The definition of an expectation is a belief that someone will or should achieve something.

All of my family and friends ask me what my expectations are for my first trip to Israel…what do I expect, why aren’t I afraid, what are my worries, will I miss my family, how will I come back to Creek and finish out the year. The most common question that I get asked is what makes me nervous about going. When I answer that I am not nervous for anything and don’t see anything to be nervous about, people look at me like they don’t understand. I am not nervous because I know that I am in good hands and am going to have a great time regardless.

I am coming to the program very open minded and have few expectations. I’m hoping that traveling without expectations will help me embrace my journey. I expect to learn about the history of Israel and Judaism. I hope to connect to the Jewish history, meet new people and create lasting friendships.

I have learned about Israel for my entire life, seen pictures, and listened to family members talk about their trips but am not sure what I expect or how I will feel. I have been away from my family but never for this long or out of the country without them, so there are uncertainties.

I’m not sure what I will achieve, but I know my friends and family back home are waiting and expecting me to achieve something great. I hope I can live up to it and am excited to travel halfway around the world to gain a better understanding and certainty of me and myself as a Jewish woman.