My goals for my time at AMHSI are to explore my Jewish identity and learn the geography of Israel. I have been to Israel multiple times but I have never seen it from the perspective of an exploring student. I normally see Israel from a very limited angle, only experiencing life in  cities either close to where we stay or where family lives so seeing other parts of Israel is going to be so much fun. I have not been in Israel during the high holidays since 2002 and I am hoping that I will see the holidays, like Yom Kippur, with a new understanding.  Seeing how a whole community gathers to celebrate or reflect is very powerful. It shows you how everyone stops their normal life for the same cause.  I want to learn how an entire group of people react to the holidays. How an entire nation prays at the same time and experiences unity. I’m looking forward to visiting many places. I’ve never hiked Gilboa or Masada and I hope to see the places that impacted my Jewish identity and beliefs. I want to further my education and knowledge of the Jewish religion. It’s important for me understand the struggles that people faced to build the nation of Israel.  I look forward to learning from a new perspective and learning while seeing the land.  At home, we learn in the classroom everyday but at Alexander Miss High School in Israel we will learn partly outdoor. We will be in the places that changed where we are today. Just last week we visited Tel Gezer, it was so impactful to see a place and think about all the history that happened there. In Tel Gezer we saw old remains of structures and learned their purposes. It’s so different seeing a picture and seeing a place in person. In person you feel part of history and it feels unique and truly changing.  I want to widen my cultural awareness as well as global and local issues. By living in Israel I will fee the effects of local issues more personally. Another one of my goals and hopes is to become friends with people from all over the US that are on my September session. So far this hope is being fulfilled as I feel as that I have formed many new connections and friendships. I have made so many new friends and these next eight weeks seem like they are going to be very quick. I can’t see my life without my new friends who understand me so well. Some of my friends like Zoe, I feel like I’ve known for many years. This trip has been an amazing experience and unforgettable study abroad, thanks to the Jewish National Fund.