Perfect Fit – Study in Israel

Environmental cooperation

Why did you choose to study at Tel Aviv University?

I did a student exchange at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in Be’er-Sheva, four years ago, while I was doing my undergraduate degree in Middle Eastern Studies in the Netherlands. During that semester, I took some courses related to the field of environmental studies. It inspired me to return to Israel and to find a program in this field.

I’ve now finished my first year of Tel Aviv University’s MA in environmental studies, and I’m focusing on my thesis. One of the things I like about the program is that if you’re not interested in writing a thesis, you don’t have to — in fact, you need certain grades to apply to the thesis track. I think it’s a smart approach: if you’re taking the program to enrich your knowledge or change career path, you might not need to write a thesis.

Why is the university’s environmental studies program a great option for students who want to focus on sustainability?

The environment is the biggest issue of our time, and the program’s interdisciplinary approach is crucial for things to really move forward. I took courses in all kinds of fields — water management, philosophy, city planning, nanotechnology, ecology – and learned to look at environmental issues from all these different fields of research.

What’s more, students come from all different backgrounds. Mine is in Middle Eastern studies, but my classmates hold degrees in economics, physics, biology, engineering and more. Some already had a career, and for many it was their second master’s degree. It was extremely valuable to learn together and from each other; it gave me a refreshing outlook on things.

My own thesis combines a lot of different disciplines, too – from Middle Eastern studies and water management to international relations and conflict studies, sociology and anthropology.

Sounds interesting, can you give us an overview of this project?

My topic is environmental cooperation under the Abraham Accords – the normalization agreement signed between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S. in September 2020. Specifically, I’m focusing on a recent agreement facilitated by the Accords that will see Israel provide Jordan with desalinated water, and Jordan provide Israel with solar power. It’s the first big outcome of the Accords that sees countries enter increased cooperation on environmental issues.

Efforts between Jordan and Israel had been going on for decades, but there were too many obstacles for something to actually happen. It’s very much a breakthrough in Israeli-Jordan relations — the biggest deal they’ve signed since the peace agreements in 1994; suddenly, things that weren’t possible are possible. My aim is to get an idea why such an agreement could come into existence, what it can bring to the region in terms of improved environmental cooperation and how that can lead to improved political stability and resource accessibility.

What drew you to this topic?

I come from the Netherlands, which is big on water management technology. During my time in Be’er-Sheva, I took a course in transboundary water management in the Middle East, which really sparked my interest. I then decided to write my BA thesis on transboundary water and wastewater issues between Israel and the Palestinians, and it’s also one of the reasons why I chose to do this program – because it covers transboundary water issues. It’s been gradual, step by step, and now everything is coming together in this project — my background in Middle Eastern Studies and my interests in water management and transboundary water issues.

How far along are you in your thesis?

I’m starting to conduct my interviews, reaching out to professionals in the field and people that have been involved in the signing of these agreements. I want to speak to politicians, diplomats and professionals in the water and energy sector, for all of the three countries that are involved.

What do you love the most about studying at Tel Aviv University?

Even though the program is demanding and serious, the professors are very approachable. You’re really taken seriously by the faculty and by the other students, too. Everybody’s very willing to help you or to connect you with other people.

What’s more, the program provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience through an internship program in environmental advocacy, environmental planning, social justice, transportation, green architecture and more. It held a day where various organizations gave presentations about their internships, and we were then able to apply to ones we found interesting.

Do you already know what you’d like to do in the future?

I haven’t yet decided if I want to continue in academia and pursue a PhD, but I would really like to contribute to the field of peacebuilding and of solving shared issues between countries. It’s definitely something I want to develop further – it can take on so many different shapes.

A chemistry powerhouse

Ariel University is a great option for students who want to pursue chemistry or other STEM subjects. Why?

There’s real value placed on teaching and on the importance of personal connections with students. Their education is really taken seriously. I think, I hope, that students feel that. Professors are given the opportunity to interact with them, ask them what they want to focus on in their research and help them to develop those fabulous ideas.

We’re also providing opportunities for students to travel to conferences, present their work and interact with other researchers and faculty members. I had students who virtually presented at the American Chemical Society meeting in Atlanta, Georgia last August. Another student traveled to a workshop in the far north and is writing a paper based on the ideas he got during that weekend.

When it comes to the chemical sciences, the possibility to join a group and research whatever you’re interested in is open. Ariel just got a medical school; the university has a strong chemical engineering program; I work closely with the Wine Research Institute; and I’m developing a material sciences program. I think most international students who consider coming are by definition self-starting, ambitious and extremely independent. Ariel University is a really good place to be that kind of person.

You moved to Israel from the U.S. What advice would you give to students who feel nervous about moving to another country?

In the chemistry department, and I think in all the sciences, there’s a tremendous international population. When I was the age of our graduate students, the thought of moving abroad seemed incredibly daunting — a new culture, a different language. But what I see here is that international students form tremendous communities: they travel together, help new students settle in, form sports leagues and have cultural and social celebrations. It’s an enormous strength of the experience here.

Can you tell us about the work you do around wastewater purification?

Our aim is to figure out better methods of chemical detection. I can tell you what’s in my water because I’m a chemist with access to all the instruments that I need, but most people don’t have that capability. I want to develop technology for the general population that’s both as easy to use and cheap as possible, so that people can see if there are lead or other chemicals in their water and be able to make informed decisions about what they consume.

We know that there’s a correlation between exposure to certain compounds and developing some diseases, but we can’t really get a good handle on that mechanism – how it works and how to stop it – if we can’t accurately quantify a person’s exposure.

What would you say to encourage students to specialize in a chemistry subject?

Chemistry has a big image problem not just with students, but with the general population. As chemists, we have to do a much better job of explaining that what we’re doing is really important to make lives easier — and to save them.

There’s chemistry in everything. A lot of major advances in science that people see and use every day are based on chemistry, including Covid-19 antigen and PCR tests; vaccines, including the newly developed Covid-19 vaccines; pregnancy tests; and new sources for clean energy, including more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Men have a much greater representation in STEM subjects than women. What work are you doing to address this issue?

There’s still a significant disparity in the number of men and women who are active and successful in STEM fields. It’s critical to address this issue: the entirety of science benefits from a larger, more inclusive pool of talented individuals joining the field.

What we need to do at all stages, but especially around middle schools, is develop programs that tell girls, we know this is hard, but look how fun it is, what you could discover, how rewarding this can be. I’ve run a chemistry camp for middle school girls in the United States for seven years, and I’m thrilled to bring similar programs to Ariel University. The idea is to give girls positive experiences, strong role models, and to directly say, if this interests you, please continue. We’ll do everything we can to help you.

What advice would you give to students to make most of their time at Ariel?

Students should come into any institution with the expectations that they should ask for things, be self-starters, introduce themselves to more people — that’s how they’re going to get the most out of it.

When they ask me for advice about research, I tell them to think of anything in this world that makes them think: wouldn’t it be nice? Wouldn’t it be nice if my milk got spoiled without smelling? Wouldn’t it be nice if this food didn’t explode all over the cup when I try to heat it up? When I was a student, I was terrified people were going to fix all problems before I’d be able to get into research. It turns out there’s no shortage of problems to be solved.

Environmental cooperation

Agriculture and the environment

Promoting renewable energy

A chemistry powerhouse

A chemistry powerhouse

Environmental cooperation