相柔竹 Joy Shiang

JTCA Israel Study Tour Review

"Startups are like a belief.” I must have faith in what I'm doing for others to believe in me. Before going to Israel, I had many doubts about my entrepreneurial journey. However, after returning from Israel, my perspective changed significantly. Looking back on the 12 days in Israel, each day felt like a dream. Amidst the fun, I gained extensive knowledge, experienced cultural shocks, and underwent a mindset shift. Below are seven things I learned: 

1. Passion and Confidence
Watching the founders, technical staff, or even employees of startup companies speak confidently on stage, their eyes brimming with enthusiasm and their postures exuding self-assurance. They have a strong conviction in what they are working hard on, even if it's a theory that hasn't been proven successful yet. They believe they can achieve it, making them the perfect example of "Fake it till you make it."

2. Curiosity
As we wandered around, people on the street would always approach us and ask where we were from, welcoming us and even striking up conversations. In the evening, while participating in the protest march for judicial reform around Jerusalem, many others would inquire about our origin and purpose, kindly updating us on the situation of the march. I believe curiosity is a wonderful thing. When faced with something unknown, instead of spending time speculating and sometimes never finding the answers, it is better to bravely ask and seek forward.

3. Positive Attitude Towards Failure
While Israel is known as a startup nation, 95% of entrepreneurs still face failure. During the visit to the Israeli startup company, Unit, the speaker shared their own experience of entrepreneurial failure, which perfectly aligns with my imagination of the prevailing entrepreneurial culture in Israel. The speaker didn't show any signs of despair while sharing their story. Instead, she considered failure as something quite common, and she were well
aware of the reasons and shortcomings that led to it. This inspired me to be more courageous in facing challenges. If I encounter failure, I should not be afraid, as it is a natural part of being human. The crucial thing is to learn from it and make the next attempt even more successful.

4. Different Perspectives on the World
I was once shocked and saddened when visiting the Jewish Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany, and the Dachau Concentration Camp in Munich. Witnessing what the Jewish people had gone through during that time was truly heart-wrenching. However, when I visited Yad Vashem in Israel, I finally understood how they faced this historical event. I realized that different people interpret the same event differently. For instance, during my exchange program in the Netherlands, I met a German friend whose grandfather served in the military but claimed he didn't want to participate in the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Yet, at Yad Vashem, the tour guide emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting that Nazi soldiers who chose not to kill Jews would be punished. This implied that Israelis deeply believed those Nazi soldiers who carried out the killings did so willingly. From this, it became apparent that everyone tends to perceive events in a way that aligns with their beliefs, choosing to believe what they want to believe. Therefore, which perspective to believe in depends on one's critical thinking and choices.

5. Strong National Consciousness
Whenever I hear Israelis introducing Israel, they always mention phrases like "Israeli DNA," "two Jews, three opinions," and "Chutzpah." They have a deep understanding of their national characteristics and take great pride in them. I believe this is something worth learning from.

6. Israeli Diverse Spectrum
"Israel is like a prism" that reflects a vibrant array of colors, each color incompatible with the others yet closely adjacent. During the two weeks in Israel, every day brought extreme contrasts. On the streets, there were people in military uniforms carrying guns, while Orthodox Jews in black suits and hats walked by. Some street vendors were friendly and amiable, while others would easily resort to harsh words. Some spent their days praying by the Western Wall, while others were busy generating creative ideas in world-renowned startup companies. Although it is the same country, Israel possesses such contrasting cultures and customs, which left me in awe of its diversity.

7. Cultural Experience
The beaches of Tel Aviv are always brimming with vitality. Running along the Mediterranean coast in the morning is never a solitary activity; you can always spot fitness areas every few minutes. It's no wonder that everyone here seems to have a well-toned physique. In the afternoons, the beach is filled with people playing cricket and sunbathing. As evening sets in, the beach becomes a hub for skilled volleyball players, and surprisingly, they
only use body parts other than their hands to touch the volleyball. As we traveled eastward from the Mediterranean beach, it was a series of firsts – the first time riding a camel, experiencing the nomadic Bedouin camping life in the desert for a night, and lying in the sand watching the stars. Listening to our guide, Ben, telling sorrowful stories in Masada, but feeling excited and hopeful as the sunrise guided us into a brand new day. Descending along the snake trail, the words "Masada will not fall again" echoed in my mind. Passing through the vast dunes, we reached the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, where effortlessly floating on the highly dense water was an amazing experience. Heading back north to the city area of the Sea of Galilee, we visited companies and also enjoyed a thrilling jeep ride in the Golan Heights. And, of course, we experienced the most sacred day for Jews – the Sabbath.

Heading south to the capital city of Israel, Jerusalem, the Western Wall is always full of people, whether it's day or night. Walking through the Old City and the City of David, one can feel the baptism of Jerusalem's long and rich history. Occasionally, there are orchestras performing on the streets, filling the city with a leisurely blend of old vibes. I am deeply grateful for all the resources and opportunities that allowed me to experience Israel, something I might not have had the chance to do in a lifetime. Every experience felt both real and surreal - the numerous startup companies and speeches, the four workshops, two universities, and one technology transfer company. Amidst the knowledge bombardment, there were timely moments of relaxation with activities like camel riding, desert camping, Dead Sea exploration, city wandering, and beach fun. I look forward to
nurturing the essence of my experiences in Israel and transforming them into my own knowledge and abilities. I hope they will serve as stepping stones on my future entrepreneurial journey.