Drexel Spring Break in Israel:
Unique Ecosystems and Sustainability Innovations

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Program Overview
 

Located within the nexus where three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa - come together, Israel contains a rich diversity of landforms, natural ecosystems, flora and fauna. Housing about 9 million people in a country the size of New Jersey, Israel has continually been at the cutting edge of sustainability innovation. This course immerses students directly into the natural and built wonders of Israel. Along the way, we explore the ecology of the diverse areas we encounter, and we investigate the environmental challenges confronting these areas amidst the stressors of climate change and rapid population growth. Next, we collaborate with local Israelis engaged in addressing a present issue of sustainability. Finally, we take back home lessons learned in Israel and apply them on our own campus in the form of a progressive project of urban ecosystem enhancement.

Course Learning Objectives:

• Describe the primary identifying characteristics of the four main physiographic provinces of Israel (Mediterranean Coastal Plain, Central Hills, Great Rift Valley, Negev Desert).
• Apply the Layer Approach of ecology to be able to “read” the landscapes of various landscape types – regardless of geographical location - from ecological, cultural, and cognitive perspectives.
• Identify and describe human-caused pressures upon sustainability, including climate change, on urban or other heavily-human-used land.
• Collaborate productively and fulfillingly with others of diverse ethnicity, culture, age, etc.
• Apply basic principles of ecology to natural landscape restoration and conservation within an urban framework, including design-build of small-scale green improvements.
• Fulfillingly practice the art of outdoor exploration.

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Academics

Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for BIO T380 for 3 credits as a part of their spring term. Students must leave space for these 3 credits in their credit load, or will otherwise be billed for exceeding the 20 credit term maximum.

Graduate students are invited to apply, with the support of the academic department.

Instructor
This program is lead by Professor Scott Quintel (smq24@drexel.edu), Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Ecopreneurship program

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Program Calendar

Arrival Date: March 19
Departure Date: March 30
*Students may extend their travel independently before or after program dates.
Students will likely need to depart on March 18 to arrive on March 19.

Tentative Itinerary Overview
 

Class	Topics	Activity
DAYS 1-2	COURSE INTRODUCTION – COURSE OVERVIEW – STUDENT INTROS – WHAT’S AN ECOSYSTEM? – LAYERS OF THE LAND – LAND MOSAICS: MATRIX, PATCH, CORRIDOR – INTERCONNECTEDNESS – ART OF EXPLORATION MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL PLAIN	Introductions Exploring the Mediterranean Coastal Plain and Marine Environment Guest: Sigal Abramovich, Head of Earth & Env. Scis. at Ben Gurion University of the Negev
DAYS 3-4	THE CENTRAL HILLS OF ISRAEL	Exploring the Central Hills and Judaean Mountains Guest: Sharoni Shafir, Head of Institute of Environmental Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
DAYS 5-6	THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY OF ISRAEL	Exploring the Great Rift Valley, Including the Dead Sea Guests: Benny Chefetz, Dean of Agriculture, Food & Environment at Hebrew U. and Yael Mishael, Director of Hebrew University Center for Sustainability
DAYS 7-8	THE NEGEV DESERT	Exploring the Negev Desert and Wilderness Area Guest: Ofer Ovadia, Chair of Scientific Committee of School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben Gurion University of the Negev
DAYS  9-10	PRACTICING SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION	Participation in Local Project of Water-Related Conservation and Sustainability
SPRING TERM (TIME  TBD)	WEEKLY PROGRESS REVIEW AND REFLECTION REGARDING VIDEO PRODUCTION AND SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT	Discussion of Video and Campus Sustainability Projects
TBD	COURSE WRAP-UP – SCREENING VIDEO AND FINAL REFLECTIONS	Screening Our Documentary Final Exchange of Reflections

 

NOTE: This program will be quite active, involving hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Students will need to be physically able to participate in this ICA. 

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Program Fee - $2,095

Due 11/15/2022 - $500
Due 1/15/2023 - $1,595
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.

Included in Program Fee:

• Lodging

• Expert guided tours

• Entrance fees

• Local transport

• Quarantine Insurance and Emergency Assistance

Not Included in Program Fee:

• Airfare

• Most meals

• Spending money

• Visa cost (if applicable)

• COVID test (if required)

ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students’ eligible for additional financial aid.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's ICA Scholarships.

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More Information

• Visa: US citizens do not need a visa to participate in this program, but students of other nationalities should confirm entry requirements. Passports must be valid for 6 months after program start date.
• A recommended flight itinerary will be provided. Students are responsible for booking their own airfare.