I have only been at Alexander Muss High School in Israel for 6 days, and I feel that I’m building close bonds to each and every person. While everyone is here, we are going to be learning many meaningful things about ourselves. So far, I have learned that I want to grow be a better person for not only myself, but the people surrounding me.

The main goal I have set for myself while I am in Israel is to learn how to hold a basic conversation in Hebrew. I want to be able to understand what people are saying and, somewhat being able to speak/respond. I will work on this by trying to talk in Hebrew when I am off campus purchasing goods, or talking to AMHSI staff members Hebrew. I am so interested in learning Hebrew because a lot of my family speaks it, and I want to be able to know what the are saying and have a conversation with them. 

Second, I want to be my authentic self. The community I have grown up in at home has shaped me to believe that I should be someone I’m not in order to blend in. But here, I feel that I don’t have to hide my true self anymore, I’m comfortable in my own skin. In order to be the real me, I will strive to be honest and genuine in everything I do. 

Third, I would like to balance my studies with my time for friends. Often times, I find that I have an unhealthy balance between the two. Whether it’s that I’m spending too much time studying and not leaving enough time for friends, or vise versa. In order to make this goal possible, I will keep in mind to work to live, not live to work.

Lastly, I want to take with me lessons that will last me a life time. By this, I don’t necessarily mean the education I gain from school. But rather from the friends that surround me. Life is always providing me with lessons. But I want to be given learning that is meaningful specifically to my life. I want to challenge myself, have growth in my perspectives on life and my mind, and learn how to have consistently good mental health.