It’s almost been one week in Israel. Already, I have made amazing friendships, and had experiences I will never forget. While looking back at the amazing journey that I have had is great, this early in the trip, it is more important to look forward. What are my goals for this upcoming trip? Who will I become? How will my life be different once I return home?

One goal I have for this upcoming trip is to learn Hebrew, which is a pretty straight forward goal. Hebrew is a language that I have always wanted to learn, but I was never able to due to school, homework, sports, and other responsibilities. But here, I can finally focus on learning the language I’ve always felt that I should know. That I’ve always been mad at myself for not knowing.

Another goal that I have is to make as many new friends as possible, and hopefully a few lasting friendships too. I am a person that always loves meeting new people and making new friends, but can sometimes be a bit shy or insecure when the chance to talk to someone actually arises. I want to step outside my comfort zone, and meet as many people as I possibly can. And I can already see myself starting to do that.

I also want to step outside my comfort zone in other ways, like trying new foods. I’ve already tried (and of course loved) falafel for the first time. I had always been scared to try it, but I finally had some, and it’s my new favorite food. I hope that I continue to do that, and try new things that I have always been scared to try before.

My main goal that I have for this upcoming semester is to grow as a person, and a Jew. I want to get everything and anything that I can out of this experience, and just grow exponentially throughout this adventure that I have just begun. I want to push myself in school and on tiyulim, and put my best foot forward in order to really get the best experience that I can. I want to learn about the country, my religion, and most importantly, myself. I never felt as fully connected to Judaism as I could, and it always bothered me. I always wondered why I could never be the best Jew that I wanted to be. But I feel like in Israel, I can finally open myself up to my religion, and become the best person, and Jew, that is possible for me. I can’t wait to really look inside myself and meet the real me. The real Ryann.