On the first week of this program I set two main goals: to push myself outside of my comfort zone and to stay caught up on my schoolwork. I vividly remember setting these goals, but little did I know how much I would grow as a person through completing them and I would even set some new ones along the way.

I can’t even believe how much I have changed as a person from pushing myself every day to form close relationships. When I look back to the beginning of this trip, I remember really wanting to be open minded and push myself to connect with everyone on the journey with me. I remember just trying to remember everyone's names on the first day.  It is amazing how close I have become to everyone since that day. It's hard to fathom the deep connections that I have made in such a short time. The people I haven’t even know for two months have transformed into my best friends and there is not a doubt in my mind that I will keep in touch with everyone, including my counselors, after this program. I am grateful that I put effort into connecting with everyone even though it was nerve racking in the beginning. I would not have talked to some of the people who are now my closest friends if I hadn’t been on this program with them, whether it was because they dress a little differently than I do or are in a different grade. This has taught me to reach out to everyone I meet because I have made so many new friendships.

Besides forming such strong friendships, I truly feel that I pushed myself everyday. This program has been so mentally and physically draining, but I wouldn't change a day of it for anything. Sometimes I have class for 10 hours followed by a science lab for another hour and a half or a tiyul that starts at 6am and ends at 6pm. Everyday is jam packed with classes, activities and having fun in town grocery shopping or getting treats like smoothies and ice cream. I pushed myself in every tiyul. Tiyuls included crawling through tiny caves, interviewing strangers at a Tel Aviv mall, trying to navigate my way through the crowded shuk in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, learning about the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, waking up at 4am to climb Masada, and overlooking the Negev. Each tiyul taught me something new and opened up my eyes to a completely different experience.

I can also proudly say that I have accomplished my other goal and stayed on track with all of my classes. This wasn’t always easy, but through communicating my needs with my teachers and setting time aside to study either by myself or with my friends, I have completed all of my school work. I am relieved to be going home ready to take on the rest of the school year.

Being successful in my core class is a goal that I previously didn't consider, but I quickly learned that I needed to work towards it. To earn a good grade, I always study for my daily quizzes before going to bed and work hard to pay attention during class. I also ask questions when I don’t understand a concept and I try my best to take legible notes. I’m proud of myself for completing my goals. It wasn’t always easy, but it gave me friends and memories that will last a lifetime!