Tel-Hai Magazine 2022

International exchange and collaboration Tel-Hai hosts students, research fellows, and specialists from overseas, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic

“For me, participating in this excavation and finding fishhooks and weights used by people several thousand years ago was exciting. Not only have I learned more about the artifacts, but I’ve also improved my soft skills, especially commu nication and organization, and through living on kibbutz Lehavot Habashan, I also had the op portunity to experience Israeli hospitality and friendship. I’m immensely grateful for this oppor tunity and would definitely recommend taking part in any such internship!” Researchers and students from all over the world find Tel-Hai College and the Upper Galilee an exciting place to conduct research In addition to hosting international stu dents, we are proud to have welcomed specialists from overseas for longer peri ods. In November 2021, we welcomed Daniela Zinmeisster, a guest researcher and zoologist specializing in animal cog nition and behavioral ecology. Daniela is currently working with Dr. Yoni Vort man, at the Hula-lake Research Center. Originally from Germany, Daniela is currently completing her Ph.D., and has joined Dr. Vortman as part of a 3-year study on the symbiotic magnetic-sensing hypothesis. The hypothesis suggests that

The COVID-19 pandemic has made student exchange much harder, but Tel Hai’s International Academic Affairs Unit has risen to the challenge. In 2021, the unit both welcomed international students and specialists, and arranged various overseas study options for Israeli students. Beyond visa applications and assisting international students during their mandatory quarantine on arrival, the unit prepared up-to-date information and guidelines to help them negotiate the constantly changing health regulations. Several of the international students and research fellows share their experiences at Tel-Hai: Anna-Marie Ourodová is a master’s stu dent from the University of Hradec Kralove, in the Czech Republic. An na-Marie spent seven weeks of her re search internship at Tel- Hai, during the summer of 2021, under the guidance of Prof. Gonen Sharon, who heads the mas ter’s program in Galilee Studies, and is also Head of the Prehistory Laboratory at the college. Anna-Marie’s internship included participating in an archeologi cal excavation at the Dureijat site, on the banks of the Jordan River. Anna-Marie shares her experience:

the navigation system of birds, and other animals, is affected by magnetic- sensing bacteria in their bodies; in the case of birds, these bacteria inhabit their guts. Responsible for conducting behavioral experiments, Daniela is condition-train ing birds to a magnetic stimulus. Daniela talks about her experience at Tel-Hai: “During my visa application process, and also after my arrival, Tel Hai’s management team created a welcoming, family atmosphere that has provided me with a supportive network, offering guidance and assistance with all kinds of needs. On the research front, the team I’m working with is a great combination: it’s friendly, supportive, encouraging, well-managed, and it also offers diversity, flexibility and freedom.” About the location, Daniela continues that “the Hula Valley is one of the main stop over sites in the world for migrating birds and its diverse habitats provide a unique place for con ducting research about wildlife, behavior and ecology. I’m very grateful for this opportunity - and I’m looking forward to three interesting and exciting years here!” Visiting Research Fellow, Talia Katz, a Ph.D. student from Johns Hopkins Uni versity, says her stay in Israel, at Tel-Hai College has helped her to make progress

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