(ISRAEL) Reichman University says international enrollment is fueling a broader life choice far beyond commencement, with many students deciding to stay in Israel after graduation. The school’s Raphael Recanati International School, which enrolls more than 2,500 students from over 90 countries, reports that more than half of its international cohort ultimately makes Aliyah. Administrators and Students describe a campus experience that blends academics, community, and practical support, creating a clear path from student life to permanent roots in Israel. As universities worldwide compete for global talent, the trend at Reichman University stands out for tying classroom success to long-term integration.
The Raphael Recanati International School: scale and mission
The Raphael Recanati International School is the largest international school in Israel and accounts for roughly one-third of Reichman University’s total student body. Founded in 1994 by Professor Uriel Reichman, the university positions itself as a community built on freedom, responsibility, and social mission. Leaders say that mandate is not just a slogan.
The international school operates as a hub where foreign students form durable ties with Israeli society, and those ties often shape life choices after graduation. The scale of the program—with students arriving from more than 90 countries—has made the campus a microcosm of global youth ambition in Israel.
Campus life and community
Students describe a “global family” that begins in classrooms and spills into daily life. Cultural events, such as shared food festivals and group retreats, are routine and help newcomers feel at home while preserving their own traditions.
Staff emphasize that this close-knit network matters as much as any syllabus. It builds confidence for students adjusting to new customs and the pace of Israeli life. As bonds strengthen, many students begin to imagine a future in Israel that includes work, family, and, for a growing share, Aliyah.
“The mix of community and practical support makes the idea of staying here feel realistic rather than abstract.”
Academics, innovation, and student satisfaction
Academic life aims to match the community energy. Reichman University offers interdisciplinary programs modeled after Ivy League approaches, with an emphasis on innovation and leadership.
- A vibrant campus scene features clubs, programs, and mentoring that bring students together across majors.
- Career support starts early; staff encourage students to test ideas in real settings.
- The university highlights a multi-year stretch in which it was ranked number one in Israel for student satisfaction.
Officials argue that this steady focus on student experience lays the groundwork for later decisions to stay.
Practical support and the path to Aliyah
The school’s approach to Aliyah is both pragmatic and personal. Advisers help students handle day-to-day questions about life in Israel while they study, and that attention often smooths the decision to remain after graduation.
According to the university, more than half of international students at the Raphael Recanati International School ultimately make Aliyah, turning their academic path into a permanent move.
Financial and practical supports include:
- Masa scholarships for non-olim
- Absorption grants for olim
- Health insurance options tailored to international students
- Advising on visas and status
Staff stress that these tools do not replace personal choice, but they can ease real pressure at key moments.
Housing, accessibility, and religious life
Housing and social supports have expanded alongside the program:
- University dorms, including special accommodations for students with disabilities
- A strong Jewish community on and around campus that supports religious life
- Layered supports (housing, health, community) that let students focus on studies while picturing a stable future nearby
These elements provide a familiar anchor for students who are far from home.
Career services and the Israeli ecosystem
Career planning sits at the center of the university’s pitch. The school runs a career placement office and job fairs that connect students with employers both in Israel and internationally.
- Graduates enter jobs or graduate programs worldwide, but many are pulled toward Israel’s startup scene.
- The university’s entrepreneurial spirit and ties to the tech ecosystem are a natural draw for students who want to build companies or join young firms.
- For students undecided about staying, a job offer or a startup idea often tips the balance.
Programs, admissions, and visa information
The academic mix has grown to meet demand. The Raphael Recanati International School offers:
- Full degree programs in English
- Study-abroad options for non-degree students
- Dedicated staff to guide applicants through admissions and student life questions
For visa and official requirements, the university points prospective students to government resources. Official information about student visas in Israel is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page for the A/2 student visa: Student visa (A/2).
Administrators say early planning helps students stay on track from acceptance to arrival, and the international office remains a point of contact after students settle in.
How the decision to stay usually unfolds
The decision to build a life in Israel often takes shape gradually. Students arrive for a degree and find themselves drawn into a campus rhythm that feels both familiar and new.
- The supportive “global family”, English-language programs, and clear career steps lower barriers to local integration.
- Seeing older peers find work and put down roots makes Aliyah feel like a practical plan rather than an abstract option.
- Students who make the move often remain connected to campus, helping the next wave feel confident about staying.
Broader significance and outcomes
Observers who track global student flows note that campus culture can be as important as curriculum when a host country aims for long-term retention. VisaVerge.com reports that programs with hands-on career support and strong peer networks tend to see higher rates of graduates who settle locally.
Reichman University fits that pattern while adding features specific to Israel, such as scholarships linked to Aliyah and community life that supports religious practice. Leaders frame this as a virtuous circle: when international students feel at home, they invest in the place, and the place, in turn, invests in them.
For Israeli society, the trend carries practical weight:
- International graduates who stay bring language skills, global networks, and training that feed into research, business, and civic life.
- For families abroad, a campus that supports both education and life after graduation can ease concerns about distance and change.
- For students, the choice is personal and sometimes difficult, but the university’s promise is clear: you do not have to make it alone.
With over 2,500 students at the Raphael Recanati International School and a record of high student satisfaction, Reichman University argues that its model—education paired with community and career—helps turn a degree into a durable home.
This Article in a Nutshell
Reichman University’s Raphael Recanati International School, with over 2,500 students from more than 90 countries, combines interdisciplinary academics, community-building, and practical supports. Established in 1994, the school accounts for about one-third of the university and emphasizes innovation, leadership, and career preparation. More than half of international students ultimately make Aliyah, helped by scholarships, absorption grants, housing, health insurance options, and visa advising. Strong campus networks and ties to Israel’s startup ecosystem make remaining in Israel a tangible postgraduation option.
