By Mara Hochberg-Miller, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
I decided to study in Israel because it is the place where my Judaism, interest in Middle Eastern politics, love for eretz yisrael, and career path in international relations happily meet.
Back home in California, I could study Middle Eastern history and international diplomacy all I wanted, but the material felt very subjective. Different professors understand the history, politics, and conflict differently and teach them in different ways.
To understand and form my own opinions and ideas, I needed to experience Israel firsthand. I wanted to gain a sense of what it was actually like to live in Israel outside the context of a classroom. In order to understand Israeli concerns, I knew I must put myself in Israeli shoes...
