6 days ago, I was in Seattle; saying goodbye to all my loved friends and family. Now, I am across the world in Hod Hasharon. Israel is nothing I have seen before. You might think, obviously, you have never been to Israel, but that is not what I mean. The atmosphere of Israel is nothing compared to America.

Wow. I’ve made it all the way to blog number 2. Hi all, news update: I made it to Israel. So much has happened in only the last 5 days. Since I’ve arrived I have met countless amazing people that I am so excited to get to know better, I have met all my amazing teachers, and the class even went to a concert performed by the Israeli band Hadag Nahash. More about my new home; campus: amazing. showers: niiice. food: exotic. (72)

We are about a week into our incredible experience in Israel. I have so far felt a wave of emotions especially on our first couple of days. When I got off the plane I missed my family more than ever. Yet feeling a little scared and homesick I was very open and mindful to being in my homeland. Since arriving at AMHSI I have filled beyond with joy by the kids I have met and my amazing Madrichim (Advisor).

One of the goals I would like to achieve here is to be more patient.

My first goal is to be able to really capture what it truly means to be Jewish in Israel and experience things that one can only do in a program like this.

We are officially three weeks into our 18 week semester in Israel. We have traveled to many places such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and many others. During these trips I have seen many cultural differences and these are the most prominent ones I have seen.

It has been three weeks since I arrived in Israel and got a familiar taste of the culture here than in America.

I have been in Israel for roughly two weeks, and I have already witnessed countless differences between Americans and Israelis. For starters, the people in Israel are EXTREMELY friendlier than the locals in America.

In the two weeks I’ve been here, I’ve noticed lots of changes, differences and inconsistencies in the culture from home in Seattle. For example, the workers are inconsistent in the sense that some are really nice. Such as, when I go out for dinner some waiters will give us free stuff. Whereas, at other places they will just be Israeli’s plotting to scam their next American customer in need. This is unlike America because most people will just be mean in general and not care as much about the sale depending on where you are.

For me, America this past year has been very disappointing, to say the least, Israel, on the other hand, is not.

After three weeks of living in Israel I am really starting to get into the swing of things.

Besides that point, using Israel as my classroom has already been a life changing experience. I have seen the world from an entirely different point of view. It is one thing to sit in class and read your history book, but when you physically are at the place you are reading about, you imagine it differently.

Each Tiyul takes place at a site with historical significance, and we are educated about it there. If anyone is looking for teaching strategies, Tiyulim are my best recommendation, the visuals of being there help or I should say make the information stick in my head and make processing it way easier.

The beginning of the hike was daunting because when you looked up all you saw was this huge mountain that we knew we would have to climb up. The first few minutes were easy, but after some time I started to become extremely tired and my legs started to burn. We kept climbing until we had eventually reached the top. When we did I had a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I had climbed all the way up the mountain.

One of the biggest parts of the adjustment has been the change to the school schedule. It’s not a difference such as having classes for longer its the difference of my super interesting Israel Studies class. We have the class every Sunday through Thursdays for almost three hours. We are taught by a super passionate and energetic Scotland man named Aubrey.

Thanks to my amazing Jewish studies teacher I’ve been able to explore so much of my Jewish identity and helped me learn about the meanings and origins of this religion. The class field trips we partake in make school more interesting and fun than I thought learning could ever possibly be.

Last week, I returned home to New York after two months away studying in Israel. I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that it’s over. I no longer wake up to the knock of the Toranim on my door, I no longer grab some Offers before running off to my next class, and I no longer live in the same building as twenty of my best friends.

Israel is amazing, but coming here I didn’t realize how drastic the differences between the two countries are and what to bring.

After being in Israel for two months now I have started to become accustomed to the new environment. Things are not the same as they are in my home in the US.