By Budokan Israel participant Jordan, 18, Baltimore
I’ve been to Israel only once before my stint with Budokan, and that was for a month long high school senior trip. I knew by the end of that trip I needed to spend more time in the land of my people, but I wanted a unique Israel experience; and boy did I get it! In the five months I spent on Budokan, we travelled all over the country, “served” for a week in the IDF, lived with Zionists, pacifists, and Christian Arabs, and met AMAZING people. Not to mention learned self defense from some of Israel’s best martial arts instructors.
Also, I’m glad to say, we all got in better physical shape. However, for all the physical changes experienced, they do not compare in the slightest to our mental and emotional growth....
