non R/C coming to israel

[comets8518]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in coming to israel for a 2-5 month period after I graduate undergraduate this summer. Do you guys know anything about au pans (butchered spelling).

I believe the only way I could is if I worked on a kibbutz but I would definately like to work somewhere I can earn money, possibly fly a bit, have fun etc etc.

possibly volunteering for Magen David Adom but they require a understanding of hebrew much higher then my close to zero.

any information or things you guys know would be great to here.

[shaul_ei]

Hi there,
Since your post is not R/C related I take the liberty to reply the post in a similar way.
You were probably referring to ULPAN which is the place were immigrants are supposedly studying Hebrew. Frankly, Hebrew is very different from English (It is not an Indo-European language) and cannot be properly learnt in a few months unless you have a very good talent towards languages. So, if you are not planning to immigrate to Israel, why bother?
As for Living in a Kibutz. Well, most kibutzs are now either rapidly declining or transforming into suburban townlettes. Even in their prime, 40 years from now, their over-all population did not amount to 5% of the total population. If you want to learn about Israel, you should meet Israelies. Israelies leave in Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Rishon-LeZion & Jerusalem. Living in a Kibutz in order to see Israel is like living in an Indian reserve in Arizona in order to see the US.
As for working in Israel. I don't know if you have an Israel Citizenship or not. If you have, then you might come looking for work. You might find something. Who knows. We have unimployment rate of just under 9% so with some luck you will be able to take someone's job. If you do not have an Israeli citezenship, you are forbidden to work here. We have laws here, and this law is enforced with vigor.
Why won't you just come for three months like any other tourist to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Tel-Aviv and Eilat? It will be more pleasent and legal.

[comets8518]

Well,
I am Jewish by birth, and I can already read hebrew. Years ago I could speak choppy hebrew private school.

thanks for the information though, very helpful.

[lempert]

The Kibuts are still active and glad to share their life with volunteers. You can find details here:

KIBBUTZ PROGRAM CENTER - TAKAM-ARTZI
18 Frishman Str./cr. Ben Yehuda Tel-Aviv 61030
Tel: 972-3-5278874 / 5246156
Fax: 972-3-5239966
E-Mail: kpc@volunteer.co.il

[comets8518]

Great thanks.

I did say volunteer and not Work I do not want to work. I just know that through an Ulpan it is much cheaper then if I just came on my own money. Also I would even enjoy volunteering for Magen David Adom. I'd come for the experience not for the money or to live in israel, also learning the language (at least at a conversational level) would just be a plus not a necessity.

thanks for the info guys

[Up&Away]

Hey Shaul, don't be so negative! There are still plenty kibbutzim operating and thriving.

Comet, my son has been volunteering for the past two years at MDA and it is tough. You will first have a very intensive two week course (08:00 till 21:00). Hebrew is a must! I would suggest you have a look here http://www.wzo.org.il/en/programs/view.asp?id=145 and take it from there.

[oded mazor]

I can highly recommend voluntering in a Kibbuz. choose one in the the center of Israel and you'll have the time of your life. they do work quite hard but the social life are great. you'll meet many jews your age from around the world, not to mention the Kibbuz and surrounding girls (I know, I am married to one).

the Kibbuz is a great experience, both social and educational. today's Kibbuz's are not too far from city life so you certainly do not feel like you're living in an Indian reserve (Shaul, just wait until I tell Maayan about your metaphore... ;) ).

good luck, Oded.

[shaul_ei]

Oded & Ido are two good friends of mine but I think we have a major political difference regarding the very essence of the future of the state we live in.
In one phrase - I'm NOT Zionist.
In a few ones: The state of Israel has a severe problem of overpopulation and an even a worse problem of society disintegration. My diagnosis to both maladies is the same - insane immigration policy. Furthermore, most immigrants to Israel that came from the US after high-school age, and I did meet quite a few, are finding assimilation very tough for several reasons.

[comets8518]

Shaul_ei,

I understand what you mean, but I am not trying to assimilate in. I just want an international experience as I didn't get to study abroad in University, and I have a year off before I start medical school.
I wanted to not be so sheltered with the U.S., I wasn't born here but I was young when I emmigrated. The jews in America all like to think they know whats goign on in Israel but the truth is most don't and I just want to experience it for myself, for only 2-3 months at a budget I can afford. I understand living on a Kibbuz's isn't like living in Haifa or Tel Aviv but I would get out on the weekend and experience as much as possilbe.

[Up&Away]

Like you Shaul, I am not a Zionist. I made aliyah because I was fed up being the eternal outsider, even in my country of birth Holland. Making aliyah, under the best of circumstances, is not easy. But it helps if you feel there's no other country that let's you feel like you're "home". Or are an ardent Zionist. Or have a large fortune. Or are just nuts.

But we digress. Comet wants to spend some time in Israel? Good for him. We should make him welcome, whatever the reason he wants to be here.

[comets8518]

Also a very important point has been over looked. The can I possibly fly at all over there?
are my 72mhz radio systems illegal in Israel? A little EPP wing should pack well :)


thanks again for the help guys

[oded mazor]

don't worry about flying on 72mhz, that's the legal frequency in Israel. bring as many planes as you can.

two important points,
1. talked to my wife and she said that the Kibbutz voluntering programs is full of trips around Israel as part of your Israely experience. so you are not really stuck in one place, you get to see all of Israel with your friends and enjoy both worlds (Kibbutz & rest of Israel).

2. in which med. school do you plan to study in ? I am a med. student myself (on my last year :) ) . I study in Tel Aviv university. the University offers an excellent med. school for foreign students called "Sackler program". all studies are in english. of course most of the students are jews from the US experiencing Israel. other universities in Israel offer other programs for foreign student if you're interested.

Shaul, we'll continue our discussion in the flying field...

Oded.

[shaul_ei]

OK 'Comets'. You should come and fly with us. I use 72.670 so make sure you bring another channel. Oded is fooling us all flying 36MHz (Is it so? Oded). We have a nice patch 10 minutes walk from the Beach about 5 Miles north of Tel-Aviv. As I mentioned earlier, the country is packed (and almost grass-less during the summer) so you should let us know where you stay so we can direct you. The Medical schools in Israel (there are four) are all excellent (I should know, my wife is a physician), so if you get to one of theme you are making a good choice. You are most welcome to visit us here.
Shaul

[comets8518]

I'm going to study in Texas, not sure which one yet (there are 7 in Texas but only 4 are on my list). I'd never thought of studying in a foreign medical school before. Coming back with all the certifications would be hard I imagine.

I don't know if or when I'll come, I am just looking for my options. I will certainly atleast come watch if its unrealistic to bring planes (which I bet it is).

We're in luck though because I use 72.210

[oded mazor]

good luck with your choice, I guess it is not an easy one.

just for common knowledge, the main advantage of Sackler med. school is the fact that its considered by the US authoroties as an American (US) university, so graduates do not need special exams or certificates (as far as I know) when they start working back in the US. the US see them as every other New Yorker med. school graduate, that's opposed to most other foreign med. school.

good luck, Oded.