There is no place quite like Israel… There is so much history, so much to learn, and I only gave you about a quarter of the activities that are possible for anyone who comes.
Shalom,
I was an exchange student from Santa Barbara, California, US. In fall 2014, I attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for a little over one semester, which is equivalent to about 3 months. I never thought I would get the chance to visit, let only live, in Israel. My school back home offered the program, so I did whatever I could to seize the opportunity. Actually, everything about this trip was nerve-racking. Not only was this going to be the first time going across the world, it was also the first time I was getting on an airplane. Can you believe it, my first flight was nearly 17 hours?! Anyway, I decided to take this program in Israel because I thought it was the best place that pertained to my studies. I majored in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Hebrew, Jewish and Ancient Near Eastern studies. I couldn’t think of a better place to study and really pick up the Hebrew language. They say that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in the culture where the language is spoken.
There is no place quite like Israel. In fact, the fall weather is similar to some of the better parts of California, so it was fairly easy for me to adapt to the environment. During my first week in Jerusalem, I stayed in the city center. It’s a lively area, very exciting and full of the local culture. I vividly remember one night—this was at the end of the Shavuot holiday—going through the city center, seeing Orthodox Jewish boys dancing in the street, finding my way through the maze of people to the Western Wall, then treading up the Mount of Olives to catch a view of the entire Old City. It was amazing! During my semester, I went on several road trips around Israel. I remember mountain biking through the Judeans hills, seeing ancient ruins; going to a kibbutz; traveling to Joppa, Tel-Aviv, Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh Hanikra; moonlight hiking through the Negev at Sde Boker—where David Ben-Gurion (the first PM of Israel) lived and buried; swimming in the Dead Sea and scaling up Masada. There is so much history, so much to learn, and I only gave you about a quarter of the activities that are possible for anyone who comes.
Living in Jerusalem is a story in itself. Here, all three Abrahamic religions meet in a dynamic way. You might think that would be terrible and would lead to bitter rivalries between them. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. There seems to be much understanding between the various religious groups. In fact, it makes it quite interesting to observe. One thing Israel will surely do is to empty you of all your concepts. The media often portrays Israeli life as unsecure and even dangerous. I would say, from experience that is simply not true. Israelis and Palestinians are very friendly and sociable people, and many of them have a sincere heart, looking out for the well-being of others. If anything, American society and other major cities around the globe are more unstable, insecure, and unsafe. Most Israelis are very hospitable, if I could describe them in one word.
Students, especially international, are very much welcome. Hebrew University (HU) is the most prestigious campus in Israel with very high academic standards. Worldwide, it is ranked as one of the top schools. The university is seated at the top of Mount Scopus, directly across the Mount of Olives and the Old City. It is very safe. HU also features an exquisite botanical garden with an array of beautiful trees, plants, and ponds. Spiritually speaking, I found the garden to be a nice location to spend time with the Lord. Many of the international students from abroad seem to be very open to hear the gospel. Many from my class were either Jewish or Christian; I would say the Christians were seeking God with a strong desire and a sincere heart. Bible studies were especially enjoyable. Some of those students eventually found their way to the Bible study I attended. The atmosphere of those times was an uplifted and encouraging one. There is no way you could not be in your spirit.
In general, being in Jerusalem and traveling through Israel gave me a higher appreciation for the Word of God. It is one thing to read about it in the Word, but it is another thing to be at the location where the event or narrative took place. You gain much more thorough experience. I remember one of my friends, wherever she went, she would pull out her Bible, find the verse referencing the location, and take a picture with the verse boldly written in her notebook at that place. Unfortunately, I didn’t do that, but it encouraged me very much. Every Christian must go to Israel sometime in their life. You will never regret it. Before you go to Israel, you should spend some time in prayer before the Lord. Not only will you be prepared to go, but perhaps the Lord may show you something much higher.
Much Grace
Lehitraot,
Shalom,
I was an exchange student from Santa Barbara, California, US. In fall 2014, I attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for a little over one semester, which is equivalent to about 3 months. I never thought I would get the chance to visit, let only live, in Israel. My school back home offered the program, so I did whatever I could to seize the opportunity. Actually, everything about this trip was nerve-racking. Not only was this going to be the first time going across the world, it was also the first time I was getting on an airplane. Can you believe it, my first flight was nearly 17 hours?! Anyway, I decided to take this program in Israel because I thought it was the best place that pertained to my studies. I majored in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Hebrew, Jewish and Ancient Near Eastern studies. I couldn’t think of a better place to study and really pick up the Hebrew language. They say that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in the culture where the language is spoken.
There is no place quite like Israel. In fact, the fall weather is similar to some of the better parts of California, so it was fairly easy for me to adapt to the environment. During my first week in Jerusalem, I stayed in the city center. It’s a lively area, very exciting and full of the local culture. I vividly remember one night—this was at the end of the Shavuot holiday—going through the city center, seeing Orthodox Jewish boys dancing in the street, finding my way through the maze of people to the Western Wall, then treading up the Mount of Olives to catch a view of the entire Old City. It was amazing! During my semester, I went on several road trips around Israel. I remember mountain biking through the Judeans hills, seeing ancient ruins; going to a kibbutz; traveling to Joppa, Tel-Aviv, Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh Hanikra; moonlight hiking through the Negev at Sde Boker—where David Ben-Gurion (the first PM of Israel) lived and buried; swimming in the Dead Sea and scaling up Masada. There is so much history, so much to learn, and I only gave you about a quarter of the activities that are possible for anyone who comes.
Living in Jerusalem is a story in itself. Here, all three Abrahamic religions meet in a dynamic way. You might think that would be terrible and would lead to bitter rivalries between them. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. There seems to be much understanding between the various religious groups. In fact, it makes it quite interesting to observe. One thing Israel will surely do is to empty you of all your concepts. The media often portrays Israeli life as unsecure and even dangerous. I would say, from experience that is simply not true. Israelis and Palestinians are very friendly and sociable people, and many of them have a sincere heart, looking out for the well-being of others. If anything, American society and other major cities around the globe are more unstable, insecure, and unsafe. Most Israelis are very hospitable, if I could describe them in one word.
Students, especially international, are very much welcome. Hebrew University (HU) is the most prestigious campus in Israel with very high academic standards. Worldwide, it is ranked as one of the top schools. The university is seated at the top of Mount Scopus, directly across the Mount of Olives and the Old City. It is very safe. HU also features an exquisite botanical garden with an array of beautiful trees, plants, and ponds. Spiritually speaking, I found the garden to be a nice location to spend time with the Lord. Many of the international students from abroad seem to be very open to hear the gospel. Many from my class were either Jewish or Christian; I would say the Christians were seeking God with a strong desire and a sincere heart. Bible studies were especially enjoyable. Some of those students eventually found their way to the Bible study I attended. The atmosphere of those times was an uplifted and encouraging one. There is no way you could not be in your spirit.
In general, being in Jerusalem and traveling through Israel gave me a higher appreciation for the Word of God. It is one thing to read about it in the Word, but it is another thing to be at the location where the event or narrative took place. You gain much more thorough experience. I remember one of my friends, wherever she went, she would pull out her Bible, find the verse referencing the location, and take a picture with the verse boldly written in her notebook at that place. Unfortunately, I didn’t do that, but it encouraged me very much. Every Christian must go to Israel sometime in their life. You will never regret it. Before you go to Israel, you should spend some time in prayer before the Lord. Not only will you be prepared to go, but perhaps the Lord may show you something much higher.
Much Grace
Lehitraot,