A highlight of the OSP is the outstanding menu of trips, tours, and hikes organized specifically for program participants. Whether as part of your coursework or “just for fun” it is our priority to expose you to Israel’s landscape – particularly the Negev region – and its cultures.

In any given semester, your group will travel to a variety of sites throughout Israel. Trips are usually held either on Fridays (one-day trips) or Friday-Saturday. All food provided on trips is kosher and there is no driving on Saturdays in consideration of students who observe the Jewish Sabbath.

Orientation Weekend Trip

All OSP participants partake in an orientation weekend that provides important logistical information about what to expect from your time in Israel while highlighting and exposing you to the beauty of Southern Israel. This trip is included in your tuition fees. Past orientation weekends have included:

  • Ein Gedi and the the Dead Sea – short hikes to see and swim in natural waterfalls; swimming in the Dead Sea
  • Mitze Ramon and the Ramon Crater – short hiking along the Crater
  • Sede Boqer – visit to David Ben-Gurion’s grave to learn about Israel’s first prime minister; jeep tour of the Ramon Crater to learn about the Negev environment

Sample OSP Group Excursions:

  • Sede Boqer – home of David Ben-Gurion’s grave
  • Masada, Ein Bokek, Ein Gedi
  • Dead Sea – take a swim in the world’s lowest point
  • Nahal Havarim – moonlight hike
  • Tel Sheva – archeological site and desert farms
  • Beit Guvrin – ropes, rock and cave climbing
  • Nitzana – bicycle trip
  • Ilan Ramon Center – BGU’s planetarium
  • Old Tel Aviv
  • Old Beer-Sheva
  • Hatzerim – air force base
  • Kibbutz Keturah – kibbutz experience and desert ecology program
  • Northern Israel – hiking and swimming in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)
  • Haifa/Carmel Region – Zichron Yaakov, Druze village
  • Fura Reserve – to see annual wildflowers in bloom
  • Machtesh Gadol and Machtesh Katan (Craters) – hiking
  • Eilat – Israel’s port city along the Red Sea; snorkeling available

*Please note that not all sites are visited every semester; destinations are subject to change.

  • Not all academic courses include study trips.
  • Some extended trips are optional and, while planned by the OSP staff in Israel, require funding from participants.
  • The OSP office in Israel will advise students of trip opportunities and registration procedures.
  • OSP staff members are happy to offer advice and ideas for students to travel and explore Israel and the Negev region on their own.