BII: The experience of a lifetime My year in Israel was a life changing opportunity.  I came expecting to see some cool things, travel around the country, work on a "Jewish farm", and study a little.  What I found in Israel was a study program that equipped me with more than "just" intellectual knowledge but with the practical knowledge of how to understand and care about the people around me.  I found a program that forced me to balance my time wisely between personal study, required program activities, and social activities (which were my responsibility to form and follow up).  I spent part of my year focused on my team and studies until I finally realized if I wanted to make friends with the people on the kibbutz, I had to go out and visit them myself!  Nobody was forcing me to "make friends" or spend time "socializing".  I found the people on the kibbutz to be open and warmhearted beyond anything I could have imagined!  I know it sounds like an obvious statment...but these people are not American!  The kibbutznik is not a closed and cold individual that one must make an appointment to visit!  These people are hospitable and social in a way that is foreign to the American mind-set.  Some of the richest and most caring relationships I have are those I formed by visiting kibbutzniks that I worked with and met in Israel.  Upon leaving this program I realized that my life had been changed far more than I had anticipated!  Israel became apart of who I am and greatly influenced how I value time and people.  Although no program is perfect or fitting for everybody, I want to say an heart felt thanks to BII for making this opportunity available for me and many others ! Thank you BII!!!! --A former student/intern