I chose to study abroad for many reasons, a lot of which I didn’t even fully realize until I got here. I have always looked for adventure in my life. I love traveling and can never wait until I get to go somewhere new. I also have a great passion for Israel. I feel it is a second home to me and I love being here. Because of all this, when I heard about the opportunity to travel to Israel for 2 months NOW (before I would do Birthright, which would be the next time I was going to go to Israel), I jumped at the chance. I also wanted to get away from the negativity at home. I am under a lot of stress due to AP Classes, extra-curricular activities and the typical lack of control every teenager feels over their life at one point or another. Here, I have been able to just let go of the things from home that have been plaguing me and really focused on just being. I have definitely seen a change in my personality because of this. I am a lot less tense and much more “go-with-the-flow.” Choosing to study abroad in High School is not typical. Most people will study abroad in college for a semester, but the career path I want to go on does not really allow for study abroad in college (you need the time to train), so getting the opportunity in High School is a blessing. I have never been one for convention, so it definitely fits that I am here in High School rather than College. I have also considered making Aliyah and going into the Israel Defense Forces very seriously over the past couple of years, so this trip would give me a taste of what it means to live in Israel and go about daily things, like where to buy groceries and finding little places to frequent for dinner (Japanika has been a favorite). I am also able to be more independent here than I was at home, which is very important to me. I was never scared of if I was going to be able to live without my parents, but it is nice knowing that I thrive in positions of self-reliance. I have grown up a lot because I have had to manage things such as my money and balance classwork with free time. Overall, I am very glad I decided to go on this trip.