A month prior to my flight to Israel, I still didn't quite understand that I was about to embark on a journey abroad for 5 months, away from the comfort of my D.C. apartment and the presence of my friends at GW. A week prior to my flight to Israel, I kept myself busy as I finalized the last details for GW's annual Welcome Week programming, organized the Student Association's Hurricane Harvey Fundraising Campaign, and coordinated the subletting process for my apartment. A day prior to my flight to Israel, I struggled to say goodbye to my friends, to delegate my work within the Student Association, and to prepare for the beginning of my study abroad program.
I had a hard time leaving GW, but rather than the fear of starting life in a new country, it was because of my hesitation to put a pause on what has been the best years of my life. At GW, I found my passion, my talents, and my community-- all the components that have helped me grow more than I could have ever imagined. In other words, I was afraid to miss my friends, my work, and my home.
Eventually, I boarded my flight to Israel, with a 12-hours layover in Belgium, before arriving in Jerusalem on Sunday, Sep. 3.