Onward Israel Remote FAQ
1.What is Onward Israel Remote (OIR)?
Onward Israel Remote (OIR) is a unique opportunity we are offering this year in light of the COVID-19 epidemic. Being that we won’t be able to run our traditional program in a safe and healthy way, we decided to offer this alternative that will still enable you to learn more about Israel while growing personally and professionally. OIR will enable you to intern for an Israeli company or organization from home providing value for them and advancing your career. The internship requirement will be 120 hours. In addition you will be offered a choice of online Israel related enrichment sessions on various topics. The program requires that you join at least one enrichment session a week.
2. Why do I need to apply for OIR, if I was already accepted on an Onward Israel program for the summer?
If you would like to participate on the Onward Israel Remote option you will need to reapply for this track. Being that it is different than what we were originally offering we want to make sure that applicants understand what they are signing up for. The application process will help us determine the right candidates for this track. We are looking for candidates who are responsible, self starters, organized, flexible and committed.
The remote internship options are limited, and we can’t offer everyone this option. The process will help us assess whether we can match you with a remote internship.
In addition, in most cases we will need to restart the placement process and you might be assigned to a new coordinator.
3. How much does participating on OIR cost?
The Onward Israel Remote program costs $100 USD.
Upon completion of all the program requirements you will receive a $100 credit for a future Onward Israel program.
This fee is refundable if you don’t receive a remote internship placement. The conditions under which this is determined is at Onward Israel’s full discretion.
4. Does participating on the Onward Israel Remote affect my eligibility for coming to Onward Israel in the future?
Participating on the Onward Israel Remote program will not affect your eligibility for coming on future Onward Israel programs.
5. How long do I have to decide if I want to apply for Onward Israel Remote?
We are operating under a short timeline (less than 2 months to finalize the placement), therefore we ask candidates to apply by May 4,2020.
6. What type of internship will be offered through OIR?
Internships for this track will be offered only in fields that are able to accomodate remote projects. Most internships will be offered in the following fields: business development, programming, graphic design, research, architecture , think tanks, marketing, social media. Please note that we can’t guarantee every candidate an internship, as spots are limited.
In some cases we might be able to offer internships in additional fields.
As part of the placement process we encourage our participants to take an active role and research for options and their own as well.
In any case,the final placement is dependent on both the candidate’s experience and the company’s needs.
7. If I was already placed at a company, can I keep my placement for the remote option?
We will do our best to convert the internship you were already matched with so that it can be done remotely. Please keep in mind that we can’t guarantee this, since it depends on the host organization’s needs. In addition you will be required to apply for the Onward Israel Remote program.
8. What are the dates of the program?
The program will run from June 21st, 2020 – August 6th, 2020. During these dates you will need to complete all of your internship requirements as well as attend the online educational activities.
9. What is required of me as a participant on OIR?
As a participant on the Onward Israel Remote program you will be expected to be fully enrolled and engaged in the program. This includes completing and delivering the internship related tasks as outlined by the internship supervisor. Joiningin weekly check in calls and responding to emails.
Attending and participating in the online educational and enrichment sessions.
10. How long will the matching process take place?
Once you have been accepted to the program and pay your program fee, your internship coordinator will start working with you immediately to match you with a remote internship. The process can take a few weeks . The process will start with an internship consultation which among other things will be reviewing your interests, goals and what you can contribute to an Israeli company. After that you will be given a placement suggestion and your coordinator will help set up an interview with the potential placement.
It’s important that you remain flexible and open minded through the process.
11. Can anyone apply for Onward Israel Remote?
Onward Israel Remote is exclusively for those who have been accepted or were currently in the interview process for an Onward Israel summer 2020 program that was cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19. Those who withdrew from such a program due to concerns over COVID-19 on March 15, 2020 or later are also eligible to apply.
12. Is there an education component on Onward Israel Remote? What will it look like?
At the core of Onward Israel’s vision is the opportunity for all participants to engage in a meaningful way with issues and topics connected to personal-professional development, to deepening Israel engagement and fluency, and to Jewish identity and identification.
Onward Israel will offer a variety of on-line activities, all sessions will last for about an hour and will include both presentation and interactive sections.
Following acceptance to the program, participants will be invited to choose those online activities that they will participate in during Onward Israel Remote. Activities will take place at regularly scheduled time slots during the week. The schedule for all activities and their descriptions will be included in the enrichment and education invitation to enroll.
Participants must participate in at least 1 weekly enrichment and education activity for a total of at least 6 activities.
13. Will I be working with the same internship coordinator from before?
The Onward Israel Remote program is a separate program, therefore, you need to apply for this program separately. Once you have been accepted you will begin a new placement process with a new internship coordinator. Your program staff has notes from the process you have done previously, and will use this information to help speed up the process.
14. How many hours a day do I need to work for?
The summer internship will be project based (in some cases it may involve more than one project). Your internship coordinator will work with you and the host organization to create a clear project description (main objectives, measures of success, timeline, etc.).
The amount of work for the whole program is estimated to be about 120 hours (an average of 15-20 hours per week).
In a case where a company requires more than 120 hours, this will need to be agreed upon by all parties in writing (the company, the intern and the internship coordinator).
In any case, the participant still needs to follow the educational requirements of the program
15. How do I sign up for the education/enrichment sessions?
Following acceptance to the program, participants will receive an email invitation to choose those online activities that they will participate in during Onward Israel Remote. Activities will take place at regularly scheduled time slots during the week. The schedule for all activities and their descriptions will be included in the enrichment and education invitation to enroll.
16. Can I transfer the money I already paid towards the Onward Israel Remote Fee?
It is not possible to transfer the money you already paid for the program that was cancelled towards the Onward Israel Remote track. As these are separate programs and separate processes.
The money you paid for the program that was cancelled will be refunded to you in 4-6 weeks.