7 Things to Know Before Moving to Israel

Many of the students in our Hebrew distant learning courses decide to study Hebrew because they want to move to Israel.

Some of them want to enroll in an Israeli university, whereas others want to live and work in Israel permanently, but they all want to learn Hebrew online because they want to minimize any language barriers.

Recommended Reading: 3 Things That Cost a Lot of Money in Israel

If you’re considering a move to Israel, here’s what you should know:

1. The Land is Versatile

Israel offers different kinds of natural beauty, so fans of pristine natural environments are sure to find something they like.

There are seas, beaches, lakes, mountains, deserts, and erosion cirques known as makhtesh. Of the seven such cirques in the world, 5 are located in Israel.

2. The Cuisine is Tasty

In Israel, food is delicious and heavily influenced by the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Israeli food is also shaped by the tastes and recipes preferred by the Jewish Diaspora.

Thanks to these different influences, you get a wide-ranging variety of dishes. If your palate—or your body—isn’t used to the local foods, or you’ve only ever tried their westernized ‘fusion’ versions, you’ll definitely need some time to adjust to the flavors.

3. The Climate is Appealing

If you hail from a cold-weather country, moving to Israel will come as a pleasant surprise.

The country has a Mediterranean climate, which means that its summers are prolonged and hot, and its winters have a definite chill, but aren’t bitterly cold.

4. The Workweek is Unique

In order to accommodate the Jewish Shabbat—which starts with the sunset on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday—Israel has a rather unique workweek in place.

The country starts its workweeks on Sundays, and it’s business as usual until Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays make up the weekend in Israel.

5. The Culture Shock is Real

Israel’s culture can vary from westernized and liberal to more conservative, depending on the city you’re planning to move to.

People who move to Israel always experience a culture shock when they get here, which can last from weeks to months.

Recommended Reading: Marrying An Israeli? Here’s What You Can Expect!

6. The Language Should Be Learned

If you aren’t proficient in Hebrew, your chances of moving to Israel permanently are small. As the country’s official language, it’s spoken and written everywhere for all purposes.

The country also recognizes Arabic. English is understood and spoken in many places, particularly in the larger cities, but the language of choice for people in Israel is modern Hebrew.

7. The Preparation Needs to Start Early

If you’re planning to move to Israel, you’ll need to make a realistic plan.

Don’t move here without visiting for at least a fortnight and familiarizing yourself with the country and its culture. Many travel agencies offer special tours for this purpose. Get to know the city you want to move to, and start applying for jobs early so that you can have an easier time after arrival.

Ulpan-Or provides students everywhere in the world the chance to learn Hebrew with native teachers. Our Hebrew language instructors and customized programs make it easy for you to learn Hebrew even if you’re starting from scratch. Contact us today to get started.