Looking back on the first five months

Tomorrow marks the end of my five-month program. At 9:30 a.m., we’ll be out on the streets – some of us staying here in Israel, others heading home.

In some ways, I can’t believe how long ago the first few days feel. The first day I walked in, sweaty and out of breath after lugging my way-too-heavy suitcases up the stairs in 90+-degree heat, to find some of my new roommates and our madrich (program adviser) sitting in the kitchen. I was immediately overwhelmed by the new personalities, the apartment, the realization that this was the setting for the next five months of my life.

Those first few days, I genuinely didn’t know if I was going to make it. I knew only a couple of people in Tel Aviv outside of my program. I felt way too old to be on the program at all, let alone to be in an apartment with seven other people, sharing a room. I was beyond grossed out by our bathroom and shower situation (my hair phobia didn’t help matters). Our power went out the first night, yielding a sleepless, sweaty night. I was tired, anxious and scared. I started looking for a sublet.

Goodbye, tiny bedroom

When I realized I wasn’t actually going to move out, I tried to make the best of my apartment situation. I barely (read: never) cooked because our kitchen grossed me out so much. Our eight personalities clashed in sometimes ugly ways. Our apartment became so moldy with the winter rain that three people actually moved out. But hey – I made it. I was lucky to get along well with my roommate (truly the most important), and I only fell out of my twin-sized bed once. I didn’t overcome my hair phobia, but I’m alive and didn’t inhale so much mold that I have brain damage (that I know of, anyway).

I quickly came into my own on the program. I reassured myself that age is just a number, and that I can survive five months anywhere. And thankfully, I was right.

I made friendships I know will last a lifetime. I’m excited to know people all around the world – Argentina, Brazil, France, Hungary, Russia, Germany… even Canada! Though I didn’t meet nearly as many Israelis as I might have liked or expected, I know that’s partially on me, and I’m making a strong effort now that I’m staying.

My internship was a fantastic experience. I learned about the world of public relations, and met some truly wonderful people along the way. I also got to interact with Israel’s high-tech startup scene (and I now know more about cybersecurity than I ever expected!).

I finally feel like a local in Tel Aviv (maybe not Israel, but at least Tel Aviv) as opposed to a tourist. I can figure out the buses and have yelled “Rega! Nahag!” (“Wait! Driver!”) when the bus doors closed before I could shove my way to the doors. I know my favorite restaurants and how to order shawarma. I don’t expect to get water at a restaurant unless I ask a few times.

Most of all, I feel confident in my decision to stay in Tel Aviv longer. I’ve started the process of making Aliyah (becoming an Israeli citizen) instead of only applying for a work visa. I opened a bank account (after four attempts…), rented an apartment with a lovely Israeli roommate and am going through job interviews.

I miss home; most of all, I miss my friends, family and cat. But I’ll be back to visit, and someday to live, I’m sure… and in the meantime, this is everyone’s excuse to come visit Israel!

Thank you to everyone I’ve met – in one way or another, you have all had a positive impact on my experience here, and I hope we stay in touch.

 

 

Should I stay or should I go?

When I arrived in Israel in late August, I did so with an open mind: I didn’t have a clue whether I’d stay past the program end in January. I told myself that I’d go with the flow and give myself time to make up my mind. The goal, ultimately, was to make this decision by the end of December, so that if I decided to return to the U.S. I could begin my job search (and, conversely, if I were to stay in Israel, start finding a job/housing here).

Now, It’s the second week of December, and I don’t feel any closer to a decision than I did before. I had days when I was sure I would stay, and days that I’ve wanted nothing more than to return home in 2017.

I’ve tried pro/con lists, which have helped to an extent, but have certainly not been definitive. Below I’ll share some of my reasons – just a few of the selected, more publicly-appropriate ones, of course. Over the next few weeks I’ll be doing some serious soul-searching to hopefully come to a decision.

PRO: STAY IN ISRAEL!

• More time to explore Tel Aviv and the whole of Israel
• Easier (and cheaper) to travel to other European countries
• It’s an adventure
• Learning opportunities
• Pushing myself out of my comfort zone
• I don’t have to figure out a new job and new city back in the U.S.
• No need for a car
• I really love this city.
• The Mediterranean and the beach

• The weather (and not returning to the U.S. in the dead of winter)

CON: GO BACK TO THE US!

• If I stay, I need to put in a lot more effort to learn Hebrew. If I go home, it’s back to my first language.
• I really miss my friends and family – and my cat, Leinie.

Look at that cat. How could you not miss him??

• The eight-hour time difference makes it hard to stay connected to those back home.
• I’d surely make more money.
• Cost of living in Tel Aviv is really high – groceries, bills, especially housing
• Summer in Israel is brutal.
• Living in the U.S. is just EASIER. It’s easier to do things like go to a clinic, deal with customer service representatives and get things fixed (like my phone, which is barely functioning) – and not just because of the language barrier.
• I could afford to join a gym and start working out again. I’d probably eat more healthily, too (probably… not definitely).
• A majority of the people I know here are on this program and leaving at the end of January. That said, I’m pushing myself this next month to get to more events and meet more people, especially Israelis.

Advice? I’ll take it. Affordable apartments in Tel Aviv? Any jobs back in the U.S. that would tempt me to come back even more? Oh, I’ll definitely take those.

Two Jews, three opinions

With less than a week until the elections, I’m thankful to be living in Israel instead of the United States. The last few months have been exhausting, even here, to be surrounded by constant conversation and debate about the election.

In my (admittedly limited) experience here, almost every time I’ve met an Israeli over the last month or so, they’ve asked me who I’m supporting in the election – Clinton or Trump. I can never guess which answer they expect or want me to give, unlike at home, where allegiances are usually easy to spot.

Many Israelis see Trump as something of a joke, but many also see him as the better choice for president as it pertains to US-Israel relations. I’ve heard over and over that Clinton “hates” Israel and won’t support the country if elected president, whereas Trump, though “scary,” “loves” Jews and Israel. Though I personally disagree with these opinions, I try to listen and learn why people think the way they do.

I find the Israeli focus on the US election fascinating. At times, it seems they’re more interested than Americans are. And who can blame them? The results of our election can drastically impact financial aid, diplomatic relations and more for Israel. But it sometimes seems like it’s easy for Israelis to forget that a US president’s first priority is the United States, not Israel.

Though the election is a week away, I know the conversation here is far from over. Whomever is elected will spark a new round of debates and opinions. There’s a saying that even when there are only two Jews, there are three opinions, and that couldn’t be clearer than right now.

If the debate here is exhausting, I can’t imagine how tiresome it’s gotten at home, but it’s an important one to have. I’m often reluctant to share my true views with Israelis – perhaps I’m not opinionated enough about certain issues – but it’s eye-opening to hear international thoughts on what’s going on back home.

I have my absentee ballot in, and I hope everyone back at home recognizes the importance of fulfilling this civic duty and votes next Tuesday (or sooner!).