Reflecting on Experience Kibbutz Ketura Julia Weeks

Being an American student in the Kibbutz is much more common than being an American student in Israel. The people living on the Kibbutz have come used to Americans attending the Institute within their property and in most all cases welcome those students and their cultures generously. That being said, there are certain stigmas that come with being an American student and certain attitudes American students are presented with when interacting with Kibbutz members.

To be an American student on a study away program it is instantly assumed that the student is very, very wealthy, has been sent away to enrich their lives and their Facebook walls, and hopes to "help those in need" in some way. These are the easy to grasp at stereotypes of American students in foreign countries. While these are fun ideas to entertain, they aren't the most jarring effects of being an American student abroad.

There are many privileges that American students in Israel obtain that are easily overlooked. In Israel, almost everyone speaks English and if they don't, the next person you ask is probably going to know at least enough to help you get on the right bus. This ensures more safety and understanding as an American than in countries where few, if any, people speak English. On the Kibbutz and in the Arava Institute, this privilege is escalated. Every class at the Arava Institute is taught in English. Almost every TA is a native English speaker and most of the teaching staff are as well. Because of this, attending class on the Kibbutz is very similar to classes American students attend at their home institutions. Many of the other students, on the other hand, have learned English as their second, third, or even fourth language. While the students have a pretty good grasp on the language, taking tests, copying notes from a lecture, and writing scientific papers, among other things, become extremely difficult when they are forced to be completed in English.

When adding a study abroad experience to a resume, many additional factors are at play than simply the experience itself. When a student who has studied abroad's resume is compared to another non-traveling student's (assuming the students are otherwise identical) the student that studied abroad gains an advantage as a possible job candidate. Studying abroad requires money and time that many students do not have to offer. Simply because one student traveled while the other stayed at their home institution, characteristics such as being trained in a diverse group, understanding multiple cultures, communication, and independence, among many, many others.

While I wouldn't say that most study abroad experiences are at the cost of other cultures/people there are definitely a few ways in which this could occur that are not talked about often. Most institutions think of study abroad experiences as broadening the student's worldview and allowing said student to have wonderfully diverse experiences, yet little is ever questioned about the country they are attending or how the student is going to act in a foreign country. Quickly and easily, the student could act in a disrespectful matter and skew many individuals' opinions of American students. While usually Americans are welcomed in foreign countries, much is often spoken of their disrespect of other cultures and unwillingness to fully immerse themselves. Because of this, I think it is very important for Americans to be aware of the way in which the world views them when studying abroad. This is especially important for those living and studying in a foreign country for an extended period of time. Taking advantage of the privileges and advantages that come with being an American student is not wrong, but taking advantage of people and cultures is not dismissible.

Purim Carnival: One of many cultural experiences available to American students on the Kibbutz