International Travel
You are responsible for your international flight. Mitchell Hamline School of Law has no responsibility for such arrangements. Airfares can vary greatly. Make your travel plans early to take advantage of advance purchase options. The airport is Ben Gurion International Airport. Students must arrive on December 28, 2025. If you would like Professor Press to meet you at the airport to give you guidance on transporting to the housing, you must arrive mid-morning to late afternoon.
Passports and Visas
Passports are required for travel to the Holy Land and are the responsibility of each student. Contact the nearest State Department Office or access information on the State Department website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html) for further information. Plan ahead and get your passport early!
U.S. citizens are not required to present a visa upon entrance into the Holy Land for a short course of study. However, you may be asked to present your letter of acceptance to the program, along with your round trip ticket, to customs officials upon arrival.
If you are a national of a country that Israel defines as a visa national country, you may require prior entry clearance. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has more information on visas. Students in need of prior entry clearance are responsible for applying for their own visas.
Make a copy of your passport and keep it in a separate place in the event that you lose the original.
The U.S. Embassy, Jerusalem
Gershon Agron Street 18
Jerusalem 9419003
Phone: +972-2-622-7230 M–F 8 am–4:30 pm
[email protected]
Read the U.S. Department of State’s policy on lost or stolen passports when abroad.
Course Requirements
Students must attend all class sessions, participate actively, and complete the reading assignments. Students seeking academic credits must complete a mid-course reflective assignment and a final paper. To earn a third credit, students will submit an additional written paper* by January 17, 2026. Grades will be based upon class participation and the preparation of the written work. There are no prerequisites for this course and there is no mandatory grading curve. The acceptance of any credit or grade for these courses by any school other than Mitchell Hamline is subject to approval by the student’s home school.
It is unlikely that participation in a foreign program may be used to accelerate graduation. Students interested in acceleration should seek clarification at their home schools.
* The extra paper option cannot be used to satisfy the long paper requirement for Mitchell Hamline students.
Facilities
From the first 4 days of the program, class will meet in a classroom on the Mount Scopus Campus of Hebrew University. During the later part of the program, students will spend 4 days attending meetings with peacemakers, visit legal institutions and tour for context.
Administrative offices for the program are in the Boyer Building of the Rothberg International School. Mitchell Hamline and the Rothberg International School of Hebrew University have cooperated in providing this program since its inception as a summer program in 1994. The city of Jerusalem and the facilities at Hebrew University are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Housing
Housing in double rooms is included in the fees (you may request roommates and student requests will be accommodated as we are able, on a first-come, first-served basis). Roommate requests are due by November 1, 2025.
From December 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026, students will be housed at Beit Maiersdorf Faculty Club on the Mount Scopus Campus of Hebrew University, Jerusalem. All rooms have air-conditioning, bath, satellite television, telephone, refrigerator, coffee-area, desk and free wi-fi and have views onto the city of Jerusalem or the University’s campus.
On January 4 – 5, students will stay at the Leonardo Be’er Sheva Hotel (or one of similar quality) and on January 6, students will stay at the Leonardo City Tower Tel Aviv (or one of similar quality)
For an additional fee, and on a first-come, first-served basis, a limited number of single rooms will be available. If you are interested in securing a single room for these three days, please contact Kitty Atkins, DRI Associate Director ([email protected]), for details.
Food
Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva and Tel Aviv all offer a wide variety of dining opportunities and price ranges. Food is available at the cafeterias on the Hebrew University campus. The nearby Dan Jerusalem Hotel remains open during Shabbat. Breakfast is included every day, and two lunches will be provided. All other meals are on your own.
Program Cancellation
Mitchell Hamline School of Law reserves the right to alter or cancel the J-term Study Abroad Program for insufficient enrollment or if exceptional circumstances such as natural disaster, war, political unrest, pandemic related issues, or similar circumstances. The program may be cancelled if fewer than 15 students enroll, or Mitchell Hamline determines the safety and security concerns in the area are not conducive to the program. Cancellation or material alteration will be promptly communicated to applicants.
In the event of program cancellation, all tuition and fees will be refunded. If a student requests, the director will use best efforts to make arrangements for the student to attend a similar program. In the event of material program alteration, any student wishing to cancel must send a letter of declaration within seven days of notification to request a full refund of tuition and fees. All money advanced by the student will be refunded within 30 days after the date of cancellation/receipt of student declaration. Mitchell Hamline will not provide refunds after the November 1 registration deadline for enrolled students who choose not to participate, for any reason, unless the program is cancelled.
Health
Health Insurance is included in the program fees.
U.S. State Department Travel Information
As of the most recent update of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website, the United States Department of State has a current travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Consult the US State Department website for details (U.S. State Department Travel Advisories).
Each participant should carefully assess the State Department Alerts and Warnings prior to enrollment. Each student must individually choose whether to undertake the risk of travel to the region and by enrolling agrees to assume all liability associated with the travel risk.
Also prior to travel, participants should check out the CDC Health Information for Travel to Israel website for pertinent health information.
Currency
The currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found via ATM machines or at banks.
Weather
The weather in the Holy Land during the winter is very unpredictable. Some winters are mild and sunny, while some are severe and overcast. Temperatures range in the 50’s-60’s F in most places, but in the 40’s in Jerusalem and the Galilee hills – where it can be very cold at night. It is the rainy season so you should expect some rain.
What to Pack
Travel light! Students can dress casually for class and meetings with peacemakers but may want to have a business outfit for visits to places of worship. For visits to religious sites, you will generally be expected to have your head, shoulders and knees covered (which you will want to do anyway because you can expect that the weather will be cool). Luggage requirements for all airlines have become very strict. You should check with your particular airline regarding its luggage restrictions. Penalties for oversized or overweight luggage can be steep. Be warned that airlines have the authority to refuse to carry luggage that does not meet their regulations.
Non-discrimination Policy
Please note: Mitchell Hamline School of Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education and employment programs or activities.