First Week at Haifa University

Shalom from the University of Haifa!
I have been having a really busy week, but am really enjoying my time in Israel so far. After a tiring and hectic move-in on Sunday, I went on an organized tour around campus that also took us into the city of Haifa. We found a few good places for lunch and ice cream, and experienced the only underground subway in the country (!) which literally goes down the side of Mount Carmel, and felt more like a roller coaster than a train. We shopped around another shuk in the center of Haifa, where we began the rigorous task of food shopping for our apartments.
On Monday morning we took a Hebrew exam in order to place us in the appropriate levels of Hebrew study for the rest of the Ulpan. I ended up placing in the third level (out of six) which was a delightful surprise since I haven’t spoken a word of Hebrew since 10th grade at Prozdor. So far, I am enjoying the class, realizing that Hebrew immersion is the only way to truly absorb the language, which will make it increasingly easier to live within the Hebrew-speaking world.
On Tuesday, the International students were given the opportunity to visit the Ghetto Fighters Museum, which illustrates the struggle of those who survived the Holocaust. The museum was beautiful and very informative, and, unlike most other exhibits on the topic, gave a message of hope for survival through such tragedies.
Meanwhile, I have been meeting a lot of great people from around the country, and we’ve been shopping and touring and cooking together. Luckily, all the students are really friendly and it has been great getting to know everyone.
Besides food shopping, my friends and I have had some other opportunities to go into Haifa for dinner, both in a large group of students as well as just a few of us. Mercaz HaCarmel is the center of Haifa, and is really easy to navigate. There are a lot of cute shops and eateries, which makes going into the city very fun and exciting.
Clearly, this is a very abbreviated version of my week, but there will soon be pictures of all the adventures I plan to have… hope all is well back home!

Lots of love,
Elyse