What is Calanit?

The Calanit Absorption Center is a unique Israeli housing arrangement accommodating new student immigrants during their first months in Israel. The center provides furnished rooms and apartments and various Hebrew and study programs.  Our goals are to assist young adults from all around the world who wish to continue their academic studies in Israel.

Programs

Two absorption programs are available at Calanit:

Hebrew Ulpan

The center offers Hebrew ulpan classes at various levels, all known for their high standards and qualified teaching staff. Courses begin twice a year, in March and September, for a duration of five months.

The Calanit ulpan is intended for olim aged 18 to 30, and for external students on condition that they fulfill the center’s requirements. All olim must have a matriculation certificate. The aim of the ulpan is to offer Hebrew studies that will enable students to continue their academic studies upon its completion.

During the ulpan course Student Authority counselors offer assistance in a number of languages on academic study options following the ulpan.

TAKA

A pre-academic program which prepares olim for continued studies at institutions of higher education in Israel.  The five-month study program (there are two sessions per year) takes place at the Ashkelon academic college. The study curriculum includes academic courses in Hebrew, English, computers and other required university subjects.

The Student Authority supervises the TAKA program and determines admission criteria, and acceptance to the program. Candidates for TAKA are required to pass a Hebrew entrance exam at an intermediate level and must have a partial academic background.

Location

Located in Ashkelon, an ancient city in an excellent geographic location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Today, Ashkelon boasts an elaborate municipal framework and a high quality of life geared to its over 120,000 residents. A beautiful green city with splendid beaches and a comfortable climate it is situated within an hour and a half drive to Jerusalem and under an hour to Tel Aviv. The various sections including beaches, shopping centers, The Barzilai Medical Center, The Ashkelon College and residential neighborhoods are easily accessible to the residents in a well-organized transportation system.

Population

The Calanit absorption center accommodates young olim with an academic background or those intending to study at an institution of higher education as one of their first steps in Israel.

Calanit residents come from a variety of backgrounds, creating a meeting place for 18-30 year old students from twenty different countries. The olim register for one of our programs prior to aliyah and plan their arrival according to the starting dates of their program.

Recreation and Services

The cultural diversity at Calanit give the Absorption Center a unique atmosphere, expressed in the social and cultural activities organized by the Calanit staff together with the center residents.

Activities include seminars, trips, lectures, workshops and cultural evenings. Involvement with the local community and connection to Israeli society is encouraged and achieved through (optional) social projects, invitations to municipal functions and assigned adoptive families.

The extensive staff serves as a supportive family for the olim offering a helping hand, guidance in technical and bureaucratic arrangements as well as emotional support.

Center facilities include a social and cultural club, and a computer room with fourteen PCs and Internet access for the student’s use.

Why Calanit?

• Because at Calanit we have spent more then ten years assisting thousands of young students in their first months in Israel and this is our expertise.
• Because you want to learn at a high-standard ulpan, and Calanit is known to be one of the best in Israel.
• Because we understand that you want to maintain your independent way of life,  but are also looking for a supportive entrance into Israeli society.
• Because higher education is a key to your future and we can help you get there.
• Because Israel is a unique gathering of Jews from all over the world and at Calanit you will be part of that experience.
  

Because you are looking for a place to call home!

Calanit Absorption Center
307 Berger Street
Ashkelon 78211
Tel: 6737373 (08)  Fax: 6716018 (08)
mkcalanit@jafi.org   http://mkw.jafi.org.il/ashkelon/kalanit 

Last Updated: December 21, 2005