"Deep inside my heart I've got this everlasting light It's shining like the sun, it radiates on everyone Cause the more that I give, the more I got to give It's the way that I live, it's what I'm living for."
Who in their right mind graduates from an American university with their B.A. and decides to leave their family & friends to learn in a small school half way across the world where war may be eminent any day?! Let alone that, why doesn't she just get a job and start advancing her career and paying back student loans like any rational person would?!
C'mon kids, why would I start doing anything considered 'normal' now?!
I'm not running away from anything. I'm not avoiding 'reality'. I haven't lost my mind and I'm certainly not brainwashed. I'm not unpatriotic for wanting to live outside the U.S. for awhile and I certainly don't plan to waste my college degree.
This decision is based on my love affair with the State of Israel and is a continuation of my desire to learn more about my heritage and see the world outside of the United States. From my first trip to Israel in January 2005 on birthright-israel for ten days, I've been captivated by all things Israeli. In January 2006 I explored pluralistic ideals for two weeks with Hillel student leaders, followed by my opportunity to explore the land and repair bomb shelters in northern Israel in January 2007 with Livnot U'Lehibanot. All of those trips inspired me to take smaller baby steps to stay longer and get different experiences of Israel that challenged and changed my preconceived notions.
I think it's healthy to take a year off after college and get some life experience before finding a job or deciding what I'd like to pursue for a Master's degree. I can only become a better person from this experience. I will be learning at She'arim College for Women, located in Jerusalem. I will be learning full time areas of Jewish history, strengthening my Hebrew skills (verbal, written & reading), immersing myself in Israeli culture and working on myself as a person, daughter, sister, friend, etc... (you get the picture).
For those of you who know me as Amanda, I will always be Amanda. Recently I've decided it would be fun to also use my Hebrew name, Batya, especially while in Israel -- so you'll see it thrown in there every now & then...
I look forward to a year of growth, adventure, learning and new experiences. I invite you to join me during my year abroad. I decided to start this blog so that I didn't have to worry about possibly forgetting anyone in an email and you can read these posts at your leisure. I welcome your questions and comments -- please keep in touch! I will post as often as I can and make sure that my posts are easy to understand.
L'hitraot (Hebrew for until next time)--
AG
This is a picture of me at the Kotel (the Western Wall) taken by my buddy Daniel "Dan the Man" Greenberg back in 2007 and remains one of my favorite pictures of all time.
C'mon kids, why would I start doing anything considered 'normal' now?!
I'm not running away from anything. I'm not avoiding 'reality'. I haven't lost my mind and I'm certainly not brainwashed. I'm not unpatriotic for wanting to live outside the U.S. for awhile and I certainly don't plan to waste my college degree.
This decision is based on my love affair with the State of Israel and is a continuation of my desire to learn more about my heritage and see the world outside of the United States. From my first trip to Israel in January 2005 on birthright-israel for ten days, I've been captivated by all things Israeli. In January 2006 I explored pluralistic ideals for two weeks with Hillel student leaders, followed by my opportunity to explore the land and repair bomb shelters in northern Israel in January 2007 with Livnot U'Lehibanot. All of those trips inspired me to take smaller baby steps to stay longer and get different experiences of Israel that challenged and changed my preconceived notions.
I think it's healthy to take a year off after college and get some life experience before finding a job or deciding what I'd like to pursue for a Master's degree. I can only become a better person from this experience. I will be learning at She'arim College for Women, located in Jerusalem. I will be learning full time areas of Jewish history, strengthening my Hebrew skills (verbal, written & reading), immersing myself in Israeli culture and working on myself as a person, daughter, sister, friend, etc... (you get the picture).
For those of you who know me as Amanda, I will always be Amanda. Recently I've decided it would be fun to also use my Hebrew name, Batya, especially while in Israel -- so you'll see it thrown in there every now & then...
I look forward to a year of growth, adventure, learning and new experiences. I invite you to join me during my year abroad. I decided to start this blog so that I didn't have to worry about possibly forgetting anyone in an email and you can read these posts at your leisure. I welcome your questions and comments -- please keep in touch! I will post as often as I can and make sure that my posts are easy to understand.
L'hitraot (Hebrew for until next time)--
AG
This is a picture of me at the Kotel (the Western Wall) taken by my buddy Daniel "Dan the Man" Greenberg back in 2007 and remains one of my favorite pictures of all time.
