Travel and Packing
Preparing for JUC
Before your arrival at JUC, here are a few things you should prepare for:
Mapping Materials Package
You will be sent a mapping materials package in the mail upon paying your deposit for a Short-Term program. You will use these maps in the classroom and field throughout your program.
The requirements for these mapping materials vary by program (see below) and will be detailed in the instructions inside your mapping packet. For those programs requiring pre-program completion, please estimate approximately 40 hours to mark your maps. All students will need a set of colored felt-tipped markers or colored pencils (specifically yellow, green, blue, red, orange, black, purple, and brown).
- Historical and Geographical Settings of the Bible: Maps 1-7 to be completed prior to the program
- Jesus and His Times: Maps 2-3 & 5 to be completed during the program
- Pastor and Parishioner: Maps 1-7 to be completed prior to the program
You will use the Regional Study Guide to complete your maps. More information about how to use and access the Regional Study Guide will be emailed to you and sent in your Mapping Materials Package.
Arrival Procedure
Depending on your selected housing location for your program, please view the instructions for exiting Ben Gurion airport.
Arrival to JUC Campus
Please schedule your arrival in Jerusalem at Ben Gurion (TLV) airport on the first day of your program. If you are staying at the JUC campus, follow the arrival instructions below:
1. Take the Jerusalem Shuttle Service (Nesher Sherut) to campus.
To arrive at the JUC campus from Ben Gurion airport, please take a sherut, which is a large, yellow-white shared taxi (click here to see what they look like). Sheruts are different from regular taxis, which typically cost $100+ (USD). Here are the steps to take upon exiting the airport:
- Tell the driver that you are going to "The American Institute on Mount Zion." He will then assign you a sherut and help load your luggage into the back. We advise you keep all personal items (passport, wallet, money, etc.) on your person during the ride.
- The sherut will not depart until all seats are full. The driver may offer to depart early for an additional fee if you prefer.
- Please prepare to pay $20 (USD) per person for the trip. This cost is enough to cover the ride (no tip needed) from the airport to Jerusalem. It is best to have exact change.
- Make payment after arrival to your destination, when your bags have been unloaded. It is culturally common for payments such as this to be delivered with a handshake and a simple “Thank you.” Following this procedure shows the driver that you know what you are doing, avoiding potential confrontation or price increases.
2. Walk from your drop-off point to campus.
Avoid using GPS or online maps. They are often unreliable when navigating to JUC.
If you have trouble locating the campus, please call us:
- Administrative office: +972-2-671-8628
3. Ring the button at the campus gate.
Ring the button for “Office" or "Short-Term Programs."
4. Welcome to JUC!
Arrival to Hotel Housing
Please schedule your arrival in Jerusalem at Ben Gurion (TLV) airport on the first day of your program. If you are staying in hotel housing, follow the arrival instructions below:
1. Take the Jerusalem Shuttle Service (Nesher Sherut) to your hotel.
To arrive at your hotel housing from Ben Gurion airport, please take a sherut, which is a large, yellow-white shared taxi (click here to see what they look like). Sheruts are different from regular taxis, which typically cost $100+ (USD). Here are the steps to take upon exiting the airport:
- Tell the driver the name of the hotel you will be staying at (e.g. Gloria Hotel). He will then assign you a sherut and help load your luggage into the back. We advise you keep all personal items (passport, wallet, money, etc.) on your person during the ride.
- The sherut will not depart until all seats are full. The driver may offer to depart early for an additional fee if you prefer.
- Please prepare to pay $20 (USD) per person for the trip. This cost is enough to cover the ride (no tip needed) from the airport to Jerusalem. It is best to have exact change.
- Make payment after arrival to your destination, when your bags have been unloaded. It is culturally common for payments such as this to be delivered with a handshake and a simple “Thank you.” Following this procedure shows the driver that you know what you are doing, avoiding potential confrontation or price increases.
2. Arrive After Check-In.
Please arrive to your hotel after the check-in time that is communicated to you by JUC. If you arrive significantly before the normal check-in time on your designated arrival day, there will likely be an additional fee assessed by the hotel.
Note: You are responsible to arrange any accommodations outside of the designated arrival and departure dates for your program.
3. Welcome to Jerusalem!
Program Details
After you arrive at JUC, you will receive a program schedule which includes the dates and times of field studies and locations of stay. While the staff at JUC does their best to adhere to the program schedule, please note that changes do occur even at the last minute or during the course of the program itself, due to logistical or safety reasons. If such changes occur, you will be informed of them by your instructor or by the JUC staff.
Departure From Israel
Please schedule your departure from Ben Gurion airport for the last day of the program. If you wish to stay on campus longer, you must have prior written permission since rooms may not be available, and you will be charged for those days.
Group Bus Transfer
For those Short-Term groups which have requested (prior to arrival) group transportation from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem, a representative of Jerusalem University College will meet you at the airport. It is important that everyone in the group gather at the baggage claim area and pass through customs (“Nothing to Declare”) together, then exit the airport together as a group. Once someone exits, it is not possible to return and look for stragglers.