Many students dream of the opportunity to leave the country and explore other places. For sophomore Zoe Kahana that’s a reality as this summer from late June towards the end of July she will spend weeks in a foreign country.

“I go and visit my family in Israel for about a month,” Kahana said. “Pretty much everyone not in my immediate family is there, so grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.”

Kahana’s parents grew up there and Kahana was born there before moving to the United States when she was three.

“I don’t remember actually living there, but since we go back to visit every other year or so I have a pretty good idea of what it was like,” Kahana said. “I like it there, I enjoy visiting, but I think I prefer living here.”

Although there are some similarities, things aren’t the same in Israel.

“It’s just a different culture. Here there’s a lot more cars and driving around. In Israel a lot of places are closer together so you can walk,” Kahana said. “Also I feel like there’s a lot more trusting between people in Israel. You can leave your door unlocked or leave your bike on the lawn and not worry that people are gonna take it.”

Despite the level of comfort her family had in Israel, her parents were excited for the opportunity to relocate and have a new adventure.

“Zoe’s Dad and I both worked for an Israeli company that had customers all over the world and was looking for people to relocate in England, Seattle and Texas. We chose Texas,” Zoe’s mother Inbal said. “I am glad we did, because after a while we realized that we really like living here and wanted to stay longer. Life here is more relaxed than life in Israel, and there are many more opportunities in all areas of life, as Israel is a very small country.”

Still, the trips to Israel continue to provide interesting experiences.

“We catch up with relatives and we also do things around the country,” Kahana said. “We go to Jerusalem and we see all the stuff there and we also go around and experience all the cultural things.”

Being raised in the Jewish faith, Kahana faced some challenges growing up in Texas.

“I haven’t gotten teased or picked on,” Kahana said. “It is a little strange being in Texas in the Bible Belt and being surrounded by a lot of Christians and feeling kinda like the token Jewish kid sometimes.”

However, Kahana has taken more from Israel than just her faith.

“Each year we visit different places,” Inbal said, “Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, kayaking on the Jordan river, etc. [Zoe] gets to eat the best Hummus and Fallafel, and gets a chance to brush up on her Hebrew.”

Kahana has enjoyed her experiences there.

“It’s just nice to be around different people in a different lifestyle,” Kahana said. “It helps me to not lose the culture that I came from.”