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Published: August 27th 2007
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The flight
The day before our scheduled departure from JFK, the Israeli workforce announced that it would strike on the Wednesday that our flight was scheduled which put our departure in jeopardy. The program advisor from the New York office was in contact with all of the students via e-mail constantly and we all prepared for the possibility that our plane may not take off. Fortunately, that strike did not last long and our plane was able to depart on time. Unfortunately, in the airport I was flagged along with two other travels to go through special security. Myself, along with an Arab woman and her husband, were escorted throughout the airport at all times separately from the rest of my group. All the other students on my program were situated together in the airport and meeting each other while I was required to board the plane early along with the couple and I was not allowed to go anywhere, even to get water, without airport security. I am still unaware as to why this took place but the El-Al security was under the impression that I was with the couple and all our luggage and carry-on were require to
go through special security. Once that flight was underway I was seated next to another student on my program from Rutgers and the surreal feeling that I was actually traveling to Israel was shocking.
Orientation
Upon arriving at the University we met our madrichim (counselors) Dana and Dotan. They are Israeli students at the University in their later twenties as most students in Israel serve in the army before attending University. The dorms are suite-style, with central rooms that have a kitchenette, counter table, and room for a couch, one bathroom, and four single bedrooms. My roommate, Mer, and I general share all the common area and have separate, small bedrooms. The most surprising detail about the dorms is that there is no air conditioning and the temperature is, on average, 110 degrees here.
My first day in Beer Sheva was spent unpacking and getting to know everyone in the group as we bonded over carrying our luggage up numerous flights of stairs in the heat. The first night without air conditioning or any lights in my room was definitely an experience. Early Friday morning we left via bus for a hike in Ein Avdat. I was a little surprised how intense and challenging yet enjoyable the hike was with the group. More than any hike that I’ve participated in back home this was more a combination of rock climbing, jumping off rocks, and taking metal ladders down the sides of cliffs in the desert. During our first weekend here the Negev was actually experiencing a heat wave so we all made sure to drink minimum 3 liters while on the hike and COVER ourselves in sun screen. At the climax of the hike there was a beautiful view of the Red Sea that we all found very satisfying.
At the conclusion of the hike we traveled to a Kibbutz by the name of Sde-Boker were we spent the remainder of the weekend. It was WONDERFUL to stay in rooms with air conditioners and cold showers. We spent most of the day by the pool and traveling around the surrounding area. In the evening we visited the graves of David Ben-Gurion and his wife, Paula Ben-Gurion. They are buried in Sde-Boker on a large brick patio/ garden that overlooks the beautiful mountains. We spent my first Shabbat resting by the pool and having a reform ceremony where we celebrated Havdalah, (literarily "separation") at sunset. This ceremony separates Shabbat from the new week and takes place as everyone stands in a circle. There is a guitar playing while those who are participating sing prayers for wine, fire, and spices to awakening all of the senses.
On Sunday, we met with the program coordinator, security coordinator, and health insurance coordinator and were placed in Hebrew classes according to our skill levels, received our University ID cards, and toured the campus. During the campus tour, we were reminded about what makes this University unique and how David Ben-Gurion viewed the Negev desert as the future of Israel, the Jewish state. Thus, the University focuses on taking the initiative to start new projects to meet the needs of the community, and being revolutionary in its developments. The campus is mostly concrete, and beautiful, with sculptures and trees decorating the grounds. Lastly, we concluded the weekend with a MUCH needed trip to buy necessities and groceries.
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