Alison Z. – Arts & Culture, Summer 2018

“I have been introduced to the Israeli culture and way of life on my previous trips to Israel, but this is the first time I have been immersed in the culture and community. It is the first time I have been to Israel for longer than 10-days. It is also the first time I have lived on my own in Israel. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity.

I have not travelled as much as I planned because the 2-months at my internship have gone by quickly. Still, I learned so much more about this country, the city of Jerusalem and myself then I could have expected. If someone told me I would be working as a multimedia intern in Israel for 2-months through a program that supplies me with housing and travel days to see news parts of Israel, I would have laughed or shrugged them off. I have grown so much through this experience and I am so happy I applied for this program!

I went on an amazing Breakout Seminar where I hiked, swam in a spring, and slept under the stars in the middle of the woods without a tent. I could not have asked for a better weekend adventure to go on. It was a perfect break from the busy city life of working in Jerusalem’s Downtown Triangle. It brought me back to nature and gave me time to reconnect with my values and my love for the natural beauty of Israel, something I haven’t fully gotten to do on the previous trips I went on to Israel.

It is now the last 2 weeks of this amazing program and my wonderful internship with Bar-Kayma for Culture, Art, Music and Peace, and I am speechless. I cannot believe I have received this amazing opportunity and I have grown so much. These last 2 weeks will be some of the most memorable because I will make the most of each day. My love for Israel has grown on this program! Thank you Onward Israel Arts and Culture for providing a once in a lifetime opportunity!”