To any student who is interested in coming to Israel, the first step is to build up the nerve to come! Of course, you may be a little unsure of what you will get out of the experience, but you only live once. Get on a plane here with a good attitude. Congratulations, you have taken the biggest step.

There is so much to say about living in Israel and I want to start by saying that studying at AMHSI and living these 8-weeks in Israel has been the greatest thing I have ever done. Coming to Israel for the first time as a student requires a little bit of preparation but don’t worry, this preparation is so worth it.

At Alexander Muss, we have at least two trips a week and, because all of this history happened in the land that I am in we can visit so many different places, I find this way of learning very interesting.

During my time at Muss I have gone on more tiyuls than I can count on two hands. They have all been great in different ways but one that stands out to me was our Bar Kochba tiyul.

The Tiyulim here at Alexander Muss have been great experiences. So far, my favorite trips have been the Hezekiah’s tunnels, Masada, the Dead Sea, Gilboa, the river walk in the Kineret, and the urban day in Tel Aviv.

The tiyulim (trips) at AMSHI have been, by far, the best days of my life. It’s amazing to be able to say that I learned outside of the physical classroom. In a previous blog, I talked about what I living classroom is and what the benefits of one are. The living classroom idea is something that is so great and which really impacted what my favorite and most memorable trips are. My favorite trips were Gilboa and Kehilla day.

While being on Muss, we have been on many amazing tiyulim. My favorite have been the Hezekiah tunnels, the day in Tzfat, the walk in the Kineret, and Masada.

There are many reasons to study abroad. One of the main reasons and one I have stressed before is Experiential Learning - a different and new form of education. AMHSI puts a huge emphasis on learning through experience, in particular with the Jewish history course.

Back home, my biggest impact for my community will be my ability to talk to others and inform them about people’s views on Israel. I plan to speak at my synagogue, the youth group within my synagogue and the youth group outside of my synagogue to explain the importance of tolerance of others and also the importance of Israel. It is important for others to know that what you read is not always reality.

I truly believe that the best way to impact a community is through words as well as actions, especially through the words of a former student.

Studying abroad is a very unique experience that many students take part in. It is something that benefits kids in many different ways.

On September 17th, I wrote in one of my blogs the one main goal that I had for this trip and it was I quote: “I have always wanted to be someone people can look up to and take a leadership role in different things. Here I have an awesome opportunity to learn how to do just that, I know how much I can and will get out of this program.” My goal, to put it into different words was to become a person who is looked at as a leader.

It is currently my last week in Natick. While it is scary to think that I am leaving my home for four months, the excitement of the journey to come is far greater than any fear I have.

As summer comes to a close and the school year approaches, I have to start preparing for my journey ahead. Just thinking about what I’m going to do without my family for four months is still tough to believe and hard to get my head around. I have never been to Israel so going will hopefully be the first of many other trips to Israel. I’m usually ok with leaving my family so I don’t think I’ll miss them but I am definitely nervous about the things that are unknown to me. Like, how hot is it in Israel? Is Hod HaSharon a big city? Or small like my hometown of Maynard. Do people speak English? Did I pack everything I need?

I cannot believe that I am only 4 days away from going to Israel. I feel so fortunate to have been chosen to go on such a life changing trip. I am so grateful to AMHSI and the Jewish National Fund for sponsoring this program and giving me this enormous opportunity to become a leader and an advocate for Israel. I have so many feelings and emotions about going to a foreign country that I have never been to for 4 and a half months.

It’s not easy to drop your school, your sports, your friends, your home life, and your comfort zone for 18 weeks. I don’t know what my friend dynamic will be when I get home, I don’t know if my coach will bench me because I’ve been gone, and I don’t know who I will be when I return. I’m putting my faith into AMHSI and JNF for the next 18 weeks. So many aspects of my life are going to be out of my control so soon, and it’s so scary to leave my home life and make that leap, but I’ve also been blessed to even have the opportunity to take this leap.

It’s almost been one week in Israel. Already, I have made amazing friendships, and had experiences I will never forget. While looking back at the amazing journey that I have had is great, this early in the trip, it is more important to look forward. What are my goals for this upcoming trip? Who will I become? How will my life be different once I return home?

Just being here for less than a week has already affected me so much. I still have 4 more months here, and I’m already thinking about when I can leave home again and come back to Israel (Sorry parents!). Tonight is our first Shabbat here, and I’m excited to experience it with my new friends. I’m so excited for these next four months.

My first week in Israel has been 7 days of emotion and excitement. I have had a great time meeting new people and exploring the town of Hod HaSharon.