When I first arrived in Akko on Sunday, March 9, to begin my Israel Experience portion of Year Course, I only had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into. I knew I was doing Dakar, the navy program. I knew I was staying at a boarding school for kids who wanted to be navy cadets, or at least learn about the navy. I knew it involved sailing and the water. I knew there were rules. But that was pretty much it!

This week, my time at Mamsheet Camel Ranch is coming to a close. The last time I serve dinner to a tour group will be either tonight or tomorrow; I’ve probably led my last camel ride because of the pouring rain, and hopefully I will not be raking sand or picking up cigarette butts again for a while. Since my roommate left for the Year Course Poland trip, I won’t be watching another episode of Scrubs in our trailer during our free time.

I’m halfway through the “Israel Experience” portion of Year Course, in which all of the chanichim (participants) in my section are spread out throughout the country, living in various environments and working in different jobs to get a grasp of what an Israeli’s daily life is like.