Study Program

Courses: The Arava Institute program is a fully accredited academic program in which students earn undergraduate credit through a full‑time course load.

Students must choose 4 or 5 interdisciplinary courses each semester, covering environmental science, policy, and geopolitics.

The courses are designed to develop an interdisciplinary, transboundary understanding of environmental challenges, encouraging you to examine issues through scientific, social, political, and cultural lenses and to recognize how regional case studies connect local realities to global environmental solutions.

Integrated Community Programming: Participation in community programming is a core component of the program and required for all students. This includes:

• Dialogue Forum: A facilitated space for honest, cross‑cultural conversation where students practice active listening and engage with multiple narratives. The forum directly addresses the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and its personal and societal impacts, helping students build mutual understanding and develop skills for navigating complex, real‑world tensions.
• Community-Building Program: An intentional framework designed to cultivate shared responsibility, collaboration, and intercultural understanding. Through guided community processes, collective decision‑making, and purposeful engagement with others, you will help shape a supportive living environment grounded in mutual respect, curiosity, and meaningful connection.
• Hands on experiences: You’ll have space and support to pursue hands‑on projects driven by the interests and initiatives of the student community. Whether it’s starting a garden, organizing a repair workshop, collaborating with local partners, or prototyping sustainability ideas, we provide the facilities, guidance, and flexibility for you to turn community‑led ideas into tangible action.
• Field Trips: Most courses include regional field trips that connect your studies to the landscapes and communities around you, and you will also join one to two extended excursions of two to three days each during the semester.

Academic Requirements:

• A minimum GPA of approximately 0 (or equivalent), or a full Bagrut certificate (for Israeli applicants only).

General requirements:

• Aged between18-33
• Non‑native English speakers may be required to complete an English proficiency test.
• The Institute also evaluates whether applicants:

1. show clear interest in environmental issues
2. can live and study in a diverse international community

are suited to an intensive, dialogue-based academic environment

Required Documents:

• Arava Institute application form must be completed fully and submitted.
• One‑page essay describing why you want to study at the Arava Institute and how it supports your academic and professional goals.
• Unofficial transcript from your most recent university.
• Academic or Professional Reference (academic preferred) completed by a recent faculty member, teacher, employer, or someone who has seen you in a position of responsibility.
• Personal Reference: Completed by someone who knows you well (not a relative).
• Medical form: The AIES medical form must be completed and signed by your physician.
• Study Abroad Approval Form (required only for applicants applying via their study abroad office).
• Passport scan (international applicants only).
• A photo is required.
• Application fee: USD $50 (or 100 NIS for Middle Eastern applicants).

Additional Requirements:

• Interview: Applicants will need to participate in an interview, in -person, or online.

English Language Test: Applicants may be required to complete an English proficiency test.

Standard Application Fee: US $50 (for international students).

Middle Eastern Applicants: 100 NIS.

Please click here to pay online via credit card:

• US students only
• Israeli / Palestinian / Middle Eastern Students
• Other international students

Students outside of the United States or Middle East can pay via bank transfer and should contact the Admissions Coordinator ahead of time for details.