I decided I wanted to go on TRY way before October 7th. I had dreamed of a semester in Israel for many years, and no war was going to change my mind. My worry was not that I would be unsafe here, but that TRY would be canceled. I knew things would have to look different this semester – fewer kids, some schedule changes, different programming… I was okay with all of that.
Waking up in the mornings can be difficult. The days on TRY are long and action packed. However, a few days ago, something happened that woke me up instantly. I woke up around 6 and opened my phone to check the news, a habit I have developed since October 7th. Normally, all I see is bad news: hostage deals rejected and fallen soldiers. However, this day was different. The news wasn’t focused on the bad stuff.
My favorite place in Israel so far has been the Old City and within the Old City, specifically the Cardo. It’s so beautiful and teeming with life, and what I find truly amazing is how four different cultures exist on top of one another in one city. Everyone’s distinct culture and lives are a core part of Israel and Jerusalem’s history, as we’ve been learning.
I have been studying abroad in Israel for about 3 months on a program called TRY, Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim. What makes TRY what it is, is our ICC class. ICC is our Israel Core Course class, and I do not think I have ever learned as much in a class than this class.
