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Petition Type: New
ID: 818
Submitted: March 10, 2015 at 4:05:27 PM
First Name: Justin
Last Name: Kaminker
Student Number: 10093493
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 2

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution

Petition Letter

Petition Letter: Justin Kaminker
10093493
905-741-1165

Appeal to the Associate Dean
RE: International Letter of Permission to study abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem

My name is Justin Kaminker, a current second year political studies student at Queen's. During the second semester of third year I would like to study abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem at the Rothberg International School. I have several reasons for wanting to study abroad in Israel. First, my mother is Israeli and half my family still lives in Israel. Going on this semester abroad would give me an opportunity to get closer with that side my family. Second, I have been to Israel the past two summers and liked it so much that I would like the chance to go there for longer. Third, Israel holds immense cultural and religious significance for me and I would like to be able to immerse myself in the culture and language there.
At the Rothberg International School I would be taking a full course load, with all courses being in English. These courses include Israeli politics courses that could count for credits towards my major, religious studies courses, and Israeli history courses. All of these topics are of deep interest to me and I would not be able to take any courses like this at Queen's. I'll be studying with students from dozens of countries around the world including many from Canada and the United States. I'll also be living in residence there with students in the international program. This experience of studying abroad and living with other international students in a country that I call my second home would greatly contribute to my intellectual and personal growth.
I am already familiar with Hebrew language as I grew up being exposed to it in my family's household. I am also familiar with the culture in Israel and the overall way of life. With half my family living in Israel and many other friends that either live there or are also studying there next year, the transition to Israel for a semester would be rather seamless. Upon returning I still aim to finish my degree at Queen's by Spring 2017 and move on to graduate school opportunities.

Sincerely,


Justin Kaminker

Academic Plan

Academic Plan: My plan for academic success is straightforward. While at Hebrew U I plan to take two courses that may contribute credits towards my political studies degree (subject to approval). If the two courses are not approved to be part of my degree concentration I will have to take all electives while I am there and take an increased load of concentration courses in third and fourth year to make up for the semester abroad of electives. There are two mandatory politics courses that must be taken in third year - POLS 384 & 385 - one of which I will have to take in fourth year. Providing I follow this track I will still graduate at the end of fourth year like I plan to.

Documentation

Professional Letter Detail: My letter from the undergraduate chair of political studies was sent separately to student services at the Faculty of Arts & Science office.
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History

Originally submitted March 10, 2015 at 4:05:27 PM.

FieldReferenceOld ValueNew ValueNoteUserDate/Time
statusN/AReceivedPrepared for ReviewCarrie Roosenmaalen2015-03-11 10:03:14 AM
statusN/APrepared for ReviewIn ReviewHaley Everson2015-03-20 10:22:02 AM
statusN/AIn ReviewGrantedHaley Everson2015-04-02 1:55:12 PM
associate_deanN/AJohanne Benard, Ph.D.Haley Everson2015-04-02 1:55:12 PM
decision_letterN/AN/ADecision letter sentHaley Everson2015-04-02 1:55:35 PM