First-Year Study Abroad Program

Our program gives you an exciting and unique way to enter university life as an international first-year student. You’ll make new friends from around the world while experiencing Israel’s rich and vibrant culture through field trips, social activities, and courses, including Hebrew, Israel, and Middle East studies. Jerusalem will be a second classroom for you, full of colorful sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.

Our First-Year Study Abroad program will strengthen your research and writing skills and provide you with strong academic and social support. It will give you a solid initiation into academic study, and the credits you earn will be transferable to most top-tier colleges and universities abroad. After completing your first year at HebrewU, you’ll be prepared for success at a range of top-notch institutions around the world.

Studies begin with a mandatory pre-semester program and orientation, where you’ll get to know your peers and acquaint yourself with the university campus and the city of Jerusalem.

You will be taking introductory-level courses in Jewish, Israel, and Middle East studies, as well as in social sciences, and Hebrew.

Program Structure & Credits

Fall Pre-Semester Program options

Prior to the fall semester 2026, students will have two options to choose from:

The Riddle of Jerusalem:Uncovering the Mysteries of the Holy City

Through numerous field trips to sites throughout Jerusalem, you’ll explore the city in its various stages of development: from Biblical times to the Middle Ages, and onward to the present.

Summer Ulpan

Students who begin their studies in the fall semester may choose to enroll in the Summer Ulpan, instead of the “Riddle of Jerusalem” option. An “Ulpan” (pronounced “ool-pan”) is a studio or class designed for intensive instruction of Modern Hebrew. For more than 50 years our Summer Ulpan has been the jewel in the crown of our yearly work. Thousands of students benefited from our best qualified and most experienced teachers and celebrated the atmosphere of Jerusalem and student activities. The Summer Hebrew Ulpan is a great way to learn or improve your knowledge of the Modern Hebrew Language.

Spring Pre-Semester Program options

This program is currently in development. Please refer to the calendar for detailed dates.

During the semester

• Modern Hebrew (4 -16 credits)
• Two or three introductory-level courses (3 credits per course)

You can view the introductory courses open to first-year students in our course catalog. We also invite you to review our faculty list to see with whom you may be studying.

To get involved in the community and to help make a difference, you may choose to enroll in a 12-credit program per semester and volunteer with one of our community service projects at a nonprofit organization in the Jerusalem area. Once a month, you’ll meet with other volunteers to learn about a specific social issue facing Israeli society.

You’ll be invited to participate in a wide array of trips, tours, and activities offered by the Office of Student Life. From a tour of the Old City, to a trip to the Dead Sea, to checking out the festivals that are held throughout the year, you’ll build your own unique impressions and memories of Jerusalem and Israel.

While residing on the Mount Scopus Campus with other international and Israeli students, you’ll have a chance to form new friendships and get involved in campus life. A team of multilingual Israeli students, called madrichim, is also there to help you adjust to your new surroundings and give you tips on things to do. Learn more about student life at HebrewU.

Experience Jerusalem’s incredible mosaic of cultures, foods, religions, and peoples. Stroll through a lively street market or spend an evening with friends at a trendy nightclub. Immerse yourself in the lively arts and culture scene, or discover the city’s religious mosaic. Entrepreneurs, creatives, scholars, scientists, and activists all flock to Jerusalem, making it an exciting place to study abroad.

Make new friends and new memories as you discover first-hand Jerusalem’s rich history as well as its vibrant and innovative culture. Learn more about Jerusalem in the Student Life section and start planning your adventure.

Apply by:

Fall/Year: June 30

Spring semester : November 15

Program length: Semester or year

View our Course Registration Deadlines.

For financial information, see Tuition & Fees for Other undergraduate

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships based on demonstrated need or merit are available. To apply, follow the procedure required by your local office.

A High School diploma with a minimum of GPA 3.0 or equivalent is needed to be eligible for the program. Both options require a letter of consent from your guardian(s) if you are under the age of 18.

English Language Requirement

If you are from a non-English-speaking country and have not previously studied at a secondary school where the language of instruction is English, you are required to take an English proficiency test.

A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based test is required. The school code for TOEFL is 0206. Equivalent Cambridge or IELTS scores are also acceptable.