This trip has been really inspirational and meaningful, however, also surprising to me. What I expected to be the most meaningful and was looking forward to ended up being not as impactful as some new experiences. Arguably the most enjoyable way of living in Israel for me was in Beit Shean, which surprised me greatly as life on a kibbutz was something that I used to think was stupid and boring. However this time whether due to the overload of speakers or seemingly boring talks, the kibbutz was just so peaceful in comparison. The western wall was also really meaningful to me as it always is, as it is both part of my spiritual home and some sense of nostalgia hits me when I visit as I used to live in Jerusalem. This trip has taught me a lot about Israeli history but I think the infatuation with October 7th, while understood was shown too negatively. I felt a lot during the trip that October 7th was only a testament to Israel’s shortcomings and disappointments. I however see it as testament to Israeli spirit whether in the the way that Israelis came together to support one another, the way that Hostage Square exists to tell the story of the hostages, or even in the way that Israel isn’t easy to break and while it’s hard to go on with life during a war, Israelis show it can be done. Israel is truly my second home and it always will be.