Important Updates in Light of the Security Situation

Please keep up-to-date on our latest safety and security information on our website.

Most Lowy's international programs have already started with remote or hybrid learning to accommodate our students who are not in Israel at the moment. Program managers will be updating the students regarding the exam dates.

At the same time, classes in programs following the Israeli academic calendar are currently set to begin no earlier than December 24, 2023. All the universities have decided to push back the start of the academic year because many of Israeli students and faculty have been called up for reserve duty in these challenging times of war.

Semester dates and exam periods for programs following the Israeli academic calendar have been adjusted accordingly:

First Semester (11 weeks of studies): December 24, 2023, to March 8, 2024.
First Semester Exam Period (7 weeks): March 10, 2024, to May 8, 2024.
Second Semester (11 weeks): May 9, 2024, to July 31, 2024.
Second Semester Exam Period / Summer Semester: August 1, 2024, and onwards.
Opening of Academic Year 2024-2025: November 3, 2024.

Program managers will most certainly keep all the students updated about the exact date, with a two-week advance notice.

November 16, 2023

Message from Prof Millet Shamir, Vice President International, Tel Aviv University

It is now day 41 of the Israel-Hamas war. There is a prevailing feeling among us at Tel Aviv University (TAU) that, by continuing our work and doing it well, we are in our own way standing up to terror. This strength, this resilience, is seen across the University.

I have heard countless stories of researchers doing everything they can to keep their labs running, amid coworkers who are either abroad, tending to their families, volunteering, or in the reserves. We continue to apply for grants and funding, and we very much appreciate the extensions that have been granted, like from Horizon Europe.

We continue to celebrate new research findings and new academic books by our colleagues.

We recognize, too, that we are indeed not alone in this. We have received offers from colleagues abroad who volunteered to teach in place of faculty members who are serving in the reserves. Some of our international partners offered to increase funding for collaborative research programs and joint projects.

At TAU, across our faculties and departments, we are sowing the seeds for a brighter future. Our focus extends beyond mere survival. This moment is about fostering recovery and growth and emerging stronger than before.

Lowy International Bulletin #7

November 9, 2023

University President Calls for Immediate Release of Hostages

University President Ariel Porat has called for an immediate release of hostages from Gaza:

"Irrespective of one’s opinion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the world cannot remain silent in the face of pure evil. This is not, by any means, 'legitimate resistance.' This is a clear crime against humanity and one that we must condemn and fight.

We ask that you don’t stay silent. Demand their immediate release.

Speak for the hostages, since they are deprived of the right to speak to the world. Be their voice. Now."

Lowy International Bulletin #6

November 7, 2023

Memorial Ceremony on Campus

Tel Aviv University's community commemorated 30 days since the brutal attacks on Israeli citizens on Oct. 7th. Over 50 TAU families were directly affected by the attacks.

"We've been raised on the values of sanctity of life. What we learned is that there are things more horrendous than murder," said President Porat at the ceremony.

Also, on November 7, International students participated in a first-aid training session in English led by Magen David Adom instructors on TAU campus.

November 2, 2023

Message from Prof Millet Shamir, Vice President International, Tel Aviv University:

"Currently, more than 15% of our student population is Arab-Israeli; we have made it a priority to ensure these students feel safe coming to the University. We instated a zero-tolerance policy toward incitement and hate speech on our campus, regardless of whether these are directed at Jews or Arabs.

As with all of our students, we have been offering our Arab-Israeli students a variety of mental health and academic supports, paying particular attention to their unique circumstances. Led by Prof. Neta Ziv, Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Community, TAU has been holding regular group and individual meetings with minority students to better understand and address their concerns.

In these challenging times, we must do all we can to support all members of our academic community, especially those who may be feeling vulnerable. We are facing manifold difficulties and tragedies; however, those with agency have a responsibility to fight hate. By embracing diversity and actively addressing its challenges, we will emerge a stronger, more supportive community when peace is finally restored."

Lowy International Bulletin #5

The Lowy International Student Task Force has released an open letter calling on students worldwide to unequivocally condemn terrorism

October 31, 2023

Members of the Lowy International School community have joined the Israeli-wide volunteer effort to help farmers in the south. Read the full story here

October 24, 2023

Lowy International Bulletin #4

Video of the UNITED AGAINST TERRORISM exhibit at the Smolarz auditorium

October 22, 2023

We wish to maintain communication with our international students during these challenging times.

This form is designed by the Student Life team to gather information about your current circumstances allowing us to offer support, guidance and student life activities.

International students are kindly asked to provide the information as of October 22.

