UMD Exchange: Tel Aviv University (Israel)

All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.

Host Institution
Tel Aviv University (TAU) is Israel's largest university hosting over 30,000 students studying in nine faculties (colleges) and over 125 schools and departments across the sciences, humanities and arts. As a major teaching and research university with high rankings in both Israel and the world, TAU offers exchange students a unique opportunity to study at a comprehensive university in Israel’s cultural, financial and technological capital city.

Host City
The University and the city of Tel Aviv thrive together as a major Mediterranean center of diversity and discovery in Israel.  TAU is located in Ramat Aviv, a district in the northern part of the city.  The city of Tel Aviv is a major center of technology, finance, culture, and entertainment. Eighteen of Israel's 35 major centers for the performing arts are located in the city; it has several leading sports teams, is home to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), Israel's only stock exchange, has been deemed a center for fashion and design, is home to a large and well-established LGBTQ community, and is a major world hi-tech start-up hub.  Also known for its architecture, Tel Aviv’s “White City” has the largest collection of more than 5,000 Modernist-style buildings inspired by the Bauhaus school, a style of architecture introduced in the 1920s and 1930s by German Jewish architects who settled in Palestine after the rise of the Nazis.  The White City is now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The city is also well known for its fantastic public beaches with cafes right on the sand.  The culture, entertainment, nightlife, and young atmosphere have helped Tel Aviv earn its reputation as "the city that never sleeps."

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Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:

• 3.0 GPA
• Completion of 2 semesters at UMD

Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.

Student Visa Information
A student visa is required for participation on this exchange. For more information, please visit our study abroad visa guide to view instructions for the country you will be visiting. Please note that visa information is subject to change and you are responsible for checking the embassy website for updates.

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1. Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
2. Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program. 
3. After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
4. If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
5. Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.

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Academic Planning

Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:

• Pre-Departure Course Selection & Approval
• Finalizing Course Enrollment Abroad
• Transcripts and Credits on your UMD Record

Coursework

In general, the language of instruction at TAU is Hebrew. However, there are a number of English-taught courses available for exchange students in a variety of fields and across many departments.  English-taught course offerings do change from year to year.  In addition to over 60 English taught courses in the regular curricula of the university, exchange students may choose a number of courses taught at TAU International, as follows: 2 courses from the TAU International program and 2 courses from the Liberal Arts program. Hebrew speaking students may choose among the Hebrew-taught courses.

 

There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD).  If you are interested in taking a course not listed in the SACD, please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.
 

Credit

All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree.  Most courses at Tel Aviv University will be converted as follows:

TAU Credit	UMD Credit
1 TAU credit	1 UMD credit
3 TAU credits	3 UMD credits

The credit conversion listed above was approved by the UMD Study Abroad Transfer Credit Committee on December 15. 2016
 

Grading

Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.

Tel Aviv University Grade	UMD Grade
C- or 70	C -

 

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Tel Aviv University cannot guarantee a housing solution for visiting students because of the excessive demand and limited supply for on-campus housing. Visiting students are required to find their own accommodation. The price range for a shared room in a rented apartment is approximately $700 per month.

Assistance in applying to the dormitories may be found: http://www.telaviv-apartment.com/ or by contacting the Office of International Affairs for off-campus housing: acadaff@tauex.tau.ac.il.

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Exchange Program Cost of Attendance
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
 

Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.

You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.

Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
• Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)

Additional Financial Resources

• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Financial Policies

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Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!

Student Clubs and Organizations
The university has a robust student union that offers social, legal, and academic services and represents students in university affairs.

International Welcome/Orientation
The university offers an orientation program including official welcoming event, a campus tour, and meeting the local social staff known as “madrichim”.  

Counseling & Health Services
The university takes health, safety, and wellness very seriously and offers English-speaking doctors through their mandatory health insurance policy, as well as mental health services.
 

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