Most of the 27 students living in the trailer-houses in Ben-Shemen are studying in the preparatory program in Bar-Ilan University, while others are already pursuing degrees there. The representatives from the Weinberg Foundation heard from the students about the importance of the preparatory program. The program affords the students an opportunity to improve their grades and receive the knowledge they need to pursue higher education in an academic institution.

The students are granted comfortable residences, meals, and transportation to the university. In exchange, they are required to take on responsibilities such as helping the schoolchildren at the dormitory in the village. All the students told their stories in fluent English, describing their lives in Ben-Shemen and their relationship to the students they have adopted. They emphasized that thanks to the conditions in Ben-Shemen and the assistance they receive from the Jewish Agency, they are able to achieve in their studies and obtain their desired degrees.

All the representatives from the Weinberg Foundation were very impressed by the students' high standards, intelligence, communication skills and motivation. One of them promised that upon his return to the United States he will tell his friend, the largest donor to Bar-Ilan University, of his positive impression of the Ethiopian students.