陳姿妤 Amy Chen
JTCA Israel Study Tour Review
In retrospect, I wrote down in my motivation letter: I hope that one day my ideas and solutions could improve existing services or become a beneficial business model to help others. During my learning progress, I constantly felt lost, and failed to confidently share my goals like others could. I didn’t quit learning or become numb to my surroundings. With the thought that I might never get another chance to visit Israel, I decided to apply for this study tour. After experiencing a 12-day journey in Israel, what I witnessed and encountered far exceeded my expectations!
｜Confidence & Presentation skills
Our guide, any employee in companies we visited, or even the 14-year-old boy I met during the protest could express their ideas succinctly. They were able to give their speech with relaxed body language and eyes filled with confidence and charisma. Here I would like to give two examples:
1. The CEO of Incredo Sugar used remarkably clear and simple language to explain their product. He always answers the question straight forward. He even said that making "Burning" changes to "Earning" is the first challenge every startup company will face and so does Incredo Sugar. I admire that he is not afraid of telling the truth and problems.
2. When Inziv was asked how they managed to raise funding before being sure about their technology, their response was, "Even though we are not sure, we believe in ourselves and we are confident in front of our investors." This was a strong punch. I am a person who used to hate the Q&A when giving presentations at school. Despite being well-prepared, I always felt anxious about giving the “best response.”
These two impressive experiences made me reflect on the need to adjust my mindset. I should accept the possibility of being challenged.
｜Diverse perspectives and critical thinking
This trip to Israel is a training of critical thinking for me. While absorbing various knowledge, I constantly reflect on different perspectives and embrace the complexity of Israel. On the first day, when we visited Old Jaffa, our guide, Ben, took us to gaze at Tel Aviv. He explained the meaning of its name, which represents the fusion of ancient history and future innovation. As Israelis rapidly develop their
technology, they never forget their cultural heritage that spans thousands of years.
During the first class, Assaf shared an interesting perspective with us. He said that Israel is like a prism, refracting various colors of light, and what you see depends on the angle you choose. He encouraged us to discover different aspects and find entirely new viewpoints. Perhaps, this habit, deeply rooted in their DNA, allows Israelis to find the gap and seize opportunities.
When we visited Yad Vashem and heard about the history of the Jewish Holocaust, we can also hear different interpretations from the tour guides and locals. Throughout this journey, all these diverse viewpoints have enriched my understanding of Israel's history and society.
｜Mindset: Embrace competition and failure
“Always start with something that has been created.”
“Start! It will be ok!”
“We are Passionate and Energetic”
The Israelis DNA, I believe, is a result of their education and dedicated way of life. As I step into each business office, I am greeted by an energetic vibe and a comfortable working environment. Many Israelis have experience in entrepreneurship, and they have faced numerous failures. However, they hold onto their beliefs and dream big. They conceive strategy and try their best to make it practical. Even in the face of future competition and the possibility of failure, they approach challenges with a positive attitude. Their resilience and determination inspire me! Moreover, having 29 peers passionately engaged in discussions made me look forward to experiencing the next day.
｜Precious cultural experiences
The Israeli culture offers an abundance of topics for discussion, making it challenging to write in words. I must admit, I have been somewhat indifferent toward Taiwan's politics and international affairs. In Israel, I noticed how well people know about their national characteristics. They can effortlessly engage in conversations and share their insights. I feel fortunate to have experienced protests in Israel, walking alongside the demonstrators, inquiring about their slogans and signs, observing the communication between protesters and police, and listening to the locals explain Israel’s politics. These experiences connected the stories Ben shared with us at Masada. Israelis keep in mind that "Masada will not fall again." They take issues to
the streets, they beat drums, they chant, all to fight for their beliefs and demands.
Israelis are curious about everything, they are energetic, and they hold lots of ideas. As I walked along the streets, locals are willing to have conversations with me. During the 12-day journey, I conversed with local middle school students, university students, journalists, and elderly souvenir shop owners, and even Palestinians. In Israel, despite being in the same country, I can observe diverse lifestyles, from people jogging by the beach in the morning, casually dressed office workers, and orthodox Jewish believers dressed in suits. I opened my senses to experience everything Israel offered me.
During these 12 days in Israel, I can feel strong motivation start rooting in my heart. Apart from being surrounded by 29 passionate peers, another significant reason was being immersed in Israel. My head kept coming up with ideas, prompting me to write them down in my notebook. I am truly grateful for the resources and opportunities we have had, which allowed me to experience many wonderful things (riding a camel, staying in a Bedouin tent, and floating in the Dead Sea for the first time). This study tour serves as the perfect example of learning and gaining energy from travel. Initially, I mentioned the feeling of not having a chance to visit Israel again, but now I have changed my perspective. I don’t want to set boundaries and limit myself. Perhaps, one day, I truly will set foot on this land of Israel again!
