Despite the challenging times in Israel and the Jewish world, the University of Haifa remains a multicultural academic oasis of beauty, stability, and resilience. On the crest of Mount Carmel in Haifa – the only city in Israel where diverse cultures and religions coexist peacefully in an unmatched sense of community — students from all over the world live their Israel experience to the fullest.
High academic ranking and a new AI oriented program
“We’re proud and grateful to have started all 20 English-taught master’s programs on-time, despite the war,” says Prof. Adar Ben-Eliyahu, UHaifa International’s Academic Head. “This year we’re also proud to rank 28th in the world in the field of Communication and 41st in the world in Public Administration, according to the Shanghai Global Academic Ranking.”
“The past year has challenged us to be agile and create more study options for our students,” says Ben-Eliyahu. “We also decided there’s no time like the present to create one of our most innovative master’s program specializing in Environmental Intelligence. This program offers students the opportunity to learn how to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to come up with environmental solutions. As our university holds the highest national score in the Times Global Impact Ranking, creating the new program was a natural step in our efforts to make the world a better place.
Ben-Eliyahu adds that most of UHaifa International’s master programs can be completed in just one year, and combine theory, hands-on experience, and 21st century workplace practices. The programs include an MBA in Sustainability, MBA in Technology Management, Environmental Intelligence, Data Science, International Relations, Peace & Conflict Management, Global Public Health, Holocaust Studies, and more.
An authentic Israel Experience
“Regardless of the situation, we bring our students together for as many shared Israeli experiences on and off campus as possible,” says Michal Morgenstern-Laor, UHaifa International’s Executive Director. “These include Shabbat dinners, holiday events, field trips in Haifa, Jerusalem, and many more, all designed to explore the local vibe and strengthen their sense of home away from home.”
“We also want them to experience Israel through both our past challenges and our hopes for the future,” she adds. “Last year we took the students to Kibbutz Kfar Aza and to the Nova Festival site to understand what our country went through. This year, we’re organizing another field trip to Kibbutz Beeri, so that they can become inspired by the post-tragedy reconstruction and rebuilding”.
“Coming to UHaifa following October 7th gave me an incredible sense of community and belonging,” says Joshua Buchalter a UHaifa graduate in Diplomacy Studies from South Africa, who has recently made aliya. “Despite the uncertain times, the UHaifa team showed their true colors and resilience, ensuring that our studies continued with the necessary flexibility to accommodate any unexpected challenges.”
Buchalter speaks about the significance of UHaifa’s diverse student body. “Being at UHaifa, a true reflection of Israel with students from all backgrounds and religions has actually made me feel especially safe and welcome on campus, and thankful for experiencing one of the most unique environments in the region.”
“UHaifa’s field trip to Kibbutz Kfar Aza and the Nova Festival site was an important experience for me” shares Buchalter. As a Diplomacy student engaged in Israeli politics, seeing all that has happened firsthand has made me further understand the extent of the threat that Israel is facing. I’m so appreciative for this opportunity”.
Diverse Geography, Cultures and Scholarships
The university campus resembles a microcosm of Haifa, Israel’s most diverse city in both its versatile sea-mountain-urban view and its eclectic blend of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze and Bahai. In this sense, UHaifa International’s students coming from all over the world fit in naturally. The first in Israel to align with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), UHaifa is committed to its affordable equal opportunity policy. “Our personalized student-journey provides administrative and financial support so students from all walks of life can complete their masters”, says Morgenstern-Laor. This includes merit-based and need-based scholarships for eligible students, Masa scholarships and unique D.E.I Scholarships – offering up to $3000 to students with a proven track record of promoting social impact in the fields of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
A transformative journey, in every sense
“Coming to UHaifa for my master’s degree was a dream come true,” says Daniella Florea from Romania, a UHaifa master’s graduate in Diplomacy Studies currently studying for her second master’s in Environmental Intelligence.
Florea admits that at first she had some reservations about coming to Israel. “I had heard so much about Israel and while admiring its complexity, diversity, and resilience, yet I was still a bit apprehensive to take this bold leap of faith. But UHaifa’s unique energy and welcoming vibes turned out to be the perfect place for studying, self-discovery and growing, both intellectually and emotionally.”
“Living and studying here has been a transformative journey in every sense,” she says. “Academically, I’ve been challenged to think critically and creatively while engaging with diverse perspectives that have broadened my worldview. Socially, I’ve met people from all over the world who have become an integral part of my life. The university’s multicultural environment has taught me so much about coexistence, collaboration, and the power of community.”
Florea adds that the Israeli optimism, wit, out of the box thinking and big hearts have inspired her to dream bigger, aim higher and take bold steps in her career and personal growth. “I’ve learned to break free from old patterns and embrace new ways of thinking and have been amazed by how many opportunities have come my way: academic projects, internships, and valuable networking that opened new doors for me.
“UHaifa has and remains one of the most empowering experiences of my life,” she concludes. “Besides jumpstarting my career with one master’s degree and another one on the way, I developed resilience to embrace challenges and balance life’s uncertainties with the beauty of learning and growth.”
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