The End

Surprise! One last post!
I've been holding off writing this last post mostly because it still makes me sad to think about MDA and Israel, but also because I've been super busy with school (woohoo). Now that I've settled in, fixed my sleeping schedule, and reacclimatized to New York weather, I am ready to write my final reflection on this past summer.

The end of my trip was very bittersweet. Yes, I was excited to go home and see my family but I was also dreading the thought of leaving Israel not knowing when I'll be back. The people that I met while I was there have had a huge impact on my life, and I would like to think I did the same for them.
I've attached a video/pictures of the "going away ceremony" that was so kindly held for me right before I left. The director of the station, some paramedics, and some of the other employees got together and presented me with a first responder vest and a letter of appreciation (I don't think you can really hear it, but in the video he says something along the lines of "I've literally never seen a volunteer average 2 shifts a day" which is pretty hilarious in my opinion).
Even though this was a small gesture, it meant so much to me because the entire time I was with MDA, I had to work extra hard to fit in and earn the respect that unfortunately not all MDA volunteers are given. The cultural and language gap was definitely a challenge to overcome, but every single day I got closer to feeling as though I was an important team member and a valued volunteer at the station. Receiving the vest, which is only given to Israeli citizens who take the official MDA first responder course, was a perfect indication that my hard work and active involvement was recognized and appreciated by the people at MDA. I know for a fact that this is not something they do for every volunteer, so it was a very pleasant surprise to be thanked in such a way.

Currently, the vest and my MDA uniform are hanging up in my dorm right next to my bed as a reminder of everything I accomplished this summer and everything I hope to accomplish in the future. While it still hurts my heart that this experience is now just a memory rather than a reality, I will forever be grateful for the knowledge, friendships, work ethic, and leadership that I gained from doing this. I know it's super cheesy, but I can definitely say that my summer with MDA has greatly changed me as a person and given me a whole different view on life. For example, my general level of anxiety is so much less than it used to be which is a major thing for me. One of my favorite things about the Israeli "persona" is that there is so much less panic and anxiety in the average Israeli citizen. From what I've observed, Americans are always running around, getting places half an hour early, freaking out about little things, and overcomplicating life to the point of consistent anxiety. I know this because I used to be exactly like that. In Israel, everyone seems to be in some sort of unspoken agreement that everything will just work out... and somehow it always does.
Being back in school, I have already noticed that I am much less anxious about things and when I start to feel overwhelmed or stressed about something stupid I just remind myself that everything will work out in the end- which was apparently something I needed a whole summer of ambulance service to learn. This seems like such a small thing but it has greatly impacted how I view life and overcome challenges which I am eternally grateful for.

Anyways, I truly believe that my time with MDA is not actually over. Somehow, in some way, I know that everything will work out and I'll be back for another summer, year, or maybe even a lifetime. A million thank you's to everyone from MDA Holon that welcomed me into their family, I hope you are all well and have found somebody else to cover all your night shifts. Thank you also to you for reading along (if anybody is actually still reading) and for all the support through this crazy adventure. Here's to great memories and emboldened futures! Bye!