FAQ
I heard the Israel Trek is the best experience in HBS but I'm afraid I won't have a spot left, what do I do?
Come to the Info-Session on February 2nd where we will answer all your questions. The registration will open a few days after the info-session. Registration will be on a first-come-first-serve basis and the down payment should be payed in order to save your spot. We really wish we could accomodate all of the demand but are limited to 114 spots due to various considerations.
Are partners welcome?
YES!
Can I join at a date later than May 23rd?
Yes, we will let you know where we will be on that day and you can arrive to our location / hotel at the evening. Please note public transportation is problematic on Friday & Saturday and some of the places we will visit might be a bit complicated to arrive to alone without a car, therefore we recommend to join the trek on time.
I want to stay after the trek for a little while, should I coordinate with you?
Great! In that case there’s no need to coordinate with us BUT we do have some great tips for you so let us know. Please note that websites like AirBnB and CouchSurfing are EXTREMELY popular in Israel, so if you don’t feel like sleeping in a hotel and want to hook up with some locals – Israelis are very inviting.
Do I need a visa?
US citizens can travel to Israel without a Visa. Other countries might need a visa, you can see if you are required to get a visa here: http://cibtvisas.com/. The Israel trek team will go above and beyond to accommodate any Visa special needs that our participants might encounter. We are working with the Israeli official security bodies to seek creative solutions. This has been done in the past and expected to be done this year as well. The sooner we’ll know about Visa issues, the sooner we we'll be able to solve them. We strongly encourage everyone to sign for the Israel Trek and promise a 100% effort to address their special requests for Visas. If you suspect you might have specific problems, please contact us.
Can I not have a stamp of entry on my passport?
Yes, if you do-not want to have your passport stamped tell the officer at the border control upon arrival.
Will you purchase the flight tickets or should I book them myself?
In order to make things convenient for you, we arranged one group flight option – for those who fly in and out from Boston.
You are welcomed to compare other prices and decide until Feb 15.
If you want to book the group flight, please let us know till then.
Flight details (Air Canada, connection through Toronto):
AC7381 23MAY BOSYYZ 1100 1246
AC 84 23MAY YYZTLV 1630 1005
AC 85 01JUN TLVYYZ 1145 1635
AC7388 01JUN YYZBOS 1845 2017
Fees of the public option will be communicated over email. The airline requires only 100$ deposit until Feb 20 to hold your seat.
Please contact Mor Sidi, msidi@mba2016.hbs.edu with any further questions.
How many people are going on the Trek?
We capped the number of people at 114. Every year the trek is over-booked but although it’s hard for us to turn people down, we believe 114people is the optimal number. A number of 114 allows us to bring you the best restaurants, best hotels, best places to visit, comfortable busses and a good guides/people ratio. Above all, it gives you a chance to meet awesome new HBSers!
Do I need any vaccinations?
No.
Is it safe?
Completely.
Should I learn some basic Hebrew to get around in Israel?
Most of the population speaks English just fine for you to be able to get around. Depending on location, you will be able to use your Arabic, Russian and French skills.
What is the tip policy in Israel?
We usually tip 12-15% in restaurants, there are no tips for cabs/hotels/etc, we will cover the bills and tips in all places we will go to.
If I can't come last moment will you refund me?
Unfortunately, we can't refund any cancellations since we need to pay the different suppliers in advance. Switches will be accomodated if done in advance as several considerations are involved.
I want to rent a car after the trek in Israel, anything I need to know?
There's no right turn on red. Red light is always a no-go.
When turning left, green light means you can go, the cars across won't have green light at the same time (off course always make sure the road is clear and that you turn safely).
Have more questions?
Please email one of the below:
Mor Sidi msidi@mba2016.hbs.edu
David Ben Shimol dbenshimol@mba2016.hbs.edu
Alon Kremer akremer@mba2016.hbs.edu
Interested in a summer internship in Israel?
InsideIL is a job-matching platform that allows HBS students to explore and apply to summer internship opportunities at startups, VCs, and multinational companies in Israel.
How does InsideIL help HBS students?
InsideIL works with companies in Israel to identify and structure summer internships that will be beneficial for both the company and the intern. While the majority of opportunities posted on our site offer salaries, some are lower than comparable jobs in other countries. To bridge this gap, InsideIL offers grants to HBS interns to subsidize flights, housing, and other expenses. In addition, InsideIL provides logistical assistance with housing and visa applications. We will also offer supplemental and optional programming in the form of lectures from prominent Israeli figures, networking events, and excursions.
Please note that while students will submit their resume and cover letters to the various companies using the InsideIL platform, the companies themselves (and not InsideIL) will be in charge of selecting students for interviews and ultimately extending offers.
What are the internship dates?
Most internships are intended to begin in early June, right after the HBS Israel Trek. However, start dates are flexible according to your scheduling preferences and those of each individual company. Internships can span 8-12 weeks, which you will be able to negotiate on a case-by-case basis during your interviews.
How does the job and grant application process work?
First, explore jobs on the InsideIL web portal and apply to opportunities which interest you. Once you are at the final stages of securing a position with an Israeli firm (i.e. you are their top candidate), you will be eligible to apply for a grant from InsideIL. We understand that your acceptance of a job may be contingent upon receiving grant money, and will work closely with you and the companies throughout the process.
How can I learn more?
Come to our information session immediately following the Israel Trek info session on February 2nd at 3:30pm in Aldrich 111.
