Aardvark Israel
Nativ Track

Living in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, participants will be able to take full advantage of the cultural enrichment, night life, and convenience of the most popular cities in Israel for today’s young adults. Participants will be immersed into Israeli society, meeting their Israeli neighbors, shopping for groceries in the local shops, and navigating on public transportation, giving them the chance to truly “live like a local.”

• Jerusalem students live downtown next to Machane Yehuda, the famous outdoor market
• Tel Aviv students live in the trendy Florentine neighborhood surrounded by young Israelis

Our modern, comfortable apartments are shared only by participants in the program. All our community apartments are fully furnished and equipped with kitchen appliances and utensils, and of course WiFi. All apartments are kosher and maintained as Shomer Shabbat environments, to support a Jewish lifestyle throughout the program.

You will boost your resume, gain new skills, and meet new people through your internship or volunteer placement. Each week, approximately 16-20 hours will be spent in a wide range of internship and volunteering options. The program staff will also provide coaching and support throughout the year in order to help you make the most of the experience. Examples of placements include: media outlets, top startups, archeological dig, hospitals, marketing, fashion, English teaching, non-profit, community gardening, zoo, and many more. Our placement coordinators will work with you to find the best placement to suit your interests and skills.

As a special interest add-on, participants can also train to become certified first responders for MADA (Magen David Adom), Israel’s national ambulance service, gaining life-saving skills while making a real impact in Israeli communities.

Weekly seminars on a range of topics facing Israeli society and the Jewish community abroad, paired with leadership training activities, will provide participants with the tools to think critically, communicate confidently, and take initiative as Jewish leaders. 

Once a week, participants will study Jewish texts, offering a direct connection to the rich history, values, and traditions of the Jewish people. This component of the program will allow participants to connect with the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of our ancestors, while also spark personal reflection and growth, as well as build community as the group learns together.

Nativ offers participants a unique opportunity to live and experience Jewish life in Israel. Each month, participants take part in Shabbatonim, celebrating Shabbat in diverse communities across the country through communal meals, tefillot, and meaningful discussions.

Students also celebrate the full cycle of Jewish holidays. Throughout the year, chagim are marked by shared celebration and reflection, from the joy of Sukkot to the introspection of Yom Kippur. In preparation for the holidays, participants engage in volunteer projects that connect them to different communities and offer deeper insight into local traditions and the unique cultural expressions of each chag.

Every Tuesday, Nativ participants explore Israel through field trips that highlight the country’s history, culture, and Jewish significance. These tiyulim include nature reserves, archaeological sites, vibrant neighborhoods, and museums, with destinations like Hevron, King Herod’s Fortress, Ein Mabua Spring, the Temple Mount, Tel Aviv’s street art, and the Gaza border region. 

Students also take part in Tanach Tiyulim, visiting the exact places where biblical stories unfolded. Participants walk in the footsteps of prophets, deepening their understanding of Jewish faith, history, and the land from biblical times to today.

In addition to weekly tiyulim, the program includes overnight trips across the country, from the Galilee and Golan Heights to the Negev and Arava.