The Bedouin Student Experience at BGU

STUDENT

Growing up in an unrecognized Bedouin village near Rahat, Mirvat Abu Hadoba-Frieh did not have nearby access to public transportation, paved roads, or health clinics. She and her 19 siblings did not live close to any educational institutions either. Yet, she was determined to go to school — and walked 40 minutes each way to the school bus, every day.

Today, Mirvat is a PhD student in the Department of Politics and Government at Ben-Gurion University. She says:

“I chose to study politics due to my deep interest in all the things that happen around us, and I intend to devote all of my time and effort to writing papers and developing the full potential of my doctoral research. Thank you for giving generously to Ben-Gurion University and making it possible for me to receive financial support.”

With its scholarship fund, Americans for Ben-Gurion University makes it possible for more than 550+ Bedouin students to enroll in degree programs each year — the highest enrollment rate in Israel. In addition to receiving financial assistance, which covers tuition, transportation, meals, and housing, students may also participate in counseling, mentoring, dropout prevention, and job placement programs. These students are often the first in their families to earn a degree, thrive in their careers, and fully immerse themselves in Israeli society.

Help us advance BGU’s efforts to reach more Bedouin students like Mirvat, to ensure their academic success, and in doing so, to promote development and inclusivity in the heart of Israel’s Negev region.