Discover the real Israel with DIS
Dig beneath the surface of remarkable Israel with DIS on an exceptional week-long, faculty-led study tour.
Ian Terkildsen, DIS Study Tour Coordinator, points the way
August 9, 2010
The optional study tour to Israel is an exceptional opportunity for you to gain a unique insider’s view into contemporary Israeli society and politics. Among the many activities, you will get the chance to stay in a ‘kibbutz’ – a communal settlement unique to Israel – on the famous Sea of Galilee, and to visit a host of important historical sites, including the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the holiest shrine of the Jewish world, built in 20 B.C. by King Herod, and the Temple Mount.
What makes this trip a stand-out experience is the knowledge and experience of tour leader, Thorsten Wagner, an educator at the Jewish Museum Berlin, former employee at the Danish Center for the Holocaust and holder of a Magister Artium in Modern History, German Literature. Thorsten has vast experience in leading tours in this region and will offer unique insights into Israeli society on walking tours of Tel Aviv’s varied neighborhoods and visits to historically significant sites. Through his network of contacts, Thorsten can ‘open up’ contemporary Israel in a meaningful manner, allowing students to dig beneath the surface of this intriguing and critically important nation through discussions and debates with local students and scholars.
Ian Terkildsen, DIS Study Tour Coordinator, will also lead the trip to Israel, so we decided to ask him a few questions…
Q: What is the focus of this tour?
Ian: This study tour combines history, cultural studies, literature, and contemporary politics to shed new light on a region undergoing dramatic change. It is the culmination of the one credit course: Israel: The Challenge of Contested Territory.
Q: What would we be doing?
Ian: We will stay three nights in Jerusalem, spend one night close to the sea of Galilee in a kibbutz and have the final two nights in Tel Aviv. Your days will be packed with various activities including discussions with local students and scholars, visits to the major sites of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and believed grave of Jesus, as well as tours through trendy Tel Aviv’ neighborhoods. See more details here.
Q: Why should I go with DIS?
Ian: You will be traveling with your instructor Thorsten Wagner who has extensive knowledge of Israeli history and is experienced in leading study tours in this region. With his knowledge at your disposal, you will better understand this complex region and challenge your own perspectives. You will come to truly comprehend the current challenges and developments that have shaped Israel and its complex relations with the world. Plus it is a great value; DIS subsidizes optional tours by approximately $500.
Q: What about safety issues?
Ian: Travelling anywhere has an element of risk but DIS has taken the necessary safety precautions. We work with partners in Israel that have extensive experience with American tours. Students will be accompanied both by DIS faculty and staff, as well as a local tour leader who is trained in safety procedures. See more details in our Safety Statement.