This picture is of the Old City of Jerusalem built into what it is during the times of Kings David & Solomon. We learned about the history of modern Israel and the song Yerushalayim Shel Zahav.

Why study abroad? That’s a question I contemplated for a while before finally deciding on a whim to apply for AMHSI. Now that I have truly experienced school in a whole new county, I can’t imagine a single reason not to drop everything and go abroad.

Even though teens decide to come and study abroad for many different reasons, I think these 3 reasons best fit. Traveling/studying abroad can connect you to the culture/heritage in the land you’re in, you can meet new people/find new interests, and you have a sense of independence.

One of my favorite stories of tikkun olam involves one of the greatest rabbis of the middle ages, Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg. Rabbi Meir lived in the area of Ashkenaz (Franco-Germany) during a dark period of persecutions during the 13th century. At last he found life as a Jew untenable there, and he uprooted his family to attempt the long and dangerous journey to the Land of Israel. He did not make it far. Rabbi Meir was recognized by an apostate Jew was traveling with a church official. Denounced and arrested, he was held in a formidable fortress.

The light from the Channukah candles serves to remind those who see it of the miracle that occurred during the 2nd Temple period when the Macabees fought and defeated the Seleucid Greek Empire. The smaller and weaker Macabee forces defeated the mighty and well-armed Seleucid soldiers. Upon entering the Beit Hamikdash/Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews cleaned up the Temple and attempted to reinstate the Temple service. They found only one cruse of oil to light the Menorah, enough for just one day. It would take 8 days to produce pure oil under the watch of the Kohen Gadol/High Priest. As the story continues, Gd performed a miracle and the single cruse of oil lasted for eight days.

At the City of David, as I lead my students down a dark underground passageway through the streets of ancient Jerusalem, we often stop to marvel at the fact that the lessons of our forefathers are as relevant today as ever. One of the most important messages that can be taken away from this visit, one that is undoubtedly on all of our minds as November rolls around, is the importance of giving thanks.

About 2,500 years ago the leaders of the Jewish community stood in Jerusalem, waiting anxiously for Ezra the scribe to explain to them the words of the Torah. The Torah was complicated, long, and not every Jew had the ability to read. The result was confusion, a misunderstanding of Judaism, and an un-united Jewish community.

As summer turns to fall and we prepare for the new school year at Alexander Muss High School in Israel, my mind always turns to lesson planning and my goals for the new year. One of the first questions I ask my students the very first day is: “Where should we begin our study of Jewish history?” Does Judaism start with creation? With Abraham? With Moses and the 10 commandments? All of these answers are valid. I choose to start my year with Abraham.

The reason I decided to study abroad was that I thought it would be extremely fun to travel halfway across the globe. Even though it’s sad leaving your friends and family I knew it was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to educate myself on Judaism and continue my general studies in Israel. I found out about this program through my Jewish summer camp, someone came and talked about AMHSI and they were so passionate about it and made it sound so fun so then I went home and started the paperwork by myself and filled my mom in at the last moment so she couldn’t say no.

Studying abroad is an adventure of self-responsibility. Every aspect of the experience requires you to be responsible for yourself because you are given a lot of freedom. Basic routine things like studying, brushing your teeth, and getting enough to eat are entirely up to you because when you’re studying abroad your parents aren’t there to remind you to do even these basic tasks. It is really easy to not study. Deadlines can easily be forgotten or ignored so you have to keep on top of all of your classes without reminders. Also, all of your friends are just outside the door hanging out and watching TV and it takes a lot of willpower to not go fishing for distraction. Beyond that, people here often study out in the Moadon (common room) where there are many distractions. I personally have a hard time focusing when there are conversations and the TV around me so I have to find a quiet place and fight the urge to go join my friends. This was something I learned very quickly and now, I know myself better.

Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience. Here at AMHSI, we have well informed and experienced guides who know all the best sites to visit, when the best times to go are, and endless information about each site. You won’t have half as good as an experience if you go by yourself because you don’t have the proper knowledge and guidance to make the best out of your time in Israel.

Being in Israel for about 3 ½ months in a study abroad program has changed my views on school in general. School in Israel isn’t like normal school. To start off, your classes are spread out in the day so you have a lot of breaks. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel lie a school day. We also have tiyuls. Tiyuls are field trips that we go on and each tiyul is following what we’re learning. We go to areas where history happened and learn. Being abroad takes big responsibility. You aren’t living with you’re parents to tell you what to do and what not to do so you have to learn how to make decisions for yourself.

My generation is fortunate to live in an era when travel is convenient and much more affordable. Nowadays, especially in relatively privileged communities, it is not uncommon for teenagers to go on vacation with their families and see vast swaths of the world. As pleasant as these trips may be, they are seldom long enough to offer immersion in local culture.

There were many factors that contributed to me wanting to study abroad. First of all, I knew it was going to make me way more independent on so many levels. I had been away from home before when I was in sleep away camp but I didn’t have to be responsible for myself and my grades. Knowing that I knew that coming here would give me a preview of what college would be like.

Here’s a question, why should you study abroad? Or just staying in the same school, with the same friends, with the same sets of experiences as everyone else in their town. Or should you consider spending a few weeks, at least, in a different country to experience a different culture, make new friends, making connections with different countries, and becoming a student of the international community.

Studying abroad means to me, leaving home and going to a different country or continent to study and learn about something you are interested. Studying abroad means you are comfortable with stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. That could be meeting new people, trying new food, learning a new language, no matter what it is something that you think could benefit you in your lifetime. Something that you will always remember and be able to tell stories about what you did and smile.

Studying abroad is one of the most important experiences and student can have. Nowadays, the modern education system in the US seems to be interested in churning out identical, submissive students who listen to instructions unconditionally and are punished for thinking outside of the box. However, this conflicts with what colleges are looking for from students. Creativity and motivation to become something more are what seem to be valued in every path past the high school classroom. So where does a student get these skills? From my experience studying abroad I have developed myself as a student and a person. I've learned to assert myself and find ways to manage my time. Let me explain.

First of all, it’s a great way to meet new people. I can definitely say that the people I have met in this program I will certainly never forget. They have made a lasting impact on my life and I have learned so much from them. I know that even after this program is over I will always keep in contact with them. Back home I sometimes struggle to make good friends quickly in new situations, but here that all changed. Everyone I met here was so kind and friendly and there was always an instant connection.

Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity and anybody who has the chance to should. The last three and a half months have been amazing for me and with two and a half weeks I still have so much to look forward to. At Alexander Muss I have experienced so much and learned so much about my people and my homeland.

In my expectations for Poland, everyone told me to be prepared for a really emotional week full of tears and sadness. I thought that the second we visited a camp I would be bawling. To my surprise, I didn’t have the reaction I thought I would. I didn’t cry at every sad or gloomy site. Some things affecting me more than others and some of them were very surprising.