The Ulpan

Ulpan

From Maagan Michael - מעגן מיכאל

Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael has had two ulpans a year since 1958 and today, over 25% of the members of  Ma'agan Michael are graduates. The ulpan is a central part of the identity of Ma'agan Michael. Ma'agan Michael is a successful kibbutz and the ulpan is a part of that success. We have two ulpans a year of five months each - February 1 through July 1 and August 1 through January 1. Each ulpan has space for 95 participants. You must be between 18 and 28 when the ulpan begins and you must be jewish according to the Israeli Law of Return (eligible to make Aliyah). No matter what your life experience was before the ulpan, you will be expected to behave as mature adult during the ulpan. You will have the freedom to make decisions that you may not have had before you join the program. Use your freedom wisely. You will take responsibility for your own actions.

In a nutshell:

The entrance to the Ulpan office in Maagan Michael.

• On our ulpan, we work half a day and study half a day. We take both our studies and work very seriously.

• Our study/work week is five and a half days - Sundays through Thursdays are full days and Fridays are half days. Each week we switch - if you study mornings this week, next week you will study afternoons.

• The ulpan lasts five full months.

• The program is challenging and not for everyone. However, if you are serious about studying, working and having a unique Israel experience, the ulpan at Ma'agan Michael could well be for you.

• The key to success on our ulpan is to keep work, study and play in balance.

• Successful completion of the ulpan is a positive, life changing experience which you will take with you, whatever else you do in your life.
• We usually have ulpanists from over twenty countries. You will really come to understand the meaning of "Am Achad" (one nation).
• Stanley Fisher, originally from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, today the Governor og the Bank of Israel (the Israeli equivalent of Chairman of the American Federal Reserve), is a graduate of our ulpan.

 Hebrew studies

When you arrive for the ulpan, the teachers will give you a Hebrew exam - written and oral. Based upon that exam, they will decide which class you will be in. We have four levels - alef, bet, gimmel and dalet. Many students, who come to the ulpan with even no Hebrew and learn in kita alef, finish the ulpan being able to hold reasonable conversations, understanding most of the news on the television and being able to read a newspaper. Some of our ulpanists are children of Israelis and their spoken Hebrew is quite good. Their goal is to improve their reading and writing, which they do. Some of our ulpanists come from a back round of strong Jewish education and arrive with reasonable Hebrew, which improves greatly during the ulpan. You will study four hours a day and there is a possibility for extra lessons. At the end of the ulpan, there is an exam by the Ministry of Education. We usually have the highest rate of ulpanists taking the exam and usually we (you) get the best results.We take our studies very seriously. You will be expected to attend all classes, arrive on time and prepare homework.

 Work

You will work approximately four hours a day. You will work along side Kibbutzniks and interact with them. Most of the work is not particularly exciting, but as you will be here for only five months and probably aren't fluent in Hebrew yet, it is difficult to have you do professional jobs. Stanley Fisher worked in the kibbutz laundry! We take work (and studies) very seriously and you too will be expected to take them seriously. Most of the work is in our factory (Plasson), the dining room, gardening and fish farming.

Ulpan students in Maagan Michael on their way to the afternoon classes

We try to match the kibbutz needs with what you want. We are not always able to give you what you want and the kibbutz needs come first. If you have a trade or profession, such as electrician, plumber, or mechanic, let us know when you arrive.
Rooms
Most ulpanists live three to a room. We do have limited facilities for couples – you must arrange this in advance. The rooms are very basic. The rooms have a small kitchenette - with refrigerator, shower, toilets and air conditioning. We will provide you with sheets, pillows and blankets. In addition we will give you basic cleaning materials as well as soap and toothpaste.

