HOUSING INFORMATION

PALESTINE AND ARABIC STUDIES

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Accommodation for PAS students can be arranged by our housing coordinator. Preferences for
housing types as indicated on the application form are taken into account as much as possible.
However, due to the current housing crisis in the West Bank and a spiraling of prices for rented
apartments, some applicants may not be accommodated according to their first preference.
Students will be escorted to their accommodation on the first day of orientation, and may be
requested to pay the rent for the first two months upon arrival. Most landlords prefer to be paid
in US$. Please be prepared.

While at Birzeit, your address is:

Your name
PAS program
Birzeit University
POBox 14
Birzeit
Palestine
(Via Israel)

Fax: +972 2 281 0656 or +972 2 2982958; Phone messages: +972 2 298 2153 (PAS Office);

The following types of accommodation are available.

Single or shared rooms in apartments with Palestinian students.

Single or shared rooms in apartments with international students.

Because of occasional checkpoints placed by the Israeli army on the road between Birzeit and
Ramallah, the PAS program encourages its students to live in Birzeit, so that in case of a road
closure classes can continue.

Monthly rent:
US$ 100-200, depending on shared or single rooms, plus your share of the utilities (water,
electricity and cooking gas).

NOTE 1: It is not acceptable for male and female students to live in the same apartment
unless they are a married couple.

NOTE 2: Most apartments do not have a phone connection. It is advisable to bring with
you a mobile phone or buy one upon arrival. A phone with SIM card can be purchased
locally for US$150-200.

As each housing placement presents a unique situation, students will be paying differing
amounts within that range. Please note that placement with Palestinian students sometimes
depends on last minute changes within their households. Final placements for some PAS
students may not be possible until close to the beginning of the semester.
Sharing accommodation with Palestinian students:

Living together with Palestinian students can be a very interesting experience and a good
opportunity to practice the Arabic language. In order to facilitate integration into the student
household, our students are advised to discuss with their Palestinian housemates
mutual expectations, for example, whether and when they are expected to attend meals,
visitors policy, cleaning and shopping procedures.

Students should provide their own bed linen and towels. They can be bought cheaply in
Ramallah or Birzeit if you do not want to carry them with you.

Please note: Students should be aware of the different culture in which they will be living, as
well as the restriction of resources, such as water and electricity, in the West Bank. In
particular, more conservative dress norms than many may be accustomed to should be
respected (e.g. shorts, halter and sleeveless tops and mini-skirts are not considered acceptable
attire in most homes).

If you arrive prior to the first day of orientation, the following

numbers may be of use to you:

St Thomas Home: 6, Chaldean Street, Off Nablus Road, the narrow street next to the Interior
Ministry of East Jerusalem, Ph: +972 2 628 2657. Fax: 02 628 4217. (This is a small
establishment and it is advisable to make reservations either through us or directly by calling
them between 10-13:00 local time, ask for Nina.)

The Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Road, East Jerusalem. Ph/fax: +972 2 628 3282 or 6271356;
E-mail: raed@jrshotel.com

Petra Hostel, just inside Jaffa Gate, East Jerusalem. Tel: +972 2 6286 618. e-mail:
(petrahtl@netvision.net.il). (US$ 8-30)
The Miami Pension, Jaffa Street, across from the Ramallah Park, Ramallah.
Ph: +972 2 295 6808

El Bireh Tourist Hotel, main Jerusalem-Ramallah road, past Urabi cars,

Ramallah. Ph: +972 2 240 6803 Fax: +972 2 240 6802

The Hajal Hotel, Lutheran Street, Ramallah. Ph: +972 2 298 6759: Fax: +972 2 298 7858

revised/5/2005/rk

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