For those students who decide to travel home for the time being, kindly inform us via email madrichimosp@mail.tau.ac.il

In the face of terror, one of the most important things we can do is continue with a semblance of normalcy; by continuing on with what we set out to do, we are sending the message to Hamas that we are strong and will prevail. Here, at Tel Aviv University, we are committed to providing students with an excellent education.

With that in mind, and after careful deliberation, we made the decision to begin the term for the majority of international degree programs on October 22. Studies will begin in a hybrid format so that students can study remotely. Hebrew programs are now scheduled to begin on November 5.

The later date for the wider TAU community is because many Israeli TAU students are currently in the army reserves (milium).

We would not be beginning the term if we felt it was unsafe. We want to highlight, moreover, that all of our international programs will be extra sensitive to student needs at this time, and we suggest students contact program coordinators about any concerns.

October 19, 2023

Student Initiatives at Lowy International

Our international students at TAU have set up a new task force aimed at countering disinformation and antisemitism, and are now meeting daily on Zoom to strategize how they can share the story of what they're encountering on-the-ground in Israel.

You can learn more about the task force's story here. Are you on campus and want to join? Contact the Student Life Team at 052-5346188.

On campus, international students are joining the university-wide aid efforts, offering their dorm apartments to families from the south of the country and organizing charity drives to collect food and donations for civilians in need.

Read more about the international student involvement in charity work here.

Meanwhile, Smolarz Hall at Tel Aviv University is hosting a poignant exhibition featuring over a thousand photos of missing people, abductees, and victims of the Iron Swords war. The Tel Aviv University Student Union is proud to collaborate on this project alongside esteemed universities like Harvard, Yale, MIT, NYU, Michigan University, Columbia University, and more. Our deepest wish is that every chair in this hall were filled by the people in these pictures.

The exhibition UNITED AGAINST TERRORISM will be open for the whole of next week.

Opening hours for October 22: 8AM - 2PM

Lowy International Bulletin #3

October 12, 2023

Flexible Start of the Academic Year

Tel Aviv University has currently postponed the academic term's start date to November 5th. For all our international programs, each program head has tailored its start date to meet our students' needs, and have informed all students about their specific starting dates. In addition, hybrid options are offered to prioritize safety and provide a flexible learning environment.

For study abroad programs, the start date is October 16.

Most international degree programs will commence the week of October 22, 2023. However, some will start on November 5, aligning with the rest of TAU's programs.

For further updates, please reach out to your program coordinators.

Read the message from the University President Ariel Porat here

Lowy International Bulletin #2

October 10, 2023

Please feel free to opt-in to the Lowy International School Bulletin with regular updates regarding safety, wellbeing sessions, protocol and scheduling here.

Your solidarity means so much to us, and we value your friendship and continued commitment. Thank you again for the many kind words and patience during this time.

Read the full statement by Professor Milette Shamir, Vice President International of Tel Aviv University, here

Lowy International Bulletin #1

October 9, 2023

Emotional Support Hotline Available to University Community

Dear Students,

In these trying times, our hearts go out to the residents of the southern regions of Israel, the IDF soldiers, and the emergency response teams.

In light of the current situation in Israel, we regret to inform you that the start of the academic year will be postponed to October 22 instead of October 15 as originally planned.

The orientation week originally planned for this week has been canceled. We will follow the events and if possible we will have limited activities in the future.

We would like to assure you that your safety and academic success are a top priority for TAU and for the Lowy International school. We are here to support you as you begin your journey with us. Even though your school year has not yet started, we consider you a part of the Tel Aviv University community. We have established a hotline run by the campus psychological services, available in Hebrew and English.

If you would like to access these services, please download and complete this form and email it to clinic@tauex.tau.ac.il prior to the initial intake. Alternatively, you can leave a short WhatsApp message with your name and number at this WhatsApp number +972-50-2787037, a psychotherapist will contact you as soon as possible.

Should anyone in our international student community need further guidance, please email: hstlife@tauex.tau.ac.il or call our 24/7 mobile number 052-5346188.

We are thinking of all of you and ask you to be careful to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, and above all to take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

We hope for calmer times ahead and for all of us to resume our daily routines, including studying, conducting research, and meeting one another.

Sincerely,
Tel Aviv University

October 7, 2023

Sirens have gone off in Tel Aviv, along with other locations in Israel, alerting us to an incoming missile attack. These sirens are part of the “Iron Dome” system which alerts and protects us in Israel at any given time.

All international students have been given instructions on how to proceed. We are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to be in contact with our international community.

Should anyone in our international student community have a question, our 24/7 on call Student Life Team can be reached at 052-5346188.

We encourage you to check this site for additional updates.