What to bring with you

The most important thing to bring with you is a good attitude! The program is not easy. You will experience ups and downs during the ulpan. We (the staff) are here to help you and to make sure the program runs smoothly. You must have good strong walking shoes for the tiulim (trips). A good hat is also necessary. You will be here for five months - it will be both hot and cold when you are here, so bring clothes that will be suitable for both. Dress on the kibbutz is extremely informal. Ma'agan Michael is a great area to run, swim, walk and bicycle. Bring appropriate clothes. Don't bring too much as there is very limited closet space in the rooms. There is a clothing store on the kibbutz with reasonable prices, if you need something. You should bring your personal toiletries and any other personal material you may need. If you take special medication, bring what you need and please make sure we are aware of this. You can bring a laptop and other electronic equipment (Israel has a 220 electric system) such as camera, etc., if you want - but keep in mind security.

Within the compounds of the the Kibbutz you will find a multitude of interesting places as for example the beautiful cactus garden

Moadon

The ulpan has its own moadon, just for ulpanists (you can also use the kibbutz moadon, which is essentially a coffee house). In your moadon there are several computers and hook ups for laptops for your use.

Valuables

There is a safe in the ulpan office where you can store small valuables. You can also store your documents, etc., in an envelope in the safe. The kibbutz is in no way responsible if something is stolen from your room. The kibbutz is like everywhere else in the world today – it is rare, but thefts do happen. Keep your door locked when you are not in the room and put your valuables in the safe. It is strongly suggested you have insurance on your valuables and that you fully understand the insurance policy – its benefits and limitations.

Internet

In the ulpan moadon there are several computers which are connected to the internet. The moadon is usually open for your use after class and work. In addition, there are several internet connections for laptops. The kibbutz moadon which is usually open in the evenings has computers and "wireless" internet. We also have a wireless system in the ulpan which reaches most, but not all of the rooms.

Laundry

Your laundry will be done in the kibbutz laundry. You will mark all of your clothes with a number and it will be returned to your personal laundry box in the ulpan office.

Health

Every participant on the ulpan must have health insurance through kupat holim klalit (an Israeli HMO). For olim this is paid by the Ministry of Absorption. For those of you who come through MASA, they pay this for you. We have an excellent clinic on the kibbutz and convenient referral to either the regional clinic or hospital if necessary. The insurance does not include dental care and you will not have access to the dental clinic on the kibbutz. If you do experience a dental situation, there are several private clinics in the area. You will need to have a medical exam prior to coming to the ulpan and written certification by a medical doctor that you are capable of participating in the ulpan, including physical labor and fairly strenuous hiking. Please bring the medical certificate with you and give it to us when you arrive. If you have a special medical condition or needs, make sure you note this on your application with the Jewish Agency or MASA and make sure we know about it so as to avoid misunderstandings.

How to get to Ma'agan Michael

• We are located 65 kilometers north of Tel Aviv and 35 kilometers south of Haifa, on the Mediterranean coast.
• From the airport, the Ministry of Absorption usually provides transportation for Olim in a shared taxi to the kibbutz when you first arrive.
• If you are not an Oleh, and you want to come by taxi to the kibbutz, it should cost less than 400 NIS. Do not hesitate to bargain with the driver before you get in the taxi (welcome to the Middle East).

On the road to Maagan Michael (from Haifa)

• The train service to and from the airport is excellent. The train costs about 35 NIS. To get to Ma'agan Michael, take the train to Binyamina and from Binyamina (about 10 kilometers from the kibbutz) take a taxi (approximately 50 NIS).
• To arrive by bus, the # 921 bus from either Haifa or Tel Aviv, will take you to the entrance road of the kibbutz.
• By car, the entrance to Ma'agan Michael is off highway 4, the old Tel Aviv - Haifa road. Note - highway 2 runs through the kibbutz fields, but there is no exit for Ma'agan Michael.
  • If you come on highway 2 from Tel Aviv, you should exit highway 2 at Caesaria (opposite the Rabin power station) and turn north on highway 4 to the entrance of Ma'agan Michael.
  • If you are coming from Haifa, exit highway 2 at Faradis - Zichron Ya'akov and travel south on highway 4 to the entrance of Ma'agan Michael.
• Once you enter the kibbutz, follow the signs to the main parking lot.

