Brandeis, Middlebury Launch Joint Program in Israel

Brandeis University and Middlebury College announced this week that they are establishing a study abroad program in Israel that will be conducted exclusively in Hebrew. Located in the city of Beer Sheva, and affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the program will begin offering classes in the spring of 2012.

The curriculum, drawn from Brandeis’ Hebrew Language and Literature Program, is designed for high intermediate and advanced Hebrew language students, and all coursework will be conducted in Hebrew. Qualified students will also be able to enroll directly in courses at Ben-Gurion University alongside local students. Students will be housed with Israeli students in residence halls and will adhere to the Middlebury College Language Pledge – a promise to speak no language other than the one they are studying. Anticipated initial enrollment is about 10 to 15 students per semester.

The Israel program is the second collaborative effort between Brandeis and Middlebury. In 2008 the schools started the Brandeis University-Middlebury School of Hebrew, a joint summer program.