The most unique part of this experience of HSI is the feeling of your classroom coming alive. Coming on this program in Israel, has given me so much more educational opportunities than I could receive back In the United States. Not only are the things we are learning about so different than anything I would be learning in a public high school, but also the ability for us to be able to visit these sites, that hold so much historical significance is so extraordinary. HSI pulls you into your learning, because you aren’t just looking at pictures of the ancient fortresses the Romans built, your literally standing on them. Personally, I get bored sitting in regular American history class, because I’m learning about some part of history in I don’t know, Brazil where I have never been and can not relate to any of it. Being here with the most amazing core teachers, learning about history, while looking at it, is something you can only get here.

It also really helps you understand the class better, or at least for me it does. I am more of a visual learner. One of my favorite tiyuls was Masada. Not only the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen, but sitting on top of Masada learning the story about the Jews and the 8 Roman camps surrounding it, while actually looking at the camps ourselves and putting ourselves into the Jews eyes, helped me understand it way more than a lecture from my teacher in a classroom for 45 minutes. Not only is it fascinating to be able to stand in the exact spots of these famous historical figures in Jewish history, but I could actually feel the energy, and imagine the real people walking around and interacting like we are thousands of years later. My heart tensed up a little bit sitting there thinking what I would do if I saw a Roman climb up the side of the mountain I was looking at. Just like they did, exact spot I was sitting, but a long, long time ago. Masada isn’t the only one, Israel is filled with history, everywhere you go, it’s just one big classroom. I have learned the basics of Judaism back at home since I was little, but being here and sitting where I’m taking notes about, is an experience you really can’t get anywhere but HSI.