My year in Israel: A life-altering experience

/Chloe Newman in the Negev /PHOTO | CHLOE NEWMAN

Returning to the States after a year abroad in Israel, family and friends have all greeted me with smiles, hugs and the same innocent question: “Well ... how was it?”

The question comes automatically, as much as a standard “hi” is followed by “how are you?” None of the varying answers I’ve given of “amazing” and “unique” can represent my time in Israel, much in the same way that “I’m fine, thank you” cannot truly describe a person’s life. It strikes me as funny to ask for the sum of my transient yet life-altering experience.

Living and working in the southern city of Ashdod, I immediately craved to be recognized by Israelis as a fellow community member. When I visited other cities and areas of the country, it was my top priority to avoid the label of “naive tourist.” However, I was frustrated by my limited knowledge of the language, my struggle to grasp new cultural facets, and how my physical appearance could give me away. This is not to say I felt unwelcome, but rather that my inevitable identity as an outsider constantly provided me with challenges. Even the simplest tasks and interactions could become exhausting, and I soon realized how much I had taken for granted in my American routines.

It was only when I came to accept myself as a foreigner, one open and willing to learn, that my perspectives changed for the better. I embraced my ability to see life with fresh eyes, observing and discovering as a five-year-old child would, enthralled with everyday sights and encounters. I became determined to learn and practice my Hebrew, and was no longer trying to hide from the mistakes I might make. The more courage I gained in approaching and speaking with others, the more I learned about the country and made genuine and memorable connections with those I met. In this way, I found rhythm and harmony for my American life in Israel.

This positivity and freedom affected me deeply, and I spent many evenings during the work week researching and networking to plan my weekend destinations.

 Once I got the hang of using public transportation around closings in observance of Shabbat, I even came to appreciate Shabbat as beneficial to my travel experiences. Most shopping centers and businesses would close for Shabbat, bringing me closer to my travel hosts, friends and the locals as we spent our time exploring outside or relaxing in new settings. I thrived on these excursions, finding that my efforts to seek out new experiences would snowball from people I met and places I visited.

When my teaching program ended and I said goodbye to my life in Israel, I knew that my perceptions of myself and my surroundings would be forever changed. I simply fell in love with the land of Israel and its people. From them, I learned crucial lessons in matters of self, relationships and how to find happiness in life. Now I want to continue learning, living and exploring in new places. While my next destination is not yet set in stone, I’ve at least got a bit more confidence in the person I’ll be when I arrive.

CHLOE J. NEWMAN grew up in Providence, attended The Wheeler School and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Having recently completed a 10-month teaching fellowship in Israel, she has returned to Pittsburgh to continue to pursue a career in the arts. Her trip was partially funded with a travel grant from the Salmanson Fund established at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and with funds accrued through the Gift of Israel program.