Israel is amazing, but coming here I didn’t realize how drastic the differences between the two countries are and what to bring. The first thing to bring is granola bars and any kind of non-perishable snacks. My second tip for coming to Israel is to pack lots of warm clothes, my core teacher’s class is about 19 degrees Celsius every day. It’s so cold! You practically need a parka. When I first started this program I expected independence right away. Independence is part of the program, but this takes time so you don’t get it right off the bat, but know it comes. My best tip I have is to let yourself grow. Really listening to the teachers and taking in everything around you is super important. Things on Muss change all the time and sometimes it puts me in a bad mood, but forgetting about the past and just being in the moment will help you grow immensely. Always focus on the positive side of things, for instance, the food was awful and you woke up at 4 am, but now you get to see a sunrise on Masada. I know it sounds cheesy, but bringing a positive attitude with you wherever you go is so helpful. Along with that, surround yourself with positive people, there are some people who are always complaining and it sometimes gets to you, but there are others who are positive and that rubs off on you and the group. On a completely different note, we just got back from community day. Today we went to this elderly art organization called Lifeline for the Old, Yad Ezra V’shulamit where we packed bags to give to the hungry, and we dug for artifacts. Lifeline for the Old is this place in Jerusalem where they bring in elderly people who don’t have anything to do and give them purpose by assigning them art projects. My little sister’s bat mitzvah is in January and my parents wanted me to find her a talit for her bat mitzvah while I was here. They sell the art the elderly people make in their shop and I found this beautiful talit for my sister. I was so happy and it’s perfect and the money goes right back to help that amazing organization. This is my favorite and the most meaningful gift I have found and that is what made my day so special.