The expectations I had about what I would learn were tremendously exceeded. At first when we arrived in Poland stepping on the same land my ancestors once did fulfill me with mixed feelings knowing what tragedies they went through. Previous to going on this trip I didn’t know how emotional I would get and how sensitive I would be to this subject. In addition, I didn’t know how connected I would feel just by being in Poland.

Some of the expectations that I had before going to Poland, was to learn more about how the Nazis treated people, and also to see all the concentration camps in where a lot of my family had died because of the horrendous acts of the Nazis. Another thing that I expected to see was the history of how good the Jews lived in Poland before, and fast transition to those horrible years of the war.

I hoped that I would leave Poland with enough knowledge of the Shoah to be able to help in educating others when returning to the United States. I feel as if I have accomplished this goal and writing this essay will allow me to give others a glimpse of what it is like to learn about the Holocaust in Poland, hopefully increasing their desire to properly educate themselves and others.

Hello everyone. Poland was jaw-dropping. It was a trip like no other...

We only have about four weeks left in Israel, and although those weeks are packed to the brim with activities, I know that they are going to go by so fast. Honestly, I am a bit scared to be home and so far away from everybody, but thinking about home led my brain to other things, such as what my impact is going to be on my community when I get back.

We are now about fourteen weeks into the semester, which means we only have about four weeks left until we go back home to the United States. This has been a great experience, where I learned so many things, both educationally, and personally about myself. This experience that I had, is an experience that should not be kept, and should be spoken out to many people, so that they can also have this amazing experience...

After being here for so long and learning so much about the history of Israel and the current conflicts, I feel a sense of responsibility to bring what I’ve learned back home with me.

When I get home, I have a few things that I am hoping to be able to carry out. Besides encouraging others to come here and telling them about my experience, there are also a few things I’ve learned in Israeli Studies class that I want to bring home with me.

Alexander Muss High School in Israel has been one of the most influential experiences I have ever had. I have learned so much about my heritage, Israel, and mostly myself. I wanted to be a better version of myself, seizing this opportunity to learn and expand my horizons.

Throughout the four months I have spent at Alexander Muss High School in Israel, I have learned many new lessons and traditions. These I definitely want to take home. Even share with not only my community but my friends and family.

Hello! So, this is my last blog entry for this trip, which is a bit scary and uncomfortable because we have all been experiencing a lot of lasts lately. Last Saturday was our last Shabbat with Aubrey, who is one of the core teachers. Yesterday was our last tiyul, or trip, on the program. This weekend is our last free weekend. I just finished my last lab, and next week is finals week for all my classes.

Before coming on the semester in Israel, I thought a lot about some goals I would love to achieve, and in my opinion, I did achieves most or even all of them...

In my second blog post, I talked about the goals I wanted to reach while I was here. The first was becoming as fluent in Hebrew as possible. While I don’t think that I am nearly close to becoming fluent, my Hebrew has improved since coming here...

Well, it’s the final week before everyone heads off. I can’t even begin to believe that the program is about to end, which is most likely going to leave me in shambles. It’s funny seeing what I wrote on in my earlier blog regarding my goals I wanted to achieve while on the program.

Throughout my time at AMHSI I have reached and exceeded my expectations of coming here. In my first blog, I mentioned that I wanted to grow closer to my Jewish heritage, which I feel like here in Israel was the best place to do it.

I set a lot of goals for myself this trip and had a lot of expectations of what it would be like. I don’t get much of a Jewish education at home, so I came here with the hopes that I would learn more in that sense.

Well, it’s the final week before everyone heads off. I can’t even begin to believe that the program is about to end, which is most likely going to leave me in shambles. It’s funny seeing what I wrote on in my earlier blog regarding my goals I wanted to achieve while on the program...

So this is it; the moment where everything begins to feel real. It was only a bit over a year ago when I was crying my eyes out at Ben Gurion Airport. I pledged to my mom that I would return soon enough, but never in a million years did we both think I would be returning this soon! Not to sound cheesy, but Israel seems to be my fate...

In two days, I am going to school in Israel at Alexander Muss High School. I am having a hard time believing that I am leaving so soon, it is almost too good to be true. I am overjoyed to have been given this opportunity for personal growth as well as for the development of my Jewish identity...

Week 1: It’s funny how I dreamt of having a different routine for the longest time, but when I came here, I felt completely overwhelmed. Many kids were already friends with each other and I, a stranger, began cohabiting with them instantly. All of this can be incredibly scary and unnerving. (I associate this with skydiving.) Yet there’s a part of me that can always be proud of myself for leaping into the sky when most teenagers wouldn’t dare board the plane. I’m already beginning to learn more about myself in this way...