Postcard from Israel
“I am not sure if I chose Israel or if Israel chose
me," says University of Calgary student Steven Wagner.
For religious, cultural and academic reasons, he was drawn
to do a semester abroad at the University of Haifa to improve
his Hebrew and pursue his interests in security studies and
the Middle East. This is his postcard home.
What is Israel like?
 Israel is a great country to live in. The Jewish communities from all
over the world that live here create a very interesting blend of peoples.
It’s impossible to avoid recognizing all the special things that
exist here. The media portray this country as a place of conflict but in
reality there is so much more. For instance, nearly every Israeli folk
song is either about peace or the beauty of nature. People get along, go
about their business and are welcoming and friendly. People spend more
time with each other and generally aren’t so tied to the same routines
that many of us experience at home. Almost everyone is flexible and almost
everything is negotiable. It’s hardly a perfect place and it can
be a much harder life when comparing standards of living. Wages are relatively
low and there is a lot of disparity and little guaranteed stability. Still,
it’s a life definitely worth experiencing.
How is it different from Canada?
 I
feel that people here put in much more of an effort than we
do at home when it comes to dealing with racism, to giving
charity or being friendly and welcoming. At home, nobody chats
on the C-train, people are generally timid to ask questions
of strangers, nor do people like to speak up when they see
something bad like racism happening. It’s
diametrically opposite here. People here constantly express
themselves and their opinions. Perfect strangers usually chat
on the bus and learn from each other or speak up to help each
other out. This could portray them as a very loud, pushy or
even an abrasive population. The term sabra, which is a prickly
fruit and a prson born in Israel, is the best descriptor.
Like most Israelis, the sabra fruit has a rough and prickly
outside with a very soft and sweet flavour on the inside.
How has Israel impacted you?
I am gaining awareness by just living in the Jewish state, learning Hebrew
and being a part of something that until recently I have only studied in
books. I am also meeting great friends and making connections which I hope
will last a lifetime.
Any insights into student involvement?
The student union here is very active in speaking for the students. A
nation-wide student strike was recently averted when the student union
accepted a government settlement over proposed tuition hikes. In general,
people are very politically and socially aware and are actually engaged.
These aren’t just dinner table discussions; you can’t avoid
these discussions anywhere. One of the most popular degrees to pursue here
is social work; not because it pays well but because it’s so badly
needed. At home, I see a general apathy by our student population, but
here, students are much more engaged.
What cultural activities have you enjoyed?
Living in the dorms is the first (and sometimes only) time
that Jews, Arabs and Druze get to live with each other. In
my apartment, I have four roommates—an American, an Arab Muslim from Abu Ghosh
(an Arab village on the outskirts of Jerusalem), an Israeli from a tiny
kibbutz in Galilee where he was raised with traditional Zionist-socialist
values, and an Israeli who is quite anti-nationalist. Everyone gets along
very well without any serious language barriers. My sense is that everyone’s
similarities vastly outweigh the differences. Everyone loves soccer,
is focused on school most of the time (Israeli students tend to be much
more serious than Canadian ones), and everyone likes to go out to the
same clubs and bars if they don’t go home for the weekend.
How else have you become involved?
I also participate in a volunteer program tutoring English
to kids from the Ethiopian immigrant community. This community
was rescued from Ethiopia’s famine in the spirit of Israel’s “law
of return” and has had a difficult time adjusting to Israel compared
to other communities. This program gives these kids an advantage
that they otherwise would not have had, definitely helping the development
of their community.
What is the most significant difference you’ve noticed?
The one strikingly different thing here is that almost everything closes
on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Abu Ghoshis a popular destination
for secular Jerusalemites on the Jewish Sabbath when everything
is closed in the city. I love to go hiking in the Carmel Park
or visit the beach on these days, enjoying nature, the view
and peace and quiet.
Tell us about a trip you have been on.
 One interesting organized trip we took was to Nazareth. We were there
on a Friday afternoon, and at a certain hour, all the church bells starting
ringing at the same time as the Muezzin’s call for afternoon prayers.
The noise which filled the city served to illustrate the multicultural
context that exists in Nazareth and Israel as a whole. On another trip
to Caesaria, we learned the city was a gift from King Herod to Caesar.
Recently, I visited the Druze village of Dalyat-el-Karmel, which is reputed
to make the best hummus—which I can confirm indeed! I have discovered
that I love to cook and I’m not bad at it. I have learned Israeli
specialties such as shakshuka (eggs cooked in something like
a homemade salsa).
Any words of wisdom?
Any reason to see Israel is definitely worthwhile—whether for religious
fulfillment, academic enlightenment or just a fun place to travel, you
will not be disappointed. Although a bit costly initially, once you are
here prices are pretty easy to live on. Canadians only get a limited view
of what happens here and it is important to come see it yourself. Come
learn a language, about religion, history or any other topics. It is a
real adventure, a really great time and a learning experience like no other.
For more information on study abroad programs please visit the Centre
for International Students and Study Abroad website (www.ucalgary.ca/CISSA/).
This postcard was supplied by the International Centre.
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