The fish ponds around the Kibbutz

How to apply for the ulpan

You must apply for the ulpan through the Jewish Agency or Nefesh b'Nefesh if you are a new immigrant (Oleh Hadash) and through the Masa program if you are not an Oleh Hadash (contact Gili at info@kibbutzulpan.org) Our ulpan fills up many months in advance, so you must apply very early. If you do not know how to contact the Jewish Agency in your area, check the web site homepage (www.jewishagency.org, then go to "information center" and then to "Aliyah Representatives Abroad"). The Jewish Agency representative should be able to help you with Masa also. If you are not an Oleh Hadash, you could contact Masa at the following addresses: ulpankibbutz@gmail.com or info@kibbutzulpan.org

Starting dates and your arrival

We have two ulpans a year of five months each. The starting dates are February 1 and August 1. It is best if you arrive a day or two before the starting date so as to get settled in, receive your room, class and work assignment and get to meet your new friends. If you have not arrived by the starting date (February 1 or August 1) and you have not made arrangements directly with us at the ulpan (don't rely on someone else to tell us), we will assume that you have decided not to come and we will probably give your place to someone on our waiting list. Our ulpan is always oversubscribed and we have many people on our waiting list. You should not expect to arrive late, without prior arrangements with us and expect you will have a place on the ulpan.

Trips

One of the many gardens in the Kibbutz

During the ulpan, we take several major trips and depending on conditions, we try to do several others. We take a trip to the Golan where we do extensive hiking through canyons, exploring the topography and learning first hand about the sources of water in Israel. We take a trip to Jerusalem where expert guides show us and explain to us the beauty and significance of Jerusalem. We usually take a two day trip to the Negev where we hike canyons and experience the incredible beauty of the Negev. In addition, if we can, we tour the "Green Line" and see the security barrier close up and study its significance. We give you the facts, you form your opinions. We usually walk to Caesaria from Ma'agan Michael, along the beach, ending with a guided tour of the antiquities. There are many other tiulim we can do, depending on conditions.

Food

You will eat in the dining room together with the members of the kibbutz. As we are a secular kibbutz, our dining room is not kosher. The quality of the food is usually quite high, with a wide variety of food available, including vegetarian. You will be given a budget to spend on food - the same budget a member of the kibbutz receives. Most ulpanists spend less than their budget for food. The dining room is open for three meals a day, except the Saturday evening meal.

Mail

Mail can be sent to you at the address as follows:

Your Name
Ulpan
Kibbutz Maagan Michael
37805
Israel

Many things that you would not think of are charged customs in Israel. You should check this with the authorities before sending packages.

Costs and money matters

Ulpanists with a tourist visa must pay the Masa program approximately $4,500 for the ulpan. Read the information on their web site! As noted above, contact Masa as they have excellent scholarship opportunities. Olim must pay 1,300 NIS to the Jewish Agency. If you are an Oleh Hadash and have not paid the Jewish Agency prior to arriving on the kibbutz, you must pay through the post office on a form we will give you, and bring us the receipt. When you register with the Jewish Agency or Masa, they may charge a registration fee.

We require a $100 deposit which will be returned at the end of the five month ulpan on the condition that:

• you complete the entire ulpan
• you did not cause any damage
• you have left your room and the area around it clean

All amounts noted above, of course can be paid to us in Israeli currency. The amount of spending money you may need during the ulpan is an individual matter. Basically, living on the kibbutz is free, so what you may need for other things really depends on you. Olim receive an amount from the Ministry of Absorption. If you plan wisely, you can save this money for use after the ulpan. There are several banks in the area where you can change money. There is a cash point (Kespomat in Hebrew) on the kibbutz where you can use your credit card to withdraw money.

Free time

The famous pub in Maagan Michael. Sometime we host live concerts here. It's difficult not to have a good time.

