After a week has passed since I have embarked on this adventure, I have already experienced changes in myself. In all terms, maturity, for example, I feel as if I have already been able to develop myself and grow through my short time thus far at Alexander Muss High School In Israel Summer Program.

Before I even got to Israel, there were goals that I knew I wanted to meet and now that I am actually in the land of the chosen people, I have even more goals that I now want to accomplish. Before I got here, I knew I wanted to become more open to trying new things with new people. I knew that in order for me to achieve this I would have to step out of my comfort zone and be more willing to do things I had never done before.

This location was the well in which women would go to get water in order to in their village. This serves as drink, one of the four main necessities for new settlers, along with dine, defense, and drive. This well also served as a meeting place in which men often found their wives.

I have so many high expectations for this trip. I don’t know much but I expect to learn about the history, culture, lifestyle, and food on this trip. I hope to learn how people live in a different country.

As someone who has never really had the experience of such a long summer camp, applying to Alexander Muss was a scary decision although I know it is one I won’t regret. Despite the fact that I travel regularly to Israel, I still feel that this trip will open my eyes to a new aspect of the country.

I am so excited to embark on this once in a lifetime opportunity. I am filled with thrill and anticipation as the day comes closer and closer and closer. Of course, thousands of questions are also swimming through my mind, such as “Will I enjoy myself?” “Will I learn something new about myself?” “Will I learn something new about Israel?” “Will I be happy about the decision I made on how to spend my summer?”

Anticipation. It’s my overwhelming emotion right now. Of course there is fear and maybe a little anxiety, but that’s usually expected. Right? I leave for six-weeks in t-minus 12 days. I can’t even fathom how excited I am. I can’t wait to experience everything Israel has to offer.

This was such a fun tiyul! On Tuesday, the first day of the tiyul, we started the day by driving to Tel Facher and learned about the amazing Eli Kohen. We learned about how much of an inspiration and incredible person Eli was.

This photo was taken at a kibbutz while we were learning about the history of conflict in the Golan. This was maybe my favorite tiyul. Going on the hike the next day was such a great experience that reminded me of how beautiful Eretz Israel can be. I really admire the north due to its incredible beauty.

We spent the day in Tel Aviv learning about the history of the city. In the 2nd Aliyah period, two men came to Yafo and decided to build a Jewish city. Aharon Chelouche had the money and Shimon Rokach had the ideas.

This picture was taken on 4/11/19 at kfar hanokdim of the camel I rode there. We had a very interesting tiyul in the Negev desert that lasted over three days. The first thing we did was we visited Ben Gurion’s desert home in Sde Boker. We learned a little about him and we also learned about the importance of the Negev Desert.

This photo was taken at the bus station that looked run down and abandoned in Tel Aviv. This tiyul was interesting to me because it gave me a new perspective of Israel. We learned both about modern Israeli identity issues. We also learned about the situation in Israel with refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers.

This picture was taken on 4/3/19 at Rose Haniqra. Today we started the tiyul day off by having class at the beach near Atlit. There, we learned about how the Jews had a struggle because David Ben Gurion said: “We will fight the white paper as if there is no Hitler, and we will fight Hitler as if there is no white paper”.

HSI was not what I expected in the slightest, and changed me in ways I never would have imagined. But the surprises and challenges the trip brought me have altered my outlook on life forever. I am so thankful I got to achieve and create goals with such amazing people in such a special place. The past two months in Israel have carved a home in my heart. Israel will always be the place I can feel united, connected to my roots, and at home. .

Living in Israel for two months has changed my life for the better, and it is so difficult to think that I will be leaving so shortly. I could not be happier with the knowledge and experiences that Muss has given me–I have been given the opportunity to form my own connection with new people and most importantly, Israel. This experience has become better by each day. I came here with friends and am now leaving with a family. I’ve fallen in love with the culture of Israel. I will leave with my eyes opened, my mind expanded and my heart bigger.

I can successfully say that I achieved all of my goals and more! The goals I set for myself was that I would manage my time more efficiently, be more adventurous, and keep a positive attitude. However, I feel as though I reached other goals such as gaining independence and growing up.

After reflecting on my goals, I have definitely met close to all of them and I am so sad that I have to go home in a few days. This trip has truly changed my outlook on the world and I appreciate my surroundings much more. Many people could stand on the historical sites we’ve visited and find no meaning, but after learning about the history, I feel such a connection to the land of Israel. These eight weeks have gone by way too quickly, but I know that I will be back soon!

Alexander Muss High School is a time for you to achieve new goals and set new standards for yourself. When I first started the program, I set goals for myself, some easy and some hard. The goals I set for myself were made to change me into a different and better person, in the sense of here at AMHSI.

It is insane how fast these 8 weeks have gone by, and unbelievable that I am already reflecting o the goals I made for myself in the first weeks. My first academic goal was to not procrastinate, and be able to take time to do my school work, even though there was always something else I could be doing that was more fun. Although this has been difficult, I definitely believe I achieved this goal. When I have school work to get done, I find a quiet place on campus, and get the work done. This always pays off, because it allows me to spend time with friends later, and not feel rushed and stressed to get the work done. My next academic goal was to participate in Jewish Studies class more. I can say this goal has been without a doubt achieved.

Going into this program I didn't know what to expect. Would I make friends, enjoy the CORE class, or even just enjoy living on my own. Closing in on the end of the program, I can say that everything that I wanted to happen happened. Every single one of the goals that I set for myself at the beginning of the program has been achieved.