We are three weeks into this amazing semester and wow has time flown. Yesterday, when we were in Eilat, one of you teachers told us something that perfectly summarized what I have been thinking. My teacher, Aubrey, said, “It is the end of the beginning.” He said this to us when we were on top of a beautiful mountain that we just spent three hours hiking. From this mountain that overlooked the Red Sea, we were able to see Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Israel all from one view. When I heard him say that, I understood completely. Three weeks have gone by and I have adapted to the environment on campus. I have come to know my core teacher, Lisa, and my general studies teachers. I have become so close with the 11 other boys (the bros) and all 40 of us as a group. My madrichim, Maya, Lee, and Noam, are all people I have learned to count on as adult figures in my life for four months. I now have come to know other people on campus outside of my group. There is a school here from San Diego who are all really nice and friendly. There is also a group here who is just like us but they are here for two months instead of four. We are all so similar whether it is the styles we live or the relationship in Jewish geography, we all have something in common.

I have gotten used to going out into town and getting stuff I need. I know where to get the cheapest thing if I need and if I do not know I ask a Madrich. I know my way around town whether it is to get shnitzal or I need some extra school supplies. I have grown a better understanding of how to manage my own time in an efficient and responsible way, which is a really important skill to have. In the big picture, I am getting used to change. Change is something that has feared my entire life. I like to stay in one place doing one thing because I get used to it and I get comfortable with it. When I knew I was coming here for a semester, I knew it paid a price. I knew that change would be involved. But after three weeks of change, I am settling in. After three trips and many days of core and general studies, I am comfortable with this change of leaving my life and moving to Israel, my favorite place on Earth for four months. But after the first three weeks, now marks the end of the beginning.