One Semester (12-15 credits) International Students Program

International students Program – Track B (ISP-B)

Study for One Semester at Bethlehem Bible College.

The Land of the Bible is our classroom! We are in continuity with Biblical cultures as well as languages. We believe that our unique context will revolutionize your reading of the Bible as well as your understanding of the Middle East.

We invite you to study in the footsteps of Jesus, the Apostles, David and the Patriarchs. The Nativity Church, the birthplace of Jesus, is within a walking distance. Jerusalem is 15 minutes away. Nazareth is two hours away. Hebron the city of refuge is 30 minutes away. Come and swim in the Dead Sea and visit Tiberius and the Mediterranean Sea in one day. Come and experience the spiritualities of the Judean wilderness and visit the 1500 years old monasteries.

In addition to all of that, you will be able to meet modern Samaritans, Muslims, Jews, Messianic Jews, as well as Arab Palestinian Christians from different church families. You will also taste the delicious Middle Eastern food and experience the Palestinian culture.

BBC is accredited through the Middle East Association of Theological Education and the Palestine Council of Higher Education.

The full-time course load will offer 12 credit hours with up to 15 classroom hours per week; the part-time course load is flexible.

To Download Application Form, go to the bottom of this page. 

For more information, please contact isp@bethbc.org

Course List and Descriptions for Fall Semester, 2011 (September – December 2011)

Courses offered are:

Geography and Spirituality of the Land of the Bible (3 credit hours)

This course discusses the relationship between the topography, geography,and history of the Land of the Bible with the Biblical texts. Educational Trips 1, 4, 5 are required for this course. See below for description.

Theology and Politics of Israel-Palestine (3 credit hours)

This course presents current political and theological issues related to Palestiniancontextual theology. It also entails observing the interaction of politics and theology(theopolitics) in the daily lives of people.Educational Trips 2, 3 are required for this course. See below for description.

Palestinian Culture and Society (includes studies of Islam – 3 credit hours)

This course is a study of the socio-economic, organizational and politicalcomponents of Palestinian society, with a focus on pertinent current developments.We will tackle the historical development of the Palestinian society under politicalchanges and the influence of these changes on the structural fabric of the society.The course also investigates economic, demographic, social and cultural aspects. Italso dwells on both the Palestinian personality and identity. At the end, the courseinvestigates contemporary issues of the Palestinian society and its future in the light of the political settlement.Educational Trips 2, 3 are required for this course. See below for description.

Arabic I (3 credit hours)

The Arabic 1 course is reading and writing in Arabic for beginners.

(Arabic II-  more advanced Arabic tutorials offered – 3 credits)

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at Bethlehem Bible College’s Guest House. Please visit http://www.bethbc.com/guesthouseto look at our facilities. The cost per month for students enrolled in this program is only $400/month.

Financial Information

Educational Trips

The educational trips illuminate the academic information of your courses through visiting the cultural settings that are studied. The trips are led by one of our instructors, a professional and informational guide. The first-hand experience of these trips communicates knowledge that books never could - don’t miss it!

Trip One: Day Trip in Jerusalem

Visit the impressive sites of the Old City: Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall, city walls and gates, Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives, Shrine of the Book that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Israel Museum.

Part of the time is focused on “The Life and Times of Jesus” in which we visit main second temple period archaeological sites that have been excavated. Another part of the time focuses on gaining a better understanding of the Bible by teaching the geography of the Holy Land.

Cost: $100 per student includes transportation, guide, and entrance fee to Israel Museum

Trip Two: BethlehemArea

This trip includes:

1.      Israeli Settlement: Bethlehem is surrounded by many settlements. The participant will see at sight what is considered as one the major obstacles to the peace process.

2.      The Separation Wall: A visit to multiple locations of the wall. Bethlehem is surrounded from all sides by the wall and at least two locations will be visited to see at sight the affects of this wall on the town of Bethlehem and the surrounding villages.

3.      Refugee Camp: Bethlehem has three refugee camps. Participants will take a tour in at least one of these camps and meet people there and listen to their stories and testimonies about daily life experiences, and ambitions.

