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Penn State University Hillel

May 26- July 20, 2025
8 weeks
Tel Aviv
18-34
$999
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About This Program

Penn State Hillel Onward Israel is geared towards students from Penn State looking to live and work in Israel over the summer. This opportunity stretches to a variety of different internship placements and allows students to gain experience in an international community. Participants will get to live with other Penn State students on top of traveling and learning throughout the experience. We are very excited to welcome students from Penn State, UPenn, and University of Texas- Austin on this Onward program!

Build your resume through a high-level internship based on your skills, interests and future plans. Intern 4-5 days a week, and immerse yourself in contemporary Israeli society through the Israel Now Days, group activities, with a cohort of other young adults from Penn State University, a weekend seminar, and more. The Israel Now days will include visits to local NGOs and explorations of contemporary Israeli culture, environment, and politics. We are very excited to welcome students from University of Texas- Austin, Penn State and UPenn on this Onward program!

During your free time, explore Tel Aviv’s exciting nightlife, beaches, foodie scene and culture. Enjoy a weekend at an Onward Israel breakout seminar and explore all that Israel has to offer on free weekends.

This Birthright Israel Onward- Masa program is operated through the philanthropic support of leading North American Foundations through the Birthright Israel Foundation, the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency, along with Hillel International and Penn State Hillel. It is organized by IGT. For more information about participating in a long-term Masa program after Birthright Israel Onward and the potential impact on future Masa grants, view our FAQ here.

Program Cost

999$
In addition, participants will be required to submit a $400 security deposit via Zelle. Deposits will be refunded at the end of the program pending good standing.

The program cost includes housing, educational programming, program staff, basic medical insurance, and ground transportation within the city of residence.

Participants are responsible for the cost of flights, food, and phone coverage. To learn about this and other Birthright Israel Onward program details, please visit our FAQ.

 

*Participants are encouraged to purchase flights with a good refund policy or flight insurance. Birthright Israel Onward is not responsible for the cost of flights should the program be cancelled. Note, participants will be given their expected address approximately two weeks before the program begins, if not earlier.

 

*Scholarships to help offset the program cost may be available for those who need additional assistance and meet Onward’s eligibility criteria. For more information, contact Birthright Israel Onward or your local partner professional.

Accommodations

Apartment, hostel, hotel, or dorm-style housing in Tel Aviv.

The number of participants to an apartment or room is dependent on the size of the accommodations and number of participants on the program. Though Birthright Israel Onward housing can vary from program to program, all housing units meet Birthright Israel Onward standards. To learn more about this and other Birthright Israel Onward housing details, please visit our housing FAQ 

Acceptance Criteria

Applicants from Penn State University with an interest in interning with the field that compliments what they are studying. Commonwealth campus students should contact Rabbi Rob Gleisser, Rabbirob@pennstatehillel.org for clarification.

  • Participants MUST be available to participate for the entire length of the program.
  • Must be a Freshman, Sophomore or Junior at Penn State and interviewed by Penn State Hillel
  • Identify as Jewish- please refer to our FAQ for more information.
  • Applicants must NOT have spent 3 or more consecutive months in Israel after high school, or participated in a Birthright Israel Onward program or any other mid-term or long-term educational program in Israel.
  • Fluent in English.
  • Have a valid Passport for at least 6 months after the program end date.
  • Must meet Masa Israel Journey Eligibility criteria, including not having received Masa funding towards participation on a previous program.

To review eligibility – click here.

Please note: If you wish to participate in a 10-day Birthright Israel trip, consider doing so prior to an Onward program. You will not be able to participate on Birthright Israel trip after participating on Onward.

Sample Internships

  • Social Media and outreach internship with local NGO or non-profit
  • Business Development internship with social media start-up
  • Event coordination and promotion intern for management company
  • Public Relations internship with a museum

 

Applicants interested in internships in the fields of STEM, Finance, Law, and Medicine please click here for some important information regarding placements.

 

Not sure what type of internship you are looking for or unsure if you can find it in Israel? Our internship coordinators work one-on-one with each participant!

Contact Information

Rabbi Rob Gleisser, Rabbirob@pennstatehillel.org

This program is in partnership with:

And organized by: IGT

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