Core Program
We offer long-term gap year programs in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Our students live in fully furnished apartments, explore their passion through interning or volunteering, take fascinating courses for college credit, interact with Israelis, learn Hebrew and more…
International Add-Ons
Students have the option to participate in our core program while also traveling to different countries around the world. Visit the main tourist sites and experience the local culture while learning about the country’s Jewish narrative and its relationship to Israel. Learn more…
Special Interest Add-Ons
We offer add-on options to further enhance students’ experience, such as Aardvark Extreme, Sea Sports, Entrepreneurship, Marva (Israeli army program), Magen David Adom (volunteer on an ambulance) and more.
Additional Information
Everything else you want to know, including weekly schedules, FAQ’s and much more.
Hear from the parents and former participants
Hear from the parents and former participants:
Thank you. For having such a terrific program for Yoni. He choose Aardvark over so many other options because of the word on the street and the reputation. We did our due diligence and meeting you sealed the deal. He wrote us the type of text that expressed profound gratitude to us for “the trip of a lifetime. It hasn’t even really begun yet and I’m having so much fun. I just wanted to let you know that I am very thankful that you sent me to my home to grow up.” So hard for us that we won’t be giving him his Shabbat blessing… but we know he is blessed many times over with his new Aardvark family. Shabbat shalom,
-Rabbi Elissa Ben-Naim, mother of Yoni Ben-Naim, LA, CA, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
-Jesse Lyn Stoner, mother of Ari Stoner, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
While I have missed him so much, it has been of great consolation to know that he has been having such a wonderful time. Every time I have spoken to him he has sounded so happy and I know he will take home with him a life-time of happy memories. Thank you to you and all your staff for making it all happen for him.
– Diana Bronson, mother of Spencer Bronson, London, UK
Hear from the parents and former participants:
It is not only so wonderful to have her back home, but to hear about all her amazing experiences and to see how she’s grown. Our children (especially in South Africa), are very ‘protected’. Due to circumstances they do not have the freedom that other children or teenagers enjoy. This was the first thing she loved about Israel. Being able to catch a bus from Tel Aviv back to Jerusalem at night and to walk freely in the streets. The experience of living independently in a different country with peers from different countries was an amazing opportunity, but all of this would not have been the same without your care and guidance. Thank you so much for making sure that while Jess was growing, learning and experiencing – she was happy!!
Laura Kallenbach, mother of Jessica Kallenbach, Johannesburg, South Africa
Hear from the parents and former participants:
We all thought that the bar mitzvah was the transition to manhood. In our case it was James’ gap year in Aardvark! Thank you to all of you. It was a great program!
Henry Sopher, father of James Sopher, West Orange, NJ, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
– Ethan Rosenfeld, Cleveland, OH, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
– Eliot Silverman, West Newton, MA, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
– Alex Moliver, Newtown, CT, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
– Hana Abargel, mother of Doreen Abargel, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
As the year “For Rachel” is winding down, I want to take a brief opportunity to thank you and your entire staff for the incredible year my daughter had. It was a tremendous growing experience for her; she learned more about herself, learned more about getting along with others and most importantly, got a larger understanding and became more “in touch” with her Jewish Identity. My heart is full for her as she is so so sad to leave and move on, but seeing Israel the way she did and doing the international travel like she did gave her a thirst for travel and discovering new things – which ALL people need I think!
– Evalyn Cohn, mother of Rachel Cohn, MD, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
– Steven Fisher, father of Oscar Fisher, Monsey, NY, USA
Hear from the parents and former participants:
– Bari Bogart, mother of Andrew Bogart, Beverly Hills, CA, USA
