Connect with our Student Ambassadors to get the Inside Perspective
There’s no one who can better tell you what life will be like as a Sofaer student than those living it. From the application process, to the academic work load, to living in Tel Aviv, Sofaer’s Student Ambassadors are excited to share with you their experiences and provide answers to your questions. Ambassadors are available to correspond via email, chat over phone or Skype, or meet over coffee at the university. Applicants are also invited to sit in on a Sofaer class. Those interested are invited to fill in our Class Visit Request Form.
Please note that the Sofaer program is intensive and students’ time will be limited. Applicants are asked to honor any commitment made with a Student Ambassador as well as remain mindful of their time.
Sofaer’s 2012 Student Ambassadors
We invite you to introduce yourself via email.
Name: Michelle Esther Appelbaum
Connect with Michelle
Home city, country: Los Angeles, US/Haifa, Israel
Before Sofaer: MA (Educational Psychology – Development, Learning & Instruction) from California State University, Northridge
As my MBA adventure continues, it becomes more and more apparent to me that I am in the right place – the opportunities are thrilling, the courses are challenging, and the options are endless. Building on my psychology background, I am interested in pursuing organizational development, organizational behavior, behavioral economics, organizational psychology throughout my studies. After graduation I want to pursue a career in Business Development, Marketing and Strategy, or Organizational Consulting.
Name: Sarith Auslaender
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Home city, country: Frankfurt, Germany
Before Sofaer: Relationship Manager, Bank Leumi; B.A. Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya
After moving to Israel seven years ago, I completed my undergrad studies at the IDC. Having worked at Bank Leumi for a couple of years, I felt it was the right time to pursue my MBA. Since I wanted to stay in Israel, Tel Aviv University was my first choice! Completing my studies within only one year in a totally international environment was an important factor in deciding on a program. Having the opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world and learn from their experiences, will certainly help me in my future career. I can say I made the right choice in joining the family of the Sofaer International MBA. Having previously worked in Finance I am planning to change my career path in the direction of Business Development.
Name: Nikki Avershal
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Home city, country: Philadelphia, USA
Before Sofaer: Co-Founder, Marketing Director Puzzle Israel; B.A. in Political Science, University of Pittsburgh
I decided to pursue an MBA because I wanted to learn more about effective management and desired the basic skill sets required for the business world (accounting, economics, statistics, etc.) I also felt that Israel, as the “Start Up Nation” was a great place to learn entrepreneurship and innovation and apply those skills to my own travel and tourism company. I plan on staying in Israel doing Market Research and/or Analysis for an International company, while growing my own business.
Name: Brandon Berish
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Home city, country: Montreal, Canada
Before Sofaer: Manager, Personal Financial Services TD Bank Financial Group; B.A. in Sociology, Concordia University
I had reached a point in my career where the logical next step to get ahead and accomplish more with my life was to pursue an MBA. I believe an MBA is the perfect tool to help me discover my strengths and where I want life to take me next. There were several factors that led to my decision to enroll in the Sofaer International MBA Program. I chose Tel Aviv University due to its name being internationally recognized and for the fact that the Sofaer Program is AACSB accredited. I did not want to be out of the job market for more than a year, and Sofaer’s intensive one-year program fit that requirement. I knew I wanted to experience living abroad and I realized that given my plans for the future, having the chance to live in Tel Aviv for a year would be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Though I have fallen in love with Israel, and while I do not necessarily anticipate moving back to Montreal, (come experience one of our winters and you’ll understand why!) upon graduating I expect to find myself living in either Canada or the USA working in an industry that allows me to further develop the skills I will have mastered when I successfully complete my MBA. I am particularly interested in Finance, Business Development, and Tourism & Entertainment. Alongside my day-to-day studies, I am busy networking and working with my Professional Development Advisor to help me reach my goals.
Name: Emanuel Goldfein
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Home city, country: Munich, Germany
Before Sofaer: Apple Sales Department, Team Leader Germany, Spain, Austria and Switzerland; B.S. Business Administration, Barcelona Business School, Barcelona, Spain
For the previous five years I lived in Barcelona where I studied Business Administration and worked at the Apple Online Store in middle management. There were several reasons to continue my studies and lead me towards an MBA: Professionally, after reaching certain levels in management at Apple, I understood that an MBA is considered a requirement for building the fundamental knowledge in decision making, analysis and strategic development that upper-level managers need. Personally, it was always my dream to move to Israel. I see here the ideal opportunity to build my future with friends and family. When deciding between Israeli MBA programs, Tel Aviv University and its Sofaer MBA was my first choice, offering the highest academic level in the country and enjoying also a fine reputation abroad.
