After spending a good amount of time here in Israel, I have noticed that there are many cultural differences and similarities between Americans and Israelis.

After spending a good amount of time here in Israel, I have noticed that there are many cultural differences and similarities between Americans and Israelis. There are many little cultural observations that once you spend time in the country you start to notice, like the language barrier talking between English and Hebrew. To start off with cultural differences, the way Israelis interact with each other is different than the way Americans interact and talk with each other. When I say different, Israelis can be arrogant and aggressive. There are many times where I have been walking into town with my friends and an Israeli has aggressively told us to move out the way or that we were doing something wrong. So many of the Israelis I have met are loving, funny and want to get to know you, but much of the time spent outside the campus in Hod Hasharon and all over Israel, Israelis will be aggressive with words, aggressive on the roads and pushy. In Israel, the people aren't shy and aren't afraid to tell you how it is. In American culture, although many Americans can be rude, it is in a different type of way. Another cultural difference is the religion aspect. In Israel, many people are Jewish, Arab, Muslim and Christian with other cultures also being included. Cities and streets in Israel can either have a mix of different religions, or some neighborhoods are mostly Jewish or mostly Arab. In Israel, Shabbat is also very important to the country. I’ve noticed that on Friday afternoons, shops and markets start to wind down and close for Shabbat. In America, stores and businesses don't close for Shabbat, and public transportation also keeps running. I think that is a really interesting observation, experiencing the way Israel observes Shabbat compared to the people in America. The last difference that I find very interesting and new is that here in Israel, lunch is their biggest meal of the day whereas in America, dinner is the biggest meal. During lunch, we are given a meal more filling, a meal for lunch here is a meal for dinner in the states. I've also noticed that for me and the places I went to eat, the food was prepared more fresh with less fast food options. Although there are many differences, kids and teens here still do the same day to day activities that everyone would do back in America. We all go to the mall, go to school and hang out with friends. I am so excited to continue to live here and learn the cultural aspects here in Israel.