I have been in Israel for five days, and it has been such an awesome experience so far. At the beginning when I first got there, I have to admit, I was pretty overwhelmed. The jet lag was getting to me and so was the time difference. Now, I am starting to get used to everything little by little. We just started classes so I'm not fully adjusted to them yet, but I'm getting there. I have a lot of goals for this semester that I want to accomplish. I have already accomplished my first goal which is to branch out and meet a bunch of new friends!! I want to get good grades and use my time wisely for studying. So far, my classes are harder then the ones I have had at home. It’s okay though because I'm going to challenge myself and learn a lot more. I told myself I would always have a clean area in my dorm room, but that isn’t turning out well so far haha. 

 Another big goal that I want to achieve is to know fluent Hebrew by the end of this experience. I feel that because I will be living here for 4 months, it won’t be as hard as learning it in Florida. I can’t wait to go on long trips and hikes and just learn so much more about Israel. So far we have only been to Tel Gezer which was such a great learning experience about Abraham and his life 3,000 years ago, but it was also very hot. My Israel studies class is really cool. My teacher Tracy really knows how to teach in ways that stick with you and make you want to participate in class. The counselors are also really great. I have been trying to practice my Hebrew with them which isn’t going so well. HSI has so many kids doing so many different programs which is so cool to see all them and get to eat all together. I know I am going to grow so much as an individual on this amazing program.