchange agencies in most cities. A passport is required when exchanging travelers’ checks. The rates vary from place to place, and banks charge a commission.
Holders of international credit cards can withdraw local or foreign currency at banks, which accept their credit cards. There are ATMs outside most banks.
To open a bank account as a foreign resident, you must bring your passport showing your Israeli visa. Banks require a small fee to open the account and an initial deposit (100 shekels is enough). It is recommended to open a current accounts (called over v’shav in Hebrew) which can be used for paying bills, money transfers and everyday transactions.
All foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices or licensed exchange agencies in most cities. A passport is required when exchanging travelers’ checks. The rates vary from place to place, and banks charge a commission.
Holders of international credit cards can withdraw local or foreign currency at banks, which accept their credit cards. There are ATMs outside most banks.
To open a bank account as a foreign resident, you must bring your passport showing your Israeli visa. Banks require a small fee to open the account and an initial deposit (100 shekels is enough). It is recommended to open a current accounts (called over v’shav in Hebrew) which can be used for paying bills, money transfers and everyday transactions.
Safety
The level of security in a country is definitely something you consider when choosing a study destination. The millions of tourists that visit Israel every year prove that Israel is a safe place to travel and live in. Israelis are very security conscious and many measures are in place to ensure that residents and visitors are secure. When you enter a public complex such as a shopping mall, train or bus station, or sports stadium, you will usually go through a metal detector and have your bag checked by a security guard.
All Israeli higher education institutions take the well-being and security of their students very seriously. Security guards are stationed at campus entrances and all off-campus activities are run in conjunction with the relevant security authorities. Students are given security instructions and guidance by their institution.
All Israeli higher education institutions take the well-being and security of their students very seriously. Security guards are stationed at campus entrances and all off-campus activities are run in conjunction with the relevant security authorities. Students are given security instructions and guidance by their institution.
Housing
There are different accommodation options for you to choose while living in Israel. Figure out which one suits you and your lifestyle best.
On Campus Accommodation
If you wish to stay close to the library, or enjoy the vibrant campus life, most institutions offer on-campus accommodation options. Usually this option will be cheaper than renting an apartment in the area, and the cost includes all bills. You can find more information about on-campus accommodation options on the institution's website.
Rent an Apartment
Apartments for rent come in all sizes and prices, and can be found just about anywhere. Some apartments come fully furnished, while some include basic equipment only. Look around for what suits you best.
Very commonly students in Israel share apartments with flat mates, sharing the cost of rent, phone, internet, electricity, gas and water bills.
The best way to find an apartment and/or flat mates is through social media platforms and relevant websites.
Very commonly students in Israel share apartments with flat mates, sharing the cost of rent, phone, internet, electricity, gas and water bills.
The best way to find an apartment and/or flat mates is through social media platforms and relevant websites.
Sublet
For those who come to Israel for a short-term program, and wish to find an affordable accommodation solution, subletting a room might be best option.
If you do choose to sublet, check out a few details in advance:
If you do choose to sublet, check out a few details in advance:
- Make sure the landlord/landlady knows you are subletting the apartment, and that she/he agrees to it.
- Once you find an apartment you like, speak with the person subletting it about the total price and what it includes (e.g. bills, house committee fees etc.)
- Sign a sublease agreement.
Health
Israel is a developed country with an advanced level of health care, diagnosis and medicine. Most of the people in the health care field understand and speak very good English.
Pharmacies are well stocked with everything you might need, and in case of an emergency or serious illness you will receive the best medical treatment at any Israeli hospital.
Most higher education institutions require international students to have full health insurance while in Israel. Before arranging your health insurance, we advise you to look at the institution's website for more information about the requirements and the different health insurance options.
Pharmacies are well stocked with everything you might need, and in case of an emergency or serious illness you will receive the best medical treatment at any Israeli hospital.
Most higher education institutions require international students to have full health insurance while in Israel. Before arranging your health insurance, we advise you to look at the institution's website for more information about the requirements and the different health insurance options.
Cost of Living
Climate
Israel is a four season destination. With long dry summers (April - October) and mild winters (November-March) there's no bad time to visit and travel in Israel.
The good thing about the Israeli weather is that it's quite predictable, so unexpected rain will not ruin your traveling plans.
The good thing about the Israeli weather is that it's quite predictable, so unexpected rain will not ruin your traveling plans.
Annual Average Temerature in Israel
Make Aliya
The word Aliya describes the immigration process of people with Jewish background to the state of Israel. Those eligible to make Aliya are Jewish people as defined by Israeli Law, their children, grandchildren and spouses.
If you are interested in making Aliya you will be asked to demonstrate eligibility and go through an application process.
For information about the Aliya process please visit the Jewish Agency website: http://www.jewishagency.org/aliyah
If you are from North America or the UK and interested in Making Aliya another organization you should know about is the "Nefesh B'nefesh" organization. Nefesh B’Nefesh has designated departments geared towards catering to the specific needs of new immigrants, including: Higher education consulting, and post Aliyah – employment services,
For more information visit the Nefesh B’Nefesh website: http://www.nbn.org.il/
If you make Aliya you may be entitled to a subsidized higher education through the Student Authority as a part of your benefits package from the Israeli government for making Aliyah.For more information visit the Student Authority website: https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/Topics/student_authority
If you are interested in making Aliya you will be asked to demonstrate eligibility and go through an application process.
For information about the Aliya process please visit the Jewish Agency website: http://www.jewishagency.org/aliyah
If you are from North America or the UK and interested in Making Aliya another organization you should know about is the "Nefesh B'nefesh" organization. Nefesh B’Nefesh has designated departments geared towards catering to the specific needs of new immigrants, including: Higher education consulting, and post Aliyah – employment services,
For more information visit the Nefesh B’Nefesh website: http://www.nbn.org.il/
If you make Aliya you may be entitled to a subsidized higher education through the Student Authority as a part of your benefits package from the Israeli government for making Aliyah.For more information visit the Student Authority website: https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/Topics/student_authority
- בניית אתרים