What Happens When Regent Students Experience Israel for Themselves?

To confront rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, Regent University launched the Israel Institute program. In partnership with CBN Israel and Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, the Israel Institute offers doctoral students a fellowship program exploring Israel's Biblical history, modern politics, and complex current issues. With their feet on the ground in Israel, students discover what can only be learned outside of the classroom. 

For the participating fellows, the opportunity to complete research while getting acquainted with the culture has been invaluable. As Rhiannon noted, "Naturally, Israel is a very interesting time to study international relations. And Israel is a very appropriate place to do that." For others, the program provided a long-desired gateway to the region, with students remarking that they "couldn't think of a better place to study international relations." Beyond the academic rigor, students experienced a profound spiritual difference, describing the awe of visiting the Sea of Galilee or walking the same roads where biblical history unfolded. 

Students in the Israel Institute program embark on a spiritual, intellectual, and physical journey by studying at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, visiting historical and iconic locations, and participating in hands-on volunteer projects. For many, the experience challenges preconceptions formed from a distance. "I came in with few expectations, but the reality of being here is just so much more intense than reading about it from a distance," Rhiannon shared. "You see Muslims and Jews and Christians living together, and being here has been so eye-opening." 

Ultimately, the program serves as more than an education; it is a life-changing experience. Whether it is visiting the Gaza envelope to see the reality of conflict sites firsthand or engaging with local beneficiaries, the students find that the experience takes their academic studies to a new level of reality. As Glorie reflected, "Something about Israel compels me to my core… to be here in person will completely change your life. The people that you speak to will completely change your life. And I think it's priceless."