I participated in the Ben-Gurion University Overseas Student Program in the fall of 2015. The staff at BGU were incredible helpful and available for any and all programs that I encountered. The Academic staff were of the highest calibre and the classes

were very informative and relevant. As an Agriculture student, BGU was able to work with me and my very specific academic needs. I would recommend this program to anybody.

I spent five months during the summer of 2015 living,working and studying Hebrew in Tel Aviv. I am from Boynton Beach Florida. I came on Masa basically because at this stage in my life I feel unfulfilled with my career, and having been on taglit a little

over a year ago, I fell in love with Israel and made a promise to myself I would come back. I remembered someone coming onto the bus and talking about Masa and how we could stay here for a longer period of time and work, study, or travel. Basically anything was possible through Masa, and I decided this was the perfect opportunity to explore more of the place I felt such a connect to as well as the potential to change career paths and find something I felt just as strongly about. I interned at a company called Shop Spree five days a week for four out of the five months I was there. It was a small start up that I absolutely loved working for. It quickly became less like an internship and more of a family and company I wanted to help succeed. It was located on Rothschild Blvd, with one of the best views in Tel Aviv, making work exponentially more enjoyable. I enjoyed going into work each day there and left with a better understanding of the start up culture. I also had added experience and references to add to my resume. I still help with user feedback and events for the company and keep in touch with my employers and friends at ShopSpree. The thing I gained the most is a sense of Independence. I live outside of Masa housing, and really have to rely on solely myself for the first time in my life. Of course friends and family still helped,but I don’t feel the need to ask anymore. I found it rewarding to figure things out, and be able to take care of myself. What surprised me most about Israel was how nearly everyone knows English. It was something I was nervous about being that it my native language, but now as silly as it is I wish it wasn’t as common I would be forced to speak Hebrew. It is so easy to revert to English when everyone is willing to speak it. I think it is important to me to keep being independent and also I hate to use the word defending, but for a lack of a better term defending Israel, before taglit I did not know much about Israel or the complications it faced, but after coming home and now living here for an extended period of time, I can related and I will always stand with Israel.

I spent the Spring semester of my Junior year at Tel Aviv University and had a scholarship from Masa, which helped defray a lot of the costs. While there, I also attended Masa social activities with young adults in other Masa programs. Since then, I have

been active in the Masa alumni community, attending events in New York and Boston. I am now on the Boston Alumni Chapter Board.

I spent the Spring semester of my Junior year at Tel Aviv University and had a scholarship from Masa, which helped defray a lot of the costs. While there, I also attended Masa social activities with young adults in other Masa programs. Since then, I have

been active in the Masa alumni community, attending events in New York and Boston. I am now on the Boston Alumni Chapter.

I loved my experience with MASA and the Career Israel program. I had been to Israel a couple times but this program was the best emersion program. I was ingrained into the local culture but at the same time wasn't left alone. I was helped along the way

the entire time. I loved living in the heart of Tel Aviv and interacting with Israelis in my neighborhood. The weekend excursions were amazing because they were educational and more than just a 'touristy' trip. I was able to learn more in-depth about Israeli history and culture. I was fortunate to be in Israel during some major Jewish holidays. The program was able to accommodate everyone and make sure we were taken care of. There is a great level of freedom in the program. I highly suggest MASA Career Israel for anyone seriously considering moving to Israel long term. It's a great program that you won't regret. It's definitely a life-changing experience.

I spent the first half of 2014 in Israel with the MASA program Budokan Israel. My experience was incredible and life-changing; I know Israel much more intimately, have a nuanced understanding of how cultures collide and firsthand experience navigating

them. Support from my program helped me learn Hebrew, see the country, learn the history, and meet other students abroad - not to mention the incredible instruction I received. Budokan Israel is a martial arts program, and it offers something you cannot find anywhere else in the world; instruction from some of the best teachers of Judo and Krav Maga every single day (I mean that literally - some of the best; Olympians and former chiefs of the IDF hand-to-hand curriculum). On top of getting an opportunity to experience Israel, this program was the perfect experience for me after I finished school - it gave me a discipline and a chance to get out and explore a beautiful country. Disclaimer: MASA Israel asked me to write this review, though all content is my own true opinion.

I interned in Isrotel's Royal Beach Hotel from February 2012-July 2012 as part of a 5 month Masa Israel experience through Oranim. Along with gaining a diverse work experience collaborating as well as serving with people all over the world I was able

to learn basic Hebrew through an Ulpan class, volunteer in the community and take monthly cultural/heritage tours around the country. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to get hospitality experience as well explore Israel with Eilat as a base.

I spent the year living and studying in Jerusalem as part of MASA Israel Journey (specifically the Year In Israel program with Hebrew Union College). It was one of the best experiences of my life. I felt as though I was truly immersed in Israeli life

and was able to understand what day to day life is like in Israel. I loved not only getting to know Jerusalem and all her sites, restaurants and my favorite, Babette's Waffles, but also getting to explore the country. Fellow MASA participants and myself would rent a car and travel to different parts of the country including Eilat, Haifa and Rosh HaNikra. My MASA experience gave me the chance to discover another country and discover myself. The funding, relationships and support I received from MASA were invaluable.

Masa enabled me to have an amazing and affordable experience, I got to live in Israel, hike all the time, and study in a wonderful program combining Judaic studies and college courses. I also lived in Jerusalem the most amazing and holy city in the world.

I was 19 when I was on this program and it changed my life, I ended up living in Israel for 8 years finding a job, wife, and having a child all in the amazing holy land of Israel.