By: Keri Rosenbluh
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, novel approaches to learning continue to emerge from universities across the globe. One such approach that has gained considerable momentum is the integration of international travel into academic courses. These faculty-led initiatives combine traditional learning with immersive encounters in global settings, facilitating meaningful, cross-cultural experiences.
In sync with this growing global trend, the Faculty of Humanities has developed a rich portfolio of international courses that offer students the opportunity to broaden their horizons. This past year, a remarkable lineup of 15 such courses opened doors for students of the humanities to journeys that spanned the Far East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
The allure of such courses lies in their fusion of academic exploration and real-world engagement. These journeys, carefully crafted to blend classroom theories with experiential learning, offer a holistic approach to education. Students step beyond the theoretical confines of their textbooks and lecture halls, and engage directly with the subject matter while immersed in the societies and environments they study. It’s a convergence of learning and wanderlust, pedagogy and adventure, and the end result is a profoundly authentic educational experience.
Memorable Journeys: A Closer Look
This past March saw an awe-inspiring exploration of Jewish Morocco, offered by the faculty’s Dept. of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry and the Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies. A cohort of 20 graduate students participated in a semester-long course entitled “To the Edges of the West: Moroccan Judaism,” taught by Dr. David Guedj. The course culminated in an 8-day study tour of Jewish Morocco, unveiling the remarkably colorful tapestry of history, culture, traditions, and languages showcasing the rich legacy of Morocco’s Jewish past. Exploring the Jewish communities of Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, Essaouira, and Demnate, students and accompanying faculty members visited key historical sites, Jewish quarters, synagogues, cemeteries and museums memorializing Morocco’s once-thriving Jewish community. The students actively contributed to the tour curriculum, each giving a lecture based on research papers completed prior to departure. The course is the first in a new series initiated by Prof. Noah Hacham and offered by the Institute of Jewish Studies – one course per year highlighting a specific Jewish community and including an international study tour. Next year’s course will focus on Jewish Germany, promising students yet another extraordinary journey of learning and exploration.
Prof. Yossi Maurey, Chair of the Department of Musicology, and Dr. Yona Hanhart-Marmor of the French and Italian Department of Romance Studies, led a group of 17 students from varied academic backgrounds on a journey through 19th century Paris in May. During the tour, participants explored the political, artistic and cultural dimensions of the City of Light, while considering how the city's spatial layout was intimately linked to these aspects. According to Dr. Hanhart-Marmor, the course offered students “an in-depth understanding of the City of Light and its role in French culture, far exceeding what could have been achieved within the classroom.” Extensive walks throughout the city allowed students to engage first-hand with the wonders of Paris, revealing iconic landmarks and delightful surprises along the way. The course itinerary included museum visits, student-led lectures, and thought-provoking conversations with expert historians, as well as 19th century highlights including the Conciergerie, the Opéra Garnier, and the Galeries Lafayette. Aside from it being a deeply intellectual and cultural experience,” shares participant Hadas Bram, “the study tour reminded me of the reason I chose to pursue a degree in the humanities. We approached the subject matter through diverse content worlds (music, art, literature, and archaeology), and shared meaningful learning experiences. The seminar allowed me to experience the city in a truly unmediated way, with intriguing talks and lectures by professors and peers that brought the streets of Paris to life.”
A group of 35 students, academic staff, and guests embarked on a journey across Mongolia this past September, led by a trio of professors: Prof. Michal Biran, Prof. Gidi Shelach-Lavi, and Prof. Reuven Amitai. The study tour, reflecting a rich tradition of academic excursions at the Institute of Asian and African Studies, was conducted as part of a course entitled “In the Footsteps of Chinggis Khan: Mongolia – Past, Present, and Future.” Focusing primarily on Mongolia’s history and archaeology, the course spanned from ancient times to early medieval nomadic empires, and then to the Mongol World Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries. In addition, participants explored Mongolia’s subsequent history, from its struggle for independence to decades of Communist rule and its post-Communist era. Beyond the historical and archeological immersion, participants marveled at Mongolia’s breathtaking landscapes and vast animal herds, while exploring facets of nomadic and modern urban culture. Long jeep rides on rugged roads, accommodations in felt gers (yurts), and encounters with unfamiliar cuisine – all taken in good cheer – contributed to a learning adventure which, according to Prof. Amitai, “has left an indelible mark on the participants, promising to enrich future studies and research endeavors for many.”
Expanding the Reach
In encouraging the continued development of diverse short-term international courses across all faculties, Hebrew University’s International Office provides financial support for such courses through its annual call for applications. Funds are typically used to offset programming costs, making these immersive learning experiences increasingly accessible to interested students.
As the curtain rises on these transformative learning experiences, the world becomes a classroom, and the curriculum a tangible realm of diverse perspectives, cultures and realities. The Faculty of Humanities invites students to embark on these captivating educational experiences which are likely to resonate for a lifetime, traversing not only geographical borders, but also the frontiers of students’ own understanding.