Student Life at Lowy International: Caring and Unity

With Israel nearly two weeks into the recent war with Hamas, the start of the academic year has been postponed at universities around Israel. However, our community at Tel Aviv University is far from staying idle. We’ve rounded up a number of feel good stories that are keeping our students and the Lowy International School team busy.  

Lowy Student Life Team Offers 24/7 Support

In addition to welcoming and integrating our 2023-24 international student cohort, our dedicated Student Life team is available around the clock to extend a helping hand and guide international students during this difficult period.

“There are a lot of activities organized by students themselves but also by student life teams – they are constantly in touch with us through authorized WhatsApp groups and mails, checking upon us and welcoming us to visit them at the university if we need anything or just to talk over a coffee and get clarity of the situation. They have been helpful and nice,” comments Dhanashree Mundhe, a PostDoc from India.

The Lowy International Student Life team's mission goes beyond practical assistance; they're dedicated to forging connections. Casual meet-ups in the dorms and Friday dinners are just some of the initiatives aimed at ensuring our students feel connected and at home.

Opening Doors to Israeli Families

But that's not all. In a truly neighborly move, the University has opened up some empty apartments in the dorms to 12 families of TAU Israeli students from the south of the country. It's our way of providing a secure place for them to stay during these uncertain times.

International Students Join the Drive

Indian students enrolled at TAU have actively joined a charity effort, reaching out to the Broshim dorms management about multiple apartments that are now vacant as many students left for their home countries and offering to host the families in need of a temporary house. 

"Me and some friends are also willing to pay a sum for their monthly grocery expenses or whatever they would need to settle down for a while,"  adds Dhanashree Mundhe, who came up with the idea.

In a touching display of unity, students at Tel Aviv University have also organized a charity drive. An outpouring of support was witnessed as students came together to contribute substantial amounts of cooked food. 

Volunteers packing supplies for Operation Manna. Credit: Operation Manna

On top of that, three American exchange students from the University of Texas have started an NGO, Operation Manna, to raise money and purchase food, toiletries and other supplies for civilians under fire in the southern conflict zones

Oceane Maher, one of the founders, commented in an interview for KVUE News (Austin, Texas): ‘We are doing what we can here and I just wish I can do more. I can’t walk away from this – we’ve got our initiative going and it’s working well so far. I feel compelled to stay here and make a difference.’

As our students from diverse backgrounds join hands in these trying times, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a comfortable start to the academic year. We prioritize safety and, recognizing the global nature of our community, have taken steps to ensure that remote classes accommodate students currently away from campus. Your well-being and success are our foremost concerns.