Ohio University Students Are Paying For Their Own Brain Washing From Israel

Peace talks between Israel and Palestine are on hold but that will not stop Ohio University from hosting their first faculty-led study abroad program to Israel for one month this summer.

Students will live in the dormitories and be within walking distance of Tel Aviv.

Rabbi Danielle Leshaw says Israel is happy and excited to bring the opportunity to Ohio University where students get introduced to Israel. 


Necessary precautions will be taken for the students as they stay at Tel Aviv University dorms, they will be chaperoned and accounted for at all times.

Students will be far away from demonstrations, avoid going anywhere near the west bank and especially traveling to the Gaza Strip and be prepared for confiscation of items upon entering the country, according the U.S. Department of State.
 
Because of fear of Americans really knowing what happens in Palestine and seeing the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli State measures have already been put in place that mandates that nobody goes to the West Bank or Gaza Strip while we are there," Leshaw said.

Students will receive 8 credit hours for an English class and either a history or international studies class while in Israel. The English class is mandatory and will focus on literature from the Middle East.

"It may sound obvious, but all of the classes taught there are taught in English," said Kevin Haworth, an English professor and coordinator of the trip. "The city is very English friendly, and that's one of the reasons we chose Tel Aviv ... the language is not a barrier."

The trip will take place next summer from the middle of June to the middle of July, costing an in-state student roughly $7,500 total, said Leshaw, who is also a program coordinator. Out-of-state students will pay costs similar to those they pay at OU.

"Students will figure out their own airfare," she said. "The cost (we give) is with an estimated $1,200 airfare, but you can probably find it cheaper. ... It includes tuition, credits, food and weekend excursions."

"We want to make sure that students see the region, and that we see (it) together," Leshaw said. "It's a way to unpack what we are learning in the classroom. ... (Students) will be able to see some of the regions that they are studying and see the geography, landscape and people."