4.      The Nativity Church: This forth century church is place of birth of our Lord Jesus.

Cost: $80 per student includes transportation, guide, and dinner with families

Trip Three: Cultural Day Trip

Although Hebron is a city of refuge in the Old Testament, no city in Palestine today exemplifies the conflict and the tension more than Hebron – with its divisions, checkpoints and settlements. Participants will also visit the Cave of the Patriarchs (the Ibrahimi Mosque) – a holy site for the three religions.

Cost: $65 per student includes transportation and guide

Trip Four: Trip to WadiQelt.This is one of the best places to experience desert spirituality. It is a four hours hike from Jerusalem to Jericho through the Judean desert with a visit to Saint George – a Greek Orthodox Monastery. The hike will conclude with a visit to the city of Jericho.

Cost: $80 includes transportation, guide, lunch and water

Trip Five: Weekend Visit to the North, 2 nights in Nazareth. Visit Galilee, Beth Shean, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Megiddo, Cana, Nazareth, Caesarea Maritima

Cost: $320 per student includes transportation, lodging, guide, and one meal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your accreditation?

BBC is accredited through the Middle East Association of Theological Education and the Palestine Council of Higher Education.

What is the language of instruction?

English

What is the weather like?

Fall in the Holy Land is dry, dusty and quite warm during the day with temperatures ranging from 57 °-87 °F. Warm, layered clothing is useful in the month of December when temperatures can go into the forties.

What are the rules about clothing?

Comfortable conservative dress is essential in our Middle Eastern culture. Women are advised that skirts and slacks are appropriate; shorts, mini-skirts and sleeveless blouses are not appropriate.

Who are you affiliated with?

BBC invites students from all denominations to take part in its programs and is not affiliated with any one church or group.

Insurance:

Students are encouraged to obtain general insurance plans from home institutions. However, if desired, the college can recommend a local agency to help.

Passports:

Prospective students need to obtain a valid passport from their home country. Contact your local embassy about visa requirements. The Bible College is not able to help in this matter.

Transportation:

Students arriving into the country via Ben Gurion Airport can contact the college in advance for pickup from the airport or the BBC can arrange a taxi directly from the airport. Once in Bethlehem, there are various forms of transportation.

Staying Longer?

Upon entry you will obtain a three month visa: this will allow you to enjoy the Christmas holiday here.

Profiles of Instructors:

Rev. Alex Awad (MA. In Missiology, Asbury Theological Seminary; MA in Education, N. Georgia University in Dahlonega GA) is Dean of Students and Instructor at Bethlehem Bible College, and pastor of East Jerusalem Baptist Church. He is a worldwide speaker on the on the Palestinian Israeli conflict and on Christians in the Holy Land. He has written many books and articles, most recently “Palestinian Memories. A Story of a Palestinian Mother and Her People”.

Rami Fellemon:(M.A. Biblical History and Geography/Emphasis on Archaeology -Jerusalem University College) is a full time instructor at Bethlehem Bible College. Rami holds a tour guide license in Israel. He started in 2009 his Ph.D. work in Archaeology at Bar Elan University in Tel Aviv.

Dr. Yohanna Katanacho (PhD 2007, Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL; M-Div., Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL; MA in Old Testament, Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL) is the Academic at Bethlehem Bible College and Galilee Bible College. He has authored and translated several books and articles in Arabic and English.

Dr. Salim Munayer (MA., Fuller Theological Seminary; PhD., Oxford Center for Mission Studies) is Associate Professor at Bethlehem Bible College. He is the founder and director of Musalaha, a ministry of Reconciliation between Palestinian and Israeli Christians. He is a worldwide speaker on issues of Reconciliation. He is the author of many books and articles, most recently a commentary on Hosea for Asia Theological Association.

Dr. AdnanMusallam:(PhD. Contemporary Arabic/Islamic Thought; Contemporary History of the Arab World and the Middle East; and Contemporary Arabic Literature. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan). Dr. Adnan is an Associate Professor at Bethlehem University and a part-time Instructor at Bethlehem Bible. He is a prolific author on the Palestinian society and culture.

Click Here to Download Application Form