Experience Israel Travel Scholarships

1. Background

a. This scholarship has been established by the Fund for Jewish Higher Education to support students undertaking the "Experience Israel OLES2155".

b. Experience Israel involves full immersion in the local culture of Jerusalem and the chance to commence studies in Modern Hebrew with Hebrew university-level teachers. Taught in Jerusalem, the program includes 40 hours face-to-face teaching, and up to 15 hours of cultural activities, including intercultural competence development in the form of a seminar. Cultural activities include visits to historical and cultural sites in Jerusalem and surrounding towns. You will be introduced to Hebrew contemporary culture and society as well as the basics of Hebrew language and conversational skills through immersion.

c. The scholarship can be used to offset expenses associated with this trip such as airfare and accommodation. It cannot be used to offset tuition fees as these are paid as per usual through the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant being currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must be a domestic or international student.

c. Applicants must be enrolled in OLES2155: Experience Israel.  

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit, and

II. a personal statement and evidence of financial hardship (if applicable). 

b. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial hardship in one or more of the below: 

I. identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015,

II. low socio-economic status,

III. carer responsibilities,

IV. long-term medical condition/disability (including ongoing effects of abuse),

V. sole-parent responsibilities,

VI. regional or remote disadvantage,

VII. refugee status,

VIII. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+), and/or

IX. first in family.

c. Preference may also be given to applicants who:

I. are enrolled in Modern Hebrew or Jewish Civilisation units at the University of Sydney in the year they intend to travel, and/or 

II. have not been awarded other bursaries, scholarships or funding support for their travel to Israel for OLES2155. 

d. The Scholarship will be awarded by the: 

I. Chair of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies, or their nominated delegate, and

II. At least two academics from Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies. 

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $1,400. 

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a one-off payment on receipt of Scholarship Acceptance Form.

c. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted. 

d. The Scholarship is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university. 

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. does not undertake study overseas as approved,

III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance, 

IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application, 

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.  

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.