Arava Institute Study Abroad: Cost, Coverage & How to Fund It
Arava Institute Study Abroad is a MASA-affiliated academic semester program at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Kibbutz Ketura, offering international students a fully credited semester in environmental and sustainability studies in Israel's Negev desert. Affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the program is distinguished by its coexistence classroom model — bringing together Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and international students to study the region's most urgent environmental challenges from a shared cross-border perspective, with transferable credits recognized by most US universities.
Program Highlights
- ✓Credited semester in environmental studies at one of the world's most unique coexistence academic settings
- ✓Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian students study together in the same classroom — real-world cross-border dialogue
- ✓Academic credits affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- ✓Deep immersion in Negev desert ecology, water policy, and Middle Eastern environmental science
- ✓MASA grant eligibility — participants can receive $1,000–$4,500 toward program costs
- ✓Transferable academic credits recognized by most US universities through BGU affiliation
What's Included
- ✓Full semester of credited coursework in environmental studies and sustainability
- ✓Housing at Kibbutz Ketura — communal desert kibbutz life integrated into the program
- ✓Meals in the kibbutz communal dining hall
- ✓Field research, lab work, and excursions throughout the Negev region
- ✓MASA grant coordination and application support
- ✓Academic transcript through Ben-Gurion University for US credit transfer
$250 one-time account opening fee applies
What Parents Say About Arava Institute Study Abroad
“Arava Study Abroad gave me an environmental science semester I couldn't have gotten anywhere in the US. Studying water policy with Israeli and Palestinian researchers at the same table — that is an education that changes how you think. Israel Prepaid's Bronze Plan made it affordable.”
“I came for the sustainability coursework and was transformed by the coexistence model. Living on a kibbutz in the Negev, studying with students from four countries — it was the most real academic experience of my life. Israel Prepaid covered every dollar.”
Stories are illustrative of typical parent experiences.
How Israel Prepaid Covers Arava Institute Study Abroad
The Bronze Plan is recommended for Arava Institute Study Abroad. 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 |
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