Arava Institute for Environmental Studies: Cost, Coverage & How to Fund It
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a MASA-affiliated semester program at Kibbutz Ketura in the Negev desert, offering one of the world's most distinctive academic experiences in environmental studies and sustainability. What makes Arava exceptional is its deliberate coexistence model — Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and international students study together, tackling the Middle East's most pressing environmental challenges in a region where environmental cooperation transcends political conflict. Academic credits are affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Program Highlights
- ✓Groundbreaking coexistence model — Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and international students study environmental issues together
- ✓Located at Kibbutz Ketura in the Negev desert — an immersive natural laboratory for desert ecology and sustainability
- ✓Academic credits affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- ✓Core curriculum covers Middle Eastern environmental issues, water policy, renewable energy, and ecology
- ✓MASA grant eligibility — participants can receive $1,000–$4,500 toward program costs
- ✓Field research and hands-on sustainability projects in Israel's most ecologically diverse region
What's Included
- ✓Semester coursework in environmental studies, desert ecology, and sustainability
- ✓Field research and lab projects in the Negev and surrounding region
- ✓Housing at Kibbutz Ketura — desert kibbutz life is fully integrated into the program experience
- ✓Meals in the kibbutz communal dining hall
- ✓MASA grant coordination and application support
- ✓Israel excursions and cross-border environmental field trips
$250 one-time account opening fee applies
What Parents Say About Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
“Nothing prepared me for Arava's coexistence model. I shared a classroom with Israeli and Palestinian students tackling the exact environmental challenges we were studying. It was academic, emotional, and transformative. Israel Prepaid's Bronze Plan made it financially accessible — my parents planned ahead.”
“The Arava Institute is unlike any environmental program in the world. Desert ecology, water policy, renewable energy — all taught at the source, in the Negev. The coexistence dimension added a layer of reality no classroom can replicate. Israel Prepaid covered it all.”
Stories are illustrative of typical parent experiences.
How Israel Prepaid Covers Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
The Bronze Plan is recommended for Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. The earlier you enroll, the lower your monthly payment and the higher your coverage.
| Enrollment Age | Monthly Payment | Guaranteed Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Age 0 | $89/mo | $35,976 |
| Age 3 | $105/mo | $32,392 |
| Age 5 | $119/mo | $30,044 |
| Age 8 | $151/mo | $26,584 |
See exactly what you'd pay for Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Use our Inflation Calculator to see what this program will cost in 10–18 years — and how much you save by locking in today.
Open the Inflation Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions About Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Other MASA Programs Covered by Israel Prepaid
Ready to lock in coverage for Arava Institute for Environmental Studies?
Start a Bronze Plan today. The earlier you enroll, the more you save.