My time in HSI has honestly felt like some sort of mind trick because on the one hand, the first week felt like a year and I was sure it would never end, but on the other, the past six weeks have gone by faster than anything I've ever experienced. In this amount of time so much has changed about me and about my expectations that I feel like a whole new person coming out of it. I remember that one of my goals for HSI was to meet new people and make new friends, and in all honesty for the first week I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to complete that goal. Looking from my current perspective I’m so glad that I stuck with it because I’ve genuinely surprised myself with the amount of close friends I’ve made and the deep connections that I’ve made with so many people. I know now that leaving is going to be one of the hardest things I will have to do because these people have become such a big part of my life that leaving them sounds like a bad dream. It is a comfort to me knowing that if I ever find myself anywhere in Florida that I know I will have a place to stay. Other than making new friends, I have also accomplished my goal of learning more about the Israeli Palestinian conflict. With such a controversial topic it is very important to know all the facts and to look at all sides of the story in order to make an educated opinion. As someone who regularly advocates for Israel in my day to day life I can confidently say that I have a much stronger argument for Israel than I did before and for that I’m very grateful.