April 27, 2009
Beginning this fall, for the first time in seven years students from the University of California (UC) system will be able to study for credit at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem through an approved UC Education Abroad Program (EAP). This policy shift occurred after years of strong lobbying from students and campus professionals to have the UC administration reconsider their position on the suspension of the EAPs in Israel. To discuss ways that UC campuses can best promote study abroad in Israel among their students, over seventy committed pro-Israel advocates convened at the San Francisco Federation on Sunday, April 5, 2009, for the first ever California Study Abroad Summit.
Through the generous support of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, the Summit brought together students and professionals from fifteen different California campuses, including UC and Cal State schools and Stanford University, as well as professionals from 11 of the ICC’s member organizations. Representatives from the UC administration were also present, including the Vice Provost Dr. Daniel Greenstein and Acting Executive Director of the EAP Dr. Michael Cowan. Speakers for the day included Cowan, Israel’s Consul-General to the Pacific Northwest Akiva Tor, Goldman Visiting Professor and Head of the International School at Haifa University Hanan Alexander, Ilan Wagner from the Jewish Agency for Israel, Avi Rubel and Lital Carmel from MASA Israel Journey, Susan Stern from Ben-Gurion University, and Linda Cedarbaum from BlueStarPR.
Feedback about the day has been overwhelmingly positive. Students from UC campuses left with concrete plans to increase demand for study abroad in Israel programs, including incorporating study abroad in Israel into Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations, placing ads in campus media, and hosting study abroad parties in student residences. Students from Cal State and private schools, on the other hand, left energized to convince the administrations of their universities that study abroad in Israel programs need to be reinstated. After hearing from Summit co-chair Yonatan Barkan about the steps UC campuses took to start their campaign, students began making their plans. “Students were stepping up and wanted to take leadership roles in the campaign. It was great to see their enthusiasm!” remarked ICC Associate Director Raina Goldberg. Each track will continue their efforts with support from campus Hillels and ICC member organizations.
If you would like more information about the Summit, study abroad in Israel programs, or ways to reduce barriers to study abroad in Israel, please be in touch with Israel Education Initiatives Associate Andrea Sorin at asorin@israelcc.org or 202-449-6583.