Meet the Community Leaders Supporting International Students at TAU

On October 19, the Lowy International School welcomed the 2025/26 cohort of international students starting their undergraduate, graduate and postgrad degrees at Tel Aviv University. Supporting them throughout their journey will be the School’s Community Leaders, offering guidance, organizing events, and immersing students in Israeli culture while helping them become active participants in the international campus community.

Orr Abergel, the head of the community team, encapsulates the spirit of the team: “Our goal is to help international students integrate into living and studying at TAU and empower them to start their own community initiatives that will enrich their experience while in Israel.” 

Orr Abergel, the head of the community leaders team

Abergel, who has extensive experience working with international students at the Lowy International School, believes that enabling students to start their own community-building projects, such as clubs or various events, is key to having a successful and enjoyable student experience: 

“When students get to develop something they feel passionate about, it gives them an absolutely amazing feeling of being heard and being involved. They become active members of the university community.”—Orr Abergel, the head of the community leaders team

Let’s meet the team, who will be by your side on your exciting journey.

Hanna Alexander: Community Leader for Undergraduates

Hanna’s focus is on helping students feel at home and creating opportunities for them to connect, both on and off campus.

“My goal is to get to know the students, find out what they’re interested in, and build activities that make their experience here more complete.”

“That could mean social events, day trips, overnight tours, or even exploring internship opportunities,” she adds.

Thinking back to her student days at Ben Gurion University helps Hanna come up with ideas for community activities to engage students. Her background in Sociology and Anthropology, Conflict Management and Resolution, and European Studies also proves useful.

“Conflict management comes in handy in any job that involves people,” she says. “There’s always going to be some kind of disagreement, and the key is to make sure everyone feels heard and understood.”

Recently relocated to Tel Aviv, Hanna admits she’s also discovering the city through fresh eyes, much like her students. “Tel Aviv is so international,” she says.

“You hear different languages, see people from all over the world, and eat food from every culture. I live in Florentin, which is full of street art and energy. I always tell students: ‘walk around, explore, and get to know the city through your feet.’ ”

TAU international students enjoying a nice day at the beach

For first-year students, her advice is simple: take it slow. “You’re in a new country, starting at a new university, meeting new people, so show yourself compassion. It’s normal to feel homesick or overwhelmed at first. Take things step by step and try to minimize the FOMO."

"There’s always something happening in Tel Aviv, so if you miss one thing, there’s another around the corner.”

Hanna also recognizes the challenges undergraduate students might face when starting their studies abroad. “For many of them, this is the first time they’re living away from home and in a different country,” she explains. “Even Israelis their age who serve in the army can usually go home for Shabbat. That separation from family and friends can be tough.”

That’s where the Lowy’s community leaders step in. “Our job is to make Tel Aviv University your home away from home,” Hanna says.

“Whether it’s through our events or our partners’ Shabbat meals and community activities, there are always ways to connect. It’s okay to take a few weeks to adjust, but at some point, push yourself to meet people. Everyone’s in the same boat and you can bond over it.”

Tamar Solange Shalem: Community Leader for International Researchers (PhD students and Postdocs)

Solange brings a wealth of experience in social impact development, community engagement, and cultural diversity. An anthropologist by training, Tamar loves studying people and cultures. She views Israel as a ‘beautiful garden of human diversity’ where different cultures come together. Having worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a higher education counselor, Tamar is no stranger to guiding people through transitions. 

“I’ve always been interested in working with young people and diverse populations. For me, it’s about creating meaningful change and social impact.”

When it comes to navigating Israeli culture, Tamar offers valuable advice to incoming researchers: 

"Being open-minded to a very dense and dynamic culture is key."

She also emphasizes that flexibility and acceptance of Israel's fast-paced, often chaotic environment can help you adapt more smoothly. 

International students on a field trip

Tamar is keen to encourage everyone to explore Israel beyond Tel Aviv, recommending places like the Israeli Valley, Beit Govrin, Lachish, and the Dead Sea for those seeking a deeper connection with the country’s rich landscapes. 

For an authentic Israeli culinary experience, Tamar suggests trying local foods, especially the iconic Israeli breakfast, which she describes as "the most quintessential part of Israeli cuisine, filled with fresh vegetables, spreads, and cheeses."

Usu Baraka: Community Leader for Graduate Students

Originally from Darfur, Usu’s journey to Israel has been one of resilience and perseverance. After arriving as a minor and completing high school in Israel, Usu pursued a BA in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy and an MA in Public Policy. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a love for learning (he speaks eight languages!), Usu is dedicated to helping graduate students feel at home in Israel.

“I love interacting with people, hearing their stories, and building communities from the ground up.” 

He is passionate about creating social opportunities that mix academic life with cultural experiences. From tours of South Tel Aviv to trips to the Dead Sea, Usu’s focus is on exposing students to the rich diversity of Israel while building meaningful friendships.

Another aspect Usu is going to actively work on is integrating international students with their Israeli peers and building bridges across cultural lines. 

“I want to create opportunities for students to connect with each other, learn from each other, and form lasting bonds.”

Whether through cultural exchanges or casual meetups at the local market, Usu is always seeking new ways to enrich the student experience. “In Israel, you have to try falafel,” he recommends, adding that knafeh from Jaffa is also a must: “It’s amazing, perfect, and delicious.” For those interested in something more unique, he suggests trying injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread popular in Israel.

At the Levinsky market

Usu’s favorite spots in Tel Aviv for hanging out and meeting new people are the Abraham Hostels, which have "a bar where you can enjoy live performances”, and Teder.fm, a venue that’s “open 24/7 and always full of people and events.” Be sure to check them out after classes!

As you prepare for your flight to Tel Aviv, Usu has one important tip to share: if you’ve never been to Israel before, take some time to learn a bit about the country and pick up a few Hebrew words.

"Shalom" [Hello] is known to open the hearts of Israelis in an instant!

Whether you’re exploring Tel Aviv’s streets, learning about Israeli culture, or simply needing a supportive ear, our community leaders are here to ensure you feel welcome, supported, and ready to move forward.