“Traveling To Israel During The COVID Pandemic Made Me A Stronger Person”

Coming from a “green” country, I quarantined separately from the Americans, but was allowed to socialize with people from other green countries. In doing so, I made some of my best and most unexpected friends. Masa arranged for us to have everything we needed on arrival, and during our quarantine, our program director checked in every day and kept our apartments stocked.

The pandemic obviously altered the contours of my Israel experience, but I do not feel like I missed out. During our three lockdowns, my apartment-mates and I made the best of the situation, knowing the entire country was doing the same. We honed our previously rudimentary cooking skills by preparing elaborate recipes. We spent quality time walking, exercising, and going to the beach. We amassed a huge board game collection. Between lockdowns, we volunteered for Magen David Adom, where we packed a record-breaking 5000 coronavirus test kits in five hours for people going out in the field.

Another way we got through the lockdowns was by reminding ourselves that the situation was temporary. We knew that if we could just hold on until vaccines were approved, Israel would be at the forefront of vaccinating its population, and we would soon be able to experience all the country had to offer. And indeed, Israel has consistently led the world in coronavirus vaccines administered per capita.

I felt a little guilty receiving a vaccine when my 109-year-old great-grandfather in Canada is still waiting, but I am grateful to Masa for going out of its way to get us the vaccine immediately so that we could safely return to classroom teaching.