"Fell in love with the north": 5,000 students begin studies at new university in Kiryat Shmona

Approximately 5,000 students began the academic year at the new Tel-Hai University in Kiryat Shmona, which gained university status 21 years after a government decision. Three students who moved from central Israel spoke about their motivations and challenges: expensive housing, lack of jobs, and healthcare. The state invested 600 million shekels; the goal is to retain graduates in the region.

Approximately 5,000 students on Tuesday, October 20, began the new academic year at Tel-Hai University in Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee. Tel-Hai College, located near the border with Lebanon, finally received university status — 21 years after the government's decision. Ynet correspondent Yair Kraus met with three students who moved from central Israel to the north. Dvir Fisher, severely wounded in Gaza in 2023, recounted how during the war with Hezbollah in 2026 he had to leave his apartment without a protected room and couch-surf with friends. Ariel Ziegler, also wounded in service, interrupted her studies in bioinformatics, worked on a horse farm, and has now enrolled in psychology. Roni Chechkes moved from Pardes-Hanna to study psychology and lives in Moshav Beit Hillel. The state is investing about 600 million shekels in establishing the university. University President Professor Eliezer Shalev called it the embodiment of the pioneering spirit. One of the main challenges is retaining graduates in the Galilee: currently only 8% stay, with a target of 30%. Students note that expensive housing, lack of medical services, and jobs hinder this. All three say they "fell in love with the north" but have not yet decided whether to stay after their studies.