Name: Avi Kletzel
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Home city, country: Mexico City, Mexico
Before Sofaer: Entertainment Manager, The Walt Disney Company, USA; BS Sport & Recreation Management, BA Film & Media Arts, Temple University
After four solid years in the workforce, including management experience, I began to feel it was time to take my career to the next level. I chose to pursue an MBA program as a way to further expand my understanding and skills in the business world. As a new immigrant to Israel, I was also looking for a solid way to expand my network in order to be able to do business with the world from Israel. Sofaer seemed to be just that and much more. Its dynamic academics and Professional Development Curriculum attracted me, especially since it’s a part of the world renowned Tel Aviv University. At first, I was afraid that I wouldn’t find what was advertised and hence, what I’ve been looking for. So far, my expectations have been surpassed through wonderful individualized attention and a challenging curriculum that is already expanding my horizons! After graduation I’m looking at staying in the Entertainment Business Industry and be based in Israel.
Name: Yael Kochman
Connect with Yael
Home Country: Israel
Before Sofaer: COO at Dialect LTD; B.A. in Communication and Social Studies, Tel Aviv University
I wanted to pursue an MBA because I felt that although I was gaining professional experience through my career (I was working and developing my own business on the side) I lacked the knowledge of the language of business. I chose to take the Sofaer program because I felt that the academic environment, the connections, and the academic curriculum were more complementary to my needs. My main concern was the intensity of the program, as I am both am mother and a businesswoman. I must say, it is as hard as I expected – but not harder! After I graduate I plan to keep developing my business while pursuing an executive position in a global organization in the fields of marketing or operations.
Name: Amit Koren
Connect with Amit
Home city, country: Israel
Before Sofaer: Brand Manger, Syber Fashion and Marketing; B.A. in Media and Communication, The College of Managment (Israel)
I decided to pursue my MBA in an international program, because I wanted to know more about the field, but also wanted to stand out. I was concerned that learning in English would be hard, when in fact I got used to it much more quickly than I thought I would! I have many ideas and directions that I beleive this degree will help me achieve, but I do know that I want to stay in the fashion buisness.
Name: Alina Kovaleivch
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Home city, country: Moscow, Russia
Before Sofaer: Export-Import Manager; MA in Marketing, The State University of Management (Moscow)
After running my own import/export business in China for five years, I wanted to change my career direction. I decided to make a break and return to study in a program that could build my professional skill-sets while helping me figure out my next professional career. As of right now, I am particularly drawn to the fields of Internet and mobile applications, financial investments and consulting. I’m looking forward to seeing where this year takes me and am grateful for the amount of exposure we get to different career paths as students in the Sofaer program.
Name: Donna Maher
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Home city, country: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Before Sofaer: Property Manager at Remart Properties; B.A. in Economics with a specialization in International Studies, University of California, Irvine
Before I began my MBA at Tel Aviv University, I was working in Property Management for several years at a family business called Remart Properties. I decided to leave my job to obtain my MBA in order to learn the key tools necessary to effectively manage a business. More specifically, I chose the Sofaer program because I was attracted to the immense diversity within the classroom and to the accessibility to an international network. I was also drawn to the weekly career workshops and the location in Tel Aviv. The shorter time-frame of the degree was another characteristic of the program that I liked, but I was also concerned that it would be difficult to keep up with. I found that I am able to manage the work load, especially with the support from my professors and classmates! After graduation, I plan to return to LA and obtain more work experience either in Real Estate sales or in marketing. My long-term goal involves opening my own real estate development firm.
Name: Jared Miller
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Home city, country: Tampa, USA/Haifa, Israel
Before Sofaer: International Project Director at Stephen Gould Corporation; B.S. in Finance, BA International Business
I chose to pursue an MBA because even though I had work experience, I knew that to gain the breadth of knowledge in all aspects of business that I wanted, I needed an MBA. I specifically chose Sofaer because of its mix of international students and it’s connection to world-class faculties. Initially I was slightly concerned that coming from a business background already, I would not get as much out of the MBA as I’d have liked. One month into the Sofaer program, I’m astonished how much I’m learning, even in subjects I thought I knew! With the skills I learn at Sofaer, I plan on moving into venture capital and general entrepreneurship.
Name: Jaime Nacach
Connect with Jaime
Home city, country: Mexico City, Mexico/ San Diego, CA
Before Sofaer: Marketing Director at MK Digital Direct, Inc, Web/Graphic Designer and Marketing Consultant at Balensi’s Institute & Freelance Web/Graphic Designer; B.S. in Business Administration, Emphasis in Information Systems, San Diego State University
I wanted to advance my career and decided to pursue an MBA. I chose the Sofaer International MBA because I believe in the prestige of Tel Aviv University, it is the only school in Israel that has the internationally recognized AACSB accreditation and I was awarded a scholarship that greatly helped me finance my studies, and because I wanted to experience real life in Tel Aviv and in Israel. Upon completion of my MBA, I hope to stay in Israel for a year or two in order to gain professional work experience. My goal is to work at a high-tech company abroad which has offices in Israel, or work at an Israeli start-up and help it grow with my knowledge and experience. In the long run I’d like develop my own business in the high-tech and mobile applications market. Highlights so far: Sofaer’s Career Management Class and StarTAU – Tel Aviv University’s Entrepreneurial Club.
