Q: What is Year Course Olami? 
A: Olami is an exciting new programme offered to all Year Course participants. There are two options for FZY Olami chanichim. Chanichim can either explore the fascinating concept of “Lost Jewish Communities” or look at “Israel, Africa and the Jews” through four one-week visits to different countries around in the world. The Lost Jewish Communities track will visit Portugal, Uganda, South Africa, and India, whilst the Israel, Africa and the Jews track will visit Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia. The goal of Olami is to visit with four different exotic groups in the world with ties to the Jewish people and see how they fit into the Jewish mosaic and consider their connection to Israel and Zionism. 

Q: How many participants will join Year Course Olami? 
A: Registration will be limited to the first 40 applicants between FZY and Young Judaea who submit a Year Course application and deposit.  A waiting list will be established when we reach our capacity. 

Q: Is Year Course Olami designed for a specific Year Course section? 
A: No. Olami is open to all General Year Course and Shevet. 

Q: How will Olami affect my Year Course experience in Israel? 
A:  The Olami programme is designed to compliment the general Year Course schedule.  The programme will begin in one of the countries one week before the start of Year Course.  Participants will then travel to Israel for the start of the general Year Course programme.  Subsequent trips are spread out throughout the year so that chanichim will miss a maximum of one week during each programme component (Jerusalem Studies, Israel Experience, and Community Volunteering.)  Chanichim will be required to make up missed work and inform volunteer placements of their travel dates. 

Q: Does Olami offer participants additional programming besides the trips? 
A: Yes.  Prior to each trip, students will take part in an Orientation to prepare them educationally and socially for their next journey. 

Q:  Can I choose any of the Israeli Experience options if I participate in Olami?  
A: Yes, however, participants who choose Marva as their Israel Experience option may or may not be able to attend the particular trip scheduled during this period.  Marva is operated by the Israeli army and each participant must individually request permission to leave the base for one week.  The final decision will be made by the Marva programme only weeks before the scheduled trip.  Year Course is unable to provide a discount or refund to any participant who is unable to attend a trip regardless of the reason.   

Q: I’ve already been to one of the countries.  May I skip a trip? 
A: No. The Year Course Olami programme was designed to guide participants through a historical understanding of various groups with ties to the Jewish people and although chanichim may have been to a particular country in the past, they have not experienced it in the same way as on Year Course.  Each trip is integral to the Year Course Olami curriculum and the experiences in each country are interconnected. In addition, through their travels and shared experiences, Year Course Olami chanichim will form a unique group and one absence on a particular trip will affect the overall Year Course Olami experience.

Q: What if I am sick and cannot attend one of the trips? 
A: Year Course Olami participants will travel as a group to each country, led by Year Course staff.  If a participant is ill and can not attend a trip, there will be no way to later travel to the country that was missed.  In addition, Year Course will be unable to provide a refund for any portion of the programme that is missed. 

Q: Will I be able to be Shomer Shabbat and keep kosher while on Olami? 
A:  Yes.  All activities will be Shomer Shabbat and all the food will be kosher.  However due to the exotic locations of some of these sites the food provided may be only vegetarian and/or simple meals.  In addition we will be eating in several locations with the local Jewish community but cannot verify if their local kashrut levels are the same as Western standards. 

Q: Who will accompany the groups?  
A: Senior Year Course staff members working with participants in Israel year-round will travel with the group to each country to serve as educators, tour guides, and chaperones for each trip.  In some locations, local tour guides may be used as well. 

Q: Do I need additional health insurance for this programme? 
A: No.  Year Course includes health insurance for all its participants.  This coverage will extend to Year Course Olami participants during their four trips as well.  The Year Course Information Guide will be mailed to before their departure and provide more details on the matter. 

Q: Do I need vaccinations for the trip to any of the countries? 
A: Yes.  While in Israel, prior to travelling to some countries, participants will receive the appropriate vaccinations recommended by the health authorities (may be in the form of vaccination or pills).  Administration of the vaccinations will be arranged by Year Course at no additional cost to participants. 

Q: I understand that FZY has been operating Year Course in Israel for over 30 years, but does FZY have experience running programmes in other countries? 
A: Yes.  For 13 years FZY has led various summer programmes for teenagers to Europe, including Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic. In addition, for the past three years, Year Course has included a week-long trip to Poland as an optional component of the programme.   

Q: How much does Year Course Olami cost? 
A: The programme cost is £15499.This includes Year Course and the additional Olami programme.  It is recommended that participants bring some additional spending money for souvenirs and free time activities. 

Q: I want to go on Year Course Olami!!!  How do I sign up? 
A: Great! You can sign up by contacting the FZY Year Course Office by clicking here, e-mailing or calling on 020 8201 7775.