Every Story Matters: Personalized Support for Reservist Students

When Amir, an engineering student, faced weeks confined to a hospital bed after being injured during his prolonged military reserve duty, he feared his academic journey had reached an impasse. Recognizing Amir's unique needs, college representatives personally visited him, creating an individually tailored study and emotional support plan that enabled Amir not only to catch up academically but to thrive.

Afeka operates under the conviction that every student's experience is distinct, necessitating equally unique support strategies, and that general solutions don't always suffice—sometimes the support needs to be as unique as the challenge itself.

This personalized commitment has extended beyond Amir's story.  Tomer, another student, nearly lost an entire academic year due to extended reserve service of over 200 days and intense personal challenges. Thanks to a carefully customized study plan and targeted academic adjustments, Tomer is set to graduate in the upcoming semester—a remarkable achievement considering the circumstances.

Noa, severely impacted by an extended military service without clear relief, required more than standard accommodations. After building her a customized class schedule, possible due to recurring courses subsidized by the AsOne Emergency Fund, that considered her limited availability, she was able to minimize academic gaps. Similarly, for Neta, who balanced intensive officer duties alongside her studies while simultaneously planning her wedding, Afeka created solutions beyond her initial eligibility, reflecting genuine responsiveness to her distinct needs.

Solutions are not solely reactive. There are also structured, well-defined accommodations for student groups facing similar challenges—whether reservists, displaced students, those impacted directly by conflict or even partners who are parents to children under the age of 13. Regular measures, like flexible scheduling, extended deadlines, recorded lectures, exam adjustments, and emotional support, form a robust safety net to maintain academic continuity and emotional stability for groups impacted similarly.

This holistic, compassionate approach continues evolving, always placing individual student experiences at its core. Michal from the Dean’s office notes, "Our goal is to continuously listen, adapt, and evolve—ensuring every student receives precisely the support they need to thrive."

*All student names in this article have been changed to protect privacy.