Important Travel Information - Am Yisrael World Travel Program

The concept of a gap year or semester program is based on the idea that today’s youth need time to mature, recharge their batteries, and prepare themselves for the rigors of university life.  There is no doubt that Aardvark Israel’s World Adventure Program gives students that chance through exciting and memorable trips designed to enhance their semester or year in Israel and deepen their understanding of the greater world around them, while also gain a fuller appreciation for the reaches of the Jewish community worldwide.  The trips are designed for the students to have a great time, but at the foundation of each itinerary is a strong educational rationale designed to enrich the lives of the participants.

Aardvark Israel’s travel programs have three basic components.  The first is to see each country as any tourist may, visiting the major tourist sites and experiencing the local culture.  The second component is to contextualize the experience within the prism of Jewish history.  Participants will be challenged to explore what happened to the Jewish people in each country and how the country currently fits into the narrative of Israel as a state.  Finally, there is an emphasis on meeting the local Jewish communities of each country in order to help strengthen the concept of Klal Yisrael (the unity of the Jewish people.)  Visiting Jews internationally allows participants to broaden their conception of what it means to be a Jew in the world today.

Traveling abroad for each one-week trip will illustrate to participants how much Israel has become home to them.  After arriving in Israel, students will quickly get used to living as a part of a Jewish majority surrounded by Jews all day long.  As participants journey off to foreign lands, they will find their travels out of Israel will actually serve to contextualize their experience in Israel and both broaden and strengthen their conceptions of Zionism and Jewish Peoplehood.  Each trip provides a fun break from the routine, allowing students to take a step back and gain perspective, remembering that their gap year experience is time for exploring who they really are as adults and Jews.

Staffing
On each Aardvark World Adventure tour there will be a professional tour guide who is well versed in the particular country being visited.  In addition, Aardvark Israel staff members that know the students will accompany the trips as well.

Safety and Security
Each student will bring their cellular phone with them abroad and will get an international sim card to use on each trip.  Like in Israel, this will allow the staff to be in contact with the students during any free time that is offered as a part of the program.  Aardvark Israel will also be in contact with the local Israeli and American embassies to know of any security situations that may arise.  Local medical facilities will be available in each country and all students and staff will be fully insured with a medical policy that includes medical evacuation by air back to Israel if necessary.

Vaccinations
Some vaccinations are recommended or required.  Specific and detailed information will be provided upon registering.  Families are also encouraged to speak with their doctor or visit a travel clinic to determine which immunizations are recommended for their child.

Costs
The Am Yisrael World Adventure program prices include round trip airfare between Israel and the foreign destination and all program costs associated with each trip, including meals during foreign travel.  The cost of any visas which may be required are not included in the program tuition.