Dear Aardvark Israel Family,
Ten months ago, our students arrived with suitcases full of belongings and excitement. For some, it was their first time in Israel. Perhaps they didn’t know anyone, and most likely, they had no idea what to expect. They came from different countries, different backgrounds, and different continents – but they all arrived with the same question:
What will this year be for me?
Today, as the year comes to an end, we know the answer. This was not just a gap year. It was a year of growth, self-discovery, friendship, challenges, meaning – and home. Slowly, between Ulpan classes, internships, Tiyulim, Shabbatot, holidays, and everyday life in Israel, something changed. Israel stopped being a destination and became part of their story.
From the First Moments to Feeling at Home
One of the things that surprised us most was how quickly we became a community. From meeting new roommates and taking our first walks through the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, little by little, strangers became friends. Friends became a community, and the community became a family.
“I had been to Israel many times before. I have family here, and I speak Hebrew pretty well. But none of my previous visits ever made me feel like a local, or like Israel was my home, the way this year did. I’m not exactly sure what caused it. Maybe it was taking the bus by myself, going grocery shopping and trying to read products in Hebrew, or maybe it was the Shabbat experiences we shared together. But something about this year made Israel feel like home to me.” – Sophie, Ofek Community
The Moments That Shaped the Year
This year was filled with unforgettable moments: tiyulim to places we never imagined existed in Israel, Shabbatot and holidays we celebrated together, incredible internships and meaningful volunteer opportunities, as well as daily encounters with Israeli society in all its diversity. But what will stay with our students long after the photos are tucked away in albums is not only what they did, but who they became: more independent, more confident, more connected to Israel and to their Jewish identity, and far more prepared for the next chapter of their lives.
“Being at Hostage Square on the day they returned was overwhelming and full of emotions – happiness, hope, and also pain. It was incredibly meaningful, and I’m grateful that I was able to be there and experience that historic moment alongside so many others.” – Amanda, Barak Community
Living in Israel, Not Just Visiting It
This year gave our students the opportunity to experience Israel not as tourists, but as part of everyday life. They watched an entire country come to a standstill on Yom Kippur and celebrated Independence Day in every corner of Israel. They bought spices in Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda Market and became regulars at cafés in Tel Aviv. Our students experienced Israel’s complexity, but also its beauty and unity.
“The moment I will never forget was watching the sunrise at Masada together with all of Aardvark Israel. We had to wake up at 4:00 in the morning for the Tiyul! But it was absolutely worth it. That was the moment I realized just how diverse Israel is, and I found myself wondering how many incredible places and breathtaking views there are in this country that I still haven’t discovered.” – Eden, Eitan Community
The Moment We Discovered Ourselves
For many of our students, their internship was far more than a line on a résumé. It was an opportunity to discover new abilities, to take responsibility, to build confidence, and sometimes, even to discover what they want to do in the future. In classrooms. In offices. In social organizations. In media outlets. In startups. And in places they never imagined themselves working just a year earlier.
“I was with Aardvark Israel for two semesters and had the opportunity to complete two incredible internships. I was part of the social media team of a popular podcast, and during my second semester I wrote and interned at The Jerusalem Post. There’s something amazing about creating something yourself and knowing that thousands of people will see it. I’ll soon be starting my studies in Law and International Law, and I feel that each internship helped me in its own way to better understand communication, audiences, and what it means to work in a real professional environment. It’s an experience I’ll definitely be able to include on my CV.” – Tami, Barak Community
What Comes Next?
Soon, some of our students will continue on to universities, campuses, and communities around the world. Some have chosen to stay in Israel a little longer and continue enjoying everything it has to offer. Some have chosen to make Aliyah and build their lives here.
What they all have in common is that they will take with them lifelong friendships, an extra suitcase full of unforgettable memories, and a deeper connection to who they are.
This year has come to an end.
But the journey they began here is only continuing.
Because you can leave Israel.
But it is difficult to leave a place that has become home.
The Aardvark Israel Team