Welcome to your all inclusive, exotic, and refreshing “how to” guide for your time in Israel.

Welcome to your all inclusive, exotic, and refreshing “how to” guide for your time in Israel. I will be your host today, Gabrielle Rose Leon. In this “How to” guide, you will hopefully learn not only about the program itself, but also about how to best use your time here at AMSHI. I will be using the acronym S.T.A.L.L. to guide this “how to”. And now, without further adieu, here is my guide for Israel. 

S: Sleep. On this trip, the one thing you need more than good shawarma is sleep. Everyday, but especially on Tiyul days, sleep is crucial. Days on Muss are exhausting yet rewarding, and you’ll want to have as much energy as possible to get through the day. I recommend sleeping on the bus on Tiyul days or taking the time to rest during breaks in your Israel Studies class. Just one quick tip, don’t take the time to sleep during class, I really don’t recommend it.

T: Take in everything you can. Everyone knows you only do Muss once, why not live it to the fullest!! Try new things, talk to new people, and make memories. Pay attention to Tiyulim and in class in order to get the most out of the program.

A: Allow yourself to have fun. Yes, Muss is school in Israel, and you do need to study, but it is also a fun experience. Make time to do things outside of studying, like going into town for a smoothie or watching a movie in your dorm with a friend. You're in Israel for crying out loud, have fun!!!

L: Learn a lot. By the nature of the program, you will learn something, whether you like it or not. However, in the end, how much knowledge you fly home with on the last day of the trip is up to you. Make sure you absorb all the knowledge you can with enthusiasm. Remember, this is the history of your people you will be learning, and it's good to know where you came from.

L: Leave preconceived notions at the door. It is fair to say that Israel is seen by the international community as a dangerous place. I know when I told my friends and teachers that I was going to Israel, their first concern was my safety. Whatever negative things you have heard about the security of Israel, leave them at home. Israel is one of the safest (and happiest) places on earth, so don’t worry. Israel feels like one big, Jewish family, so, whether you are walking the streets of Tel Aviv, or hiking Masada, know you are surrounded by your people.

I hope this guide will be  for your AMSHI adventure. Don’t forget to make your time in Israel special and your own.