Name: Dr. Vasudheva Reddy, PhD
Connect with Vasudheva
Home city, country: Tirupati, India
Before Sofaer: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel; PhD in Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Free University, Berlin, Germany
Having research experience in different fields from biotechnology, Neuroscience to Oncology, I had an ability to quickly learn the field and metamorphose. Life science Research, being a virgin zone, is a challenge to survive and excel and requires great ability to meticulously plan, pursue and achieve with 100% determination and passion. To combine these qualities which are best suited for business strategic policy planning and negotiation, I decided to enroll in Sofaer International MBA in the Startup Nation, Israel. I strongly believe the program will provide me with the necessary tools to achieve this. I had apprehensions on being back to a regular school and going through the intensive curriculum in the subjects unknown to me. However, once the course started, I realized that the help of my classmates and the group studies is of great value to bring me through these sessions
Name: Romy Ribitzky
Connect with Romy
Home city, country: New York, USA
Before Sofaer: Associate Editor, Portfolio.com, an American City Business Journals property; B.A. in English, Emory University
As a busy editor in New York City, taking a year out of my life wasn’t an easy decision. But I knew that to fulfill future pursuits, I had to get an MBA. I wanted a program that matched the intensity I was already used to in my daily life, but that also gave me a chance to reconnect with my Israeli roots. The Sofaer International MBA had the elements I was looking for and it hasn’t disappointed. The pace is rigorous for sure–especially since I kept my job! But with great support from classmates and admin I’m making it work and even managing to take advantage of living in Tel Aviv. This is one amazing adventure and one you won’t regret taking. I hope to go on to a marketing career after graduation. After nearly a decade in journalism and five years in retail management, the skills I’ve developed on the job along with the learnings from Sofaer will make me a unique candidate in today’s competitive environment. I plan to be based in the United States but travel extensively throughout the world serving multiple clients.
Name: Dan Saguy, Ll.b.
Connect with Dan
Home country: Israel
Before Sofaer: Manager of Events Division, Benefit Group; Ll.b. Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University
I’m a bright and innovative professional with thorough organizational experience and excellent interpersonal skills, looking to base my knowledge in business and pursue a leading management position. I was drawn to the Sofaer program given its international nature, excellent credentials and focused one-year program.
Name: Devorah Serkin
Connect with Devorah
Home city, country: New York, NY / Tel Aviv, Israel
Before Sofaer: Director of Young Leadership at Save a Child’s Heart; B.A. in History and Jewish Studies, Binghamton University
After working the NGO world and accomplishing my goal in that arena I reached a point in my career where I was unsure of the direction I wanted take. Through guidance of mentors and long consideration I came to the conclusion that I needed to return to study. What led me to the MBA was the desire to develop skills that I could not and would not gain in the NGO world, such as quantitative skills that would expand the way I think and fill the gaps in my education. What particularly drew me to Sofaer was the MBA Cares program. After graduation I plan on staying in Israel. I will likely leave the NGO world for a few years while I put my new skills to use and develop them further. I am most interested in the fields of international development and CSR. I am thinking about relationship management and project management as possible roles.
Name: Adina Test
Connect with Adina
Home city, country: San Francisco, CA USA
Before Sofaer: Group Manager, Fisher Investments; B.A. in Finance, Santa Clara University
After working at a wealth management firm in the Bay Area for five years, I decided to come to Israel to learn more about the country and myself. One year later, I decided to live in Israel and began exploring potential opportunities to help me continue to pursue my professional and personal goals. I was looking for an opportunity that would optimally position me in the Israeli business world. I wanted a blend of experience, networking, and education. The Sofaer MBA was an easy choice. The program provides an excellent combination of the personal and professional development that I was looking for. I also was very excited about the possibility to earn an MBA in one year. This was a great choice for me because I could continue my education without sacrificing two years work experience. Post program my goal is to begin my career in Israel and continue my pursuit of management. I am interested in the fields of Human Resources, Consulting, and Business development. I am looking forward to a great rest of the year!
Name: Shai Zamir
Connect with Shai
Home country: Israel
Before Sofaer: Projects Department Manager at the ISEF Foundation; B.A. in Government & Society, Tel Aviv Yaffo Academic College
After five years in the non-profit management industry I decided to shift my career into the business world. The Sofaer International MBA seemed like a great platform for me to achieve this goal.
Name: Muhammad Zidani
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Home city, country: Nazareth, Israel
Before Sofaer: Co-Founder & co-manager, M.D.A.B. Zidani Projects Ltd ; B.A. in Accounting & Economics, The Hebrew University
My background lies in economics, accounting, and finance (I practiced with KPMG for three years) and in teaching (I have extensive experience tutoring and working with groups). These two diverse backgrounds gave me the opportunity to sharpen my interpersonal skills – I love working with people – while building a strong interest in entrepreneurship. There were two main reasons why I wanted to pursue an MBA. 1) To sharpen my managerial skills and 2) to continue onto a PhD so I can pursue teaching in higher education. I chose the Sofaer program because it is one of the most practical-oriented programs in Israel and because it’s run in in English (which I think is a crucial skill for me to have if I am going to be a first-class manager).
