gap year in israel
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

FALL SEMESTER | 8 WEEKS

Marva

If you’ve ever wondered… How would it feel to wear the uniform of the Israel Defense Forces? What do Israelis go through when they enlist? Could I really do it? Then Marva might be for you.

Experience the Israeli Army as a Soldier

The Marva track is an army simulation program that gives you the opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the Israeli military from within. Live together with Israelis and other participants from around the world on an army base for two months. Meet with soldiers, wear an Israeli army uniform, carry a gun, and learn survival skills, field training, self-defense, topography, navigation, and more.
Through hiking the land, living in field conditions and going through lessons and lectures, you will learn hands-on the issues of the country. Marva will help you strengthen your ties to Israel, whether you’re a tourist or a potential new immigrant. It is a group experience like no other.
The program is based in the south of Israel on a Gadna base, but participants will spend considerable time in various other parts of the country, including Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the Galilee and more. Through hikes, lectures, lessons and physical activities, participants partake in real-life training exercises and live in actual army conditions. Hard military-style discipline is enforced in all activities, making this experience challenging and satisfactory.
A separate Marva application is required and final acceptance is at the discretion of the Marva staff. Participants are required to demonstrate a basic level of physical and mental wellbeing.  All male participants must arrive with a very short haircut.

*Due to the 8-week Marva schedule, academic courses for credit are not offered to those choosing this add-on track.

More Special Interest Tracks

Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Entrepreneurship

Spring semester — TLV — 5 months
Curious about what makes the start-up nation tick? Excited to learn – first hand – how entrepreneurs take ideas and turn them into companies? Want an insiders look at successful global companies like Intel, Mobileye, and others?
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Extreme

Spring semester — JLM — 5 months
(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)
Adrenaline junkie? Love pushing your limits? Looking for a thrilling way to explore Israel and yourself? Extreme could be the leadership and personal development program for you!
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

MADA

SPRING SEMESTER – TLV & JLM – 2 MONTHS
Love action? Passionate about medicine? Excited by the opportunity to save lives? Take a crash course in emergency medical care and become a certified first responder through MADA.
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Marva

Fall semester — 8 Weeks
If you’ve ever wondered… How would it feel to wear the uniform of the Israel Defense Forces? What do Israelis go through when they enlist? Could I really do it? Then Marva might be for you.
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Sea Sports

FALL SEMESTER — TLV — 5 MONTHS
Surf. Sun. Sports. Say No More. Love to be active? Crazy about the beach? Join the bustling beach athletics culture in Israel and get your blood pumping with the Sea Sports Track.
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Selah

FALL & SPRING – JLM & TLV
You’re an adult. That means that your relationship with Judaism, your future as a member of the Jewish people, and the legacy you want to pass on is now defined by you and only you.