Packed bags ready to go. I’m at the airport, scared, nervous and excited but most of all a feeling of hesitation fills me. I think of everything that can go wrong. Just landed, an immense smile on my face when I see everyone I’m going to be living with for four months. We introduce ourselves and know right away we are going to have the time of our lives.

Many of the goals I have had already come true. A massive goal l had was making new friends. At AMHSI It’s easy. The madrichim and directors make you feel at home as soon as you meet them. As for the AMHSI students a connection forms rapidly. I’ve been told by many people “The friends you meet at HSI will be friends for life” which on the first day I already felt is true.

Another goal I have is finding myself in Israel. Finding out who I really am is important to me, this I have not been able to do as for being in a public school with no religion classes. Coming to Israel has already impacted me in many positive ways. We are 5 days in and I have learned more now than in 16 years of my life.

Traveling has always been a dream of mine. Israel is a cultural, amazing place to start. Two days into coming we have already been to a place called Tel Gezer. There we collected fossils that our ancestors from hundreds of years ago made! The feeling of being able to walk on the land where our ancestors once lived and wandered made me feel at home.

Going to Israel has to be one of the best choices of my life. The remaining goals I have are traveling to many more places and learning much more about where I am from. I can’t wait to learn about the history of Israel. These four months of my life are going to be extraordinary.