Final Reflections ? Israel ? So Much More ? BUSINESS ...

Two years ago, all I knew about Israel was that it is home to the Western Wall. A year ago, after my birthright trip, I learned that Israel has a couple other religious sites, with some modern spots and cities here and there. After this course, my impression of the country has changed considerably.

I separate the course into two distinct parts, which correspond to two different feelings towards the country. The first is pre-immersion, during which we read articles about business in Israel, and heard from businessmen and women who work with Israelis and were able to tell us first hand about their experiences. We also read Start Up Nation, which goes into more detail about the culture that surrounds the Israel?s entrepreneurial spirit. We were being told information, but it was still just an idea ? more of a theory that a reality in my mind.

The second part of the trip was the immersion and post-immersion segments. During the immersion, we had the opportunity to see what we were learning about first-hand. Theory gave way to reality. Ed Mlavsky, this mysterious guy we read about was suddenly in front of us telling us how he starting the Venture Capital industry in Israel. Just across the street from Independence Hall, where I had been on my birthright trip the previous year, we visited the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, start-up incubators, and the eBay gift project. In Jerusalem, where I had only previously seen the sites of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City, we met with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and government officials. It was real, and it was happening with an energy and drive that I never would have expected.

Always the technology buff, this class certainly gave me the opportunity to explore new innovations, but also went so much deeper. We uncovered the reasons behind the innovations ? got down to the root of the energy that makes Israel a unique place for business. That extra layer really fascinates me.

We learned about the current business climate in Israel, and learned that there are many threats to its future success, but many opportunities as well. However, if you judge by the attitude of the entrepreneurs we met, you would believe that this is just the beginning. They seem unfazed by any of Israel?s internal or external challenges. I?ve been inspired by that spirit, and I can?t wait to see what Israel is capable of next.

Paul ? College of Engineering & Applied Sciences ? Junior ? Florida

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