And so it was chosen, by blogger of the month Elon Richman

That 38 medical students from around the world would come to the cradle of civilization (ish) to study the world’s most amazing field. Flavors from South Korea, Philippines, Canada, USA, Taiwan, and lets not forget Nigeria, just made the diverse melting pot of Israel that much spicier. The group is mixing, juices are flowing and we’ve so much left to know of each other.

My Israeli experience is quite different from that of my peers. I’ve grown up coming here, am familiar with the culture and have been to the ends of the country on multiple occasions. But, like most tourists who come to visit Israel, Be’er Sheva was easily skipped.

After spending the last two months working in a coffee house in Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva actually became a welcome change from the hectic honks and hoots of a cosmopolitan metropolis (much to the surprise of my friends who asked “Why the hell are you leaving the beach?!) Yet, I moved because I sought experience; I sought change. So far, Be’er Sheva has delivered with its shuks, charming old city and incredibly diverse immigrant population.

Even better, though, is the student experience.

This isn’t your average medical school. I chose MSIH because it offers a gateway to meeting fascinating and curious people who are interested in more than your run of the mill medical school experience. We have a kung fu master, paratrooper (who’s afraid of heights), salsa dancers, foodies, hikers, swimmers, bikers, spiritual guides, travelers... You get the idea.

This diversity of interest, however, doesn’t strike me as the most amazing quality of our class: everyone here is unique, but in the most welcoming and accepting way possible. There’s no intimidation from the incredible tales of our classmates and since the start of our orientation sessions, our class of 38 has been in each other’s company. We’ve had fun in the sun, dined in ancient streets, danced, explored and engaged in learning ancient language. And if you’re looking for challenges, we have people ready to face them with you.

Luckily, there are simple answers to all of your Be’er Sheva problems!

Are the chickens waking you up at 6:00 am?

YOU CHOSE THIS

Did the falafel stand on Bialik give you diarrhea last night?

YOU CHOSE THIS

Coca Again?!

YOU CHOSE THIS

I couldn't possibly go on another apartment tour.

YOU CHOSE THIS

להזיז מהדרך האמריקנים משוגעים!

YOU CHOSE THIS

Who’s the real sociopath! (ahem)

YOU CHOSE THIS

...but wait.

Have you met interesting people from around the world?

YOU CHOSE THIS

Have you started feeling that Israeli spirit?

YOU CHOSE THIS

Are you as excited as everyone else for these next four years?

YOU CHOSE THIS

We journeyed from around the world, but we’re here now. The path ahead is laid with bricks of uncertainty, but I look forward to continuing this great energy as we start a thrilling and dramatic year of knowledge, culture and love of life.

So let me ask you one thing: How can I global help you?

Naaaaaiiiiimmmm Meeeeeoooooddd,

- blogger of the month Elon Richman

In place of, by blogger of the month Jonathan Ditty

The garden tomb in Jerusalem, one of our favorite places to visit.

The first year is officially over. I am now sitting in the kitchen of my in-laws in Long Beach, California enjoying my oatmeal with blueberries (a favorite breakfast, un-tasted for a year due to the scarcity of blueberries in the Holy Land). 

Like blueberries, there were many things that I was accustomed to in the States that had to be given up in Israel. However, to my surprise, I found that there was almost always something to take their place. Instead of blueberries, we used whatever fruit was in season and quite enjoyed the variety. Freshly roasted coffee from the Conservatory in Los Angeles does not ship the best coffee in the world to Israel, but buying green coffee beans from the Shuk and roasting them in a popcorn popper is rather tasty and way cheap. 

Trader Joes does not exist, though you can find almost any specialty food in you might want in Tiv Tam or Eden Teva. Not many students have the luxury of a car, but the public transportation system and fairly cheap car rentals will get you anywhere. Starbucks never made it in Israel, but Aroma Espresso Bar supersedes Starbucks in every way (especially the freshly baked goods). 

There are many things in which we find comfort, things we never think we could live without. But once let go of, they are well enough replaced. In my experience, I have found that holding onto things lightly is necessary to discovering the best things in life. - blogger of the month, Jonathan Ditty