It is very difficult not to have a good time on our ulpan. We usually have over 95 participants from over 20 different countries. The majority of ulpanists are in their late teens or early 20's. Aside from the activities you will do on your own, such as traveling to nearby towns and weekend visits, we have many things to do on the kibbutz. Almost every cultural and social activity open to kibbutz members, is open to ulpanists. If you want, we have a movie once a week, just for the ulpan, billiards once a week, tennis, basketball, football (soccer), sailing, from after Pessach through Succot the swimming pool and beach. The kibbutz has a pub which is open on weekends. During Pessach and Succot you may have some free time. There are many festivals and activities you can go to. It is an excellent time to explore Israel. You will have four discretionary days for whatever you want. Plan wisely. Our suggestion is that you don't use them at the beginning, as something always pops up later (such as a surprise visit from family) and you may not have any more days. The work/study week ends usually before noon on Fridays and you are free to travel throughout the country. Because of our location, it is convenient to travel almost anywhere over the weekend by bus or train. The kibbutz provides a free, limited shuttle service to and from the train station in Binyamina. We will give you the details when you arrive.

Mobile phones

Most ulpanists either come with or purchase or rent mobile phones while they are here. Please make sure your numbers are listed with the ulpan staff and also make sure your families have your number. This is important for convenience as well as security. There are several shopping centers in the area where you can get phones and top up cards, etc.

After the ulpan

Tourists: If you are not planning to return home immediately after the ulpan many activities are available for you while you hold a tourist visa. Here are a few examples:

• Marvah, a two month taste of army life
• Magen David Adom - you will be trained as a paramedic and will actually accompany ambulances and be part of the team
• Internships - you will work in a job as an intern

We will invite people from the Jewish Agency in Israel to talk with you about these programs during the ulpan. If you can, make the arrangements before coming to the ulpan through the Jewish Agency in your area, it will be advantageous. You may want to explore the possibility of studying in Israel. If your Hebrew is not good enough to study in Hebrew, there are several excellent programs to study in English.
Olim: As an oleh, you have many rights, as well as obligations. You should have a serious conversation with your Jewish Agency representative and or the representative of an organization such as the AACI or Nefesh b' Nefesh. Make sure you are clear as to your rights and obligations. We will arrange meetings with the Jewish Agency as well as the Ministry of Absorption while you are on the ulpan. We will also arrange meetings with the Student Authority to help you sort out the possibilities of studying. In addition, we will invite speakers to help you organize your army service.

 General behavior

The Ulpan is a intensive language course with experienced, multilingual teachers. Still, a lot depends on your commitment

Our ulpan has about 95 participants, twice a year. You will have contact with members of the kibbutz at work and at cultural events. You will mix with our kids at the pub, pool, beach and sporting events. Some of you will establish relationships (recently there were four weddings between ulpan graduates and our kids - and two of those kids are kids of ulpan graduates!). The best rule of thumb regarding behavior while on the ulpan is to ask yourself if the behavior you are contemplating would be acceptable in your home. If you think in these terms, you will usually be ok. For example, if you are thinking of going to the dining room with a wet bathing suit…!!?? (don't do it!!!). Violence is totally unacceptable and there is zero tolerance regarding drugs of any sort, including marijuana. Use the freedoms you have wisely. No one is going to tell you who to associate with, what time to go to sleep, etc. However we will certainly tell you that you have to get up and go to class and work on time. We have a very low tolerance level for those who will not follow the basic rules. It is very unpleasant for us to have to ask someone to leave the ulpan. We don't do it very often, but it does happen. Our rules are geared to help those who are serious about their ulpan experience. Our goal is to make that experience as positive, fulfilling and rewarding for you as possible.

Summary

Ma'agan Michael is a great place and your ulpan experience will be a positive, life changing experience. You will make friends from all over the world. You will see Israel up close and in detail. You will become an expert on Israel. If you return home after the ulpan, you will become an ambassador and advocate for Israel. Many of you will assume leadership roles in your communities. You may have left home a child, but you will return an adult. You will be invited to participate in discussions about Israel and your opinions will be respected. You will learn Hebrew. If you are an oleh, your ulpan at Ma'agan Michael will be a great first step in becoming an Israeli. In short, you will become part of us and we will become part of you.