Journal #5

[Bradley Fischer]

I thought the experiences of culture shock presented in the video were very similar to mine when I spent a year abroad. Culture shock is inevitable in that it will happen to anyone, no matter how extensive the preparation for cultural assimilation one may have received. My experience started from the very first minute I landed in Israel. The airport security and the taxi service were both a wake-up. The security itself differed from what I am accustomed to say at LGA or Kennedy in that upon exiting the plane I was questioned by an official. The taxi stand too was queued in every which way, not to mention the price jump the drivers levy on those they deem foreigners. I could go on and on about the micro-scenarios in which the culture shock got the best of me, but the macro-culture proved to be unwavering. I remember feeling isolated and perhaps a little frustrated about a month into my stay. I told myself that I would never be able to adopt their practices and therefore adapt into the society's pace. However, I heard an olim (those who made Aliyah) speak about the Israeli culture, and how bananas it could seem. He continued to say that the only way to enjoy Israel is to quit trying to proselytize your way of life and to assimilate to the Israeli way; to stop trying to compare every facet of their society to your own because you will always find some difference. His words had a great influence. I replaced my predisposition for that of Israel's and tried to live the way the Israelis do. This made a world of a difference, as I greatly enjoyed my time spent there.