Looking back on my time here in Israel, I can confidently say I made the right choice to study abroad. Studying abroad in high school is not something most people have the opportunity to do, and I was a little nervous about being one of the first people I know to do this. The idea of being able to live in another country for a few months has always been very appealing to me and being able to miss school and escape the cold Philly winter was just a bonus. I had hoped to meet amazing new friends, explore the land of Israel, connect with my Judaism, gain independence, and learn a lot about myself. These goals led me to make the choice to come to Alexander Muss, and I can say it definitely did not disappoint.

Even though I travel and have gone to camp, I never had the challenge of managing school on top of traveling. It took me little while to get adjusted, but I am definitely leaving this program with much better time management skills and far more independence. I was able to learn when I can go out and when I should stay in, how to manage my money, going grocery shopping, making sure I drop my laundry off on time, and overall just taking are of my health. Also, I was able to spend a lot of time with my family in Israel who I rarely see when I am in the States. But the best part about studying abroad is that you really get to become apart of the country. You have the chance to not only go to the top tourist destinations, but you can find the hidden gems that only the locals know about and have time to make real connections with the people. After going to the same falafel stand for dinner, I became friends with the owner and she started to tell me about her life. When I look back on this trip to Israel, it is much more than a vacation with a series of pictures, but it is a place that I now have deep connections with, people I have exchanged stories with, and 4,000 years of history I have learned about. Before I came, I frequently heard the expression “Hod is home” from former students and alumni, but I didn’t understand the meaning behind it until just a few days ago. One day I went onto my google maps to see how much longer the bus ride was back to campus, and it read “Home- 45 minutes away.” This made me realize that this town of Hod HaSharon really has become my home, and I can’t even believe that I am going to have to leave it in just a few days. Studying abroad in high school was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I know I will be so much more prepared for the next few years of my life with this experience under my belt.