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.

When I embarked on my adventure abroad, I didn’t know what to expect. I wrote in my first blog post about how I wanted to go into this program with an open mind in order to make new friends and better understand the history of Israel and the Jewish people. I have undoubtedly achieved these goals. Every person on the trip with me has become one of my closest friends -- I can honestly say that we have become family. They are all genuinely kind, funny, and smart people. The fact that we lived together and often had serious conversations with one another added a deep level of connection among us. Also, I learned so much about Israel. Our amazing teacher, Lisa Biton, utilized every second of our four-hour classes in order to vibrantly take us through the timeline of Jewish existence. I think that I have internalized all of her teachings and will carry this new knowledge with me throughout my life.

In addition to surpassing the goals that I originally had for this trip, I achieved things that I didn’t even think about heading into the program. For instance, I have begun to understand my personal connection to Judaism. This isn’t something I was striving for or even expecting, but it sort of just happened as a byproduct of living in such a powerful land. I also learned more Hebrew. Though I have a long way to go, I have picked up some of the slang and am even able to order a pizza.

Taking a glance at my aspirations before my time in Israel, I realize the contrast between who I was and who I am now. My independence has grown tremendously, my Hebrew skills have improved, my connection to Israel and Judaism has strengthened, my knowledge has expanded, and most importantly, I have made forever friends. For all these things, I am eternally grateful to the Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Thank you, AMHSI, for all you have given me. I plan to use this precious gift wisely.