詹宜儒 Emily Chan

Startup Nation 

One of the impressions I had about Israel before coming here was that it's a Startup Nation. During this visit, I've explored numerous startup companies and attended lectures about Israel's startup scene, and I discovered that the title "Startup Nation" was built through collaborative efforts involving the government, academia, and private sector. Startups initially require capital to gradually develop their technology or business models, and the Israeli government provides assistance (financially or with resources) to help these companies stabilize and continue their technological advancements. 

Moreover, the model of direct collaboration between technology transfer companies and universities enables research institutions to successfully transform technology into profitable business models and identify practical applications. I believe this is a crucial aspect of technological development, as it allows promising technologies to catch the attention of investors and continue growing with financial support. 

Finally, I think the overall societal acceptance of startups and willingness to embrace new ventures play a significant role. The path of entrepreneurship is fraught with unknowns and uncertainties, and it involves not just success but also hidden failures. However, what I sensed from these startups is that they are willing to embrace this uncertainty and consider failure as a part of growth. Moreover, the government's investment in startup funding gives them the confidence to take risks. This positive feedback loop has contributed to Israel earning the title of a Startup Nation. 

Cultural Aspect 

During this trip, I had many opportunities to experience the local atmosphere of Israel and engage in conversations with the locals, which gave me a different perspective on Israeli culture and its people. 

● Hospitality and Friendliness 

I tried to strike up conversations with locals, discussing their thoughts on their country and daily life. I found that most people were very willing to share and patiently explain things I didn't understand. While in Jerusalem, I saw many Orthodox believers wearing garments with tassels. Out of curiosity, I approached one elderly gentleman and asked about the significance of the tassels. He patiently explained the connection to biblical figures and enthusiastically recommended places we should visit in Jerusalem. On another occasion, I met two grandmothers who didn't speak much English. Despite the language barrier, I could sense their eagerness to communicate and have a chat. The people I encountered here truly made me feel their warmth and friendliness. 

● Willingness to Explore 

This characteristic might be related to the Chutzpah spirit they often talk about. Parents in Israel seem eager to let their children experience new things. In the parks, I saw many kids running around, chatting with unfamiliar children, and playing with other people's dogs. Their parents didn't intervene, allowing the children to explore on their own. I even came across a towering three-story-high slide, and in the evening, many kids were climbing up and down it fearlessly. In Taiwan, parents might be more cautious about the potential dangers and prevent their children from taking such risks. While ensuring the safety of the children is important, it also means they miss out on many opportunities for exploration.

Travel Insights 

Real Experiences, Shattering Preconceptions 

Before coming to Israel, I had heard many rumors and impressions about the place, such as Israelis being assertive and straightforward in their speech, taking pride in their military service, having high English proficiency, and everyone being able to speak English casually. There was also the belief that Israel is highly tolerant towards Judaism. These ideas were quite different from what I knew about Taiwan, and I was eager to see for myself and verify these things. However, when I arrived in Israel and actually engaged in conversations with locals, I discovered that many things were different from what I had imagined. For instance, Israelis were not as direct as I had heard, and even in discussions where differing opinions were expressed, people were not interrupted or dismissed. Moreover, not everyone had a positive view of conscription, and some did not take pride in their military experience. When it came to discussing Israel as a country of Jewish faith, there were individuals who held negative attitudes towards it. All of these differences shattered my preconceived notions and reshaped my understanding of this place. 

This journey made me reflect on how we often label things and simplify matters to reduce the impact of encountering new things. Our understanding of the world is easily influenced by past impressions or ideas, and we tend to make judgments based on surface-level observations. However, to truly comprehend the essence of things, we need to collide with and experience them firsthand. If we give up opportunities to experience new things due to preconceived notions, we risk becoming entrenched in our beliefs without truly understanding the depth of the matter. 

I hope that in the future, when encountering new experiences, I will give myself more opportunities to try and learn. I am grateful that Israel provided me with numerous opportunities for thought-provoking encounters.