Here at HSI, I hope to accomplish many things. First off, I would love to form an amazing bond with the rest of my classmates which will stay with me for the rest of my life. These friendships will help me to feel more at home, and I will begin to enjoy the program much more once I learn everyone’s true personality. I hope to gain a much greater understanding of the Jewish history of myself and Israel.

I want to know how Israel got to become such a successful nation and the diverse cultures that lie behind it. I would like to go back to America prepared; I am worried that the teachings here will be too little and I will not fully understand all of the material. Since I have never been to Israel, I want an unforgettable experience which I can look back on the rest of my life. I know that this is a very personalized trip, and I wish that I can be the most serious yet interested person I can be. I really hope that the dorm life will be really chill and an awesome environment I can come back to.

My madrichim are the most amazing people I have ever met. The one goal I would like to accomplish is to be best friends with them so that they are practically my siblings. I can already tell that they are going to be really fun to be around. Also, I would like to grow a connection with my Israeli studies teacher, Elhanan so that when I come to Israel I can meet up with them. I hope to fall in love with this country, so I will maybe one day come back to live here or become a better Jew. The highest aspiration of this trip of mine is to try many new things, and to put myself out there and be the person I was meant to be. So far I have been having an awesome time. 

I have met everyone in the September session and everyone is really friendly and personable. My classes have been difficult, but I have learned a good amount of information which I have never seen before. 

I would love to go back to America and speak about this program to many of my friends and recommend that they journey here too. This trip I can take once in my life, and I am beyond ready to have an amazing time here.