藍伊岑 Yuki Lan

Thanks to the media and various social actors shaping the cognitive model, my  impression of Israel is tanks driving through the dusty desert (which is amusingly  acknowledged and self-deprecatingly mentioned by Israelis). I expected scorching  weather, but upon arriving, I found the weather pleasantly cool, and instead of tanks  on Tel Aviv's highways, I saw the same car brands we have in Taiwan (thanks to  globalization). Without the Hebrew signs, it almost felt like I hadn't left the country. 

Start-Up Nation  

Before this trip, my impression of Israel was limited to being a religious holy land and  its history of conflicts. I had no idea it was a start-up nation until I joined the trip. In  the entrepreneurs' speeches, they all mentioned the "Israeli DNA." While I don't  believe in genetic determinism (and it seems my teammates don't either), I believe  they meant the national character developed by the Israeli people in the face of a  challenging natural and political environment, including factors like universal  conscription and the Jewish business tradition. With a relatively small population,  Israel has a well-trained and experienced military, which fosters different professional  skills through various branches, especially in high-tech fields. Many Israeli companies  are also involved in military technology. 

After witnessing the lives of start-up workers up close, I deeply admire the Israeli  entrepreneurs' passion for work and fearlessness of failure. I can't imagine dedicating  myself fully to an industry with less than a 10% success rate in the future. Even if I  don't end up in this field, their resilient and passionate approach is something worth  learning from. Additionally, their storytelling abilities are impressive. Convincing  investors or talent to commit to an unknown future heavily relies on entrepreneurs'  ability to tell captivating and credible stories. Although the workshops' content was  focused on the business domain, I believe the concepts, like Assaf's business model  canvas, are essential for any operating organization. 

A Multireligious Country  

Upon landing, we went straight to Old Jaffa, where I saw traces of various religions  and ways of life intertwined. From Jesus portraits on walls to Adhan echoing through  the area at noon, it was fascinating to witness the coexistence of different religious  and lifestyle practices in this city. Ben also explained that the name Tel Aviv signifies  both antiquity and renewal. Standing on the slope of Jaffa, I could see the high-rise 

city center ahead and the historically rich old city behind, representing Israel's  appreciation for a two-way timeline. I love hearing Israelis interpret their  surroundings, where every corner holds meaning. For example, floating orange trees  are a reminder not to lose their roots, symbolizing the connection between Israel's  rapidly developing start-ups and its deep-rooted historical culture, always looking  forward while staying true to its roots. 

The multireligious blend is reflected in present-day Israel, where different religious  rituals take place in one city, and the same religious beliefs can be found across the  secular and orthodox spectrum, with people respecting each other's faiths (at least  the people we encountered). 

A Nation Skilled at Collecting Memories  

I've always known that Jewish people have a strong sense of unity and cohesion,  overcoming tragedies like the destruction of the Temples, the diaspora, and  persecution to maintain their faith and way of life until the establishment of the state  of Israel. During this trip, I gained a deeper understanding of how Jews maintain their  cultural identity. As the guide at Yad Vashem(The Holocaust Memorial Museum) said,  "Jews are good at collecting memories." As mentioned earlier, every corner in Israel  holds meaningful stories, some born out of unfortunate circumstances. For example,  the spirit of " Masada will never fall again," stemming from tragedy, has become a  belief for the Jewish people. The Holocaust Memorial Museum made me reflect on  Taiwan's efforts in transitional justice. Many young people might only think of 228 as  a holiday, and the designs of various 228 memorial parks may not effectively  encourage reflection and prevent a recurrence of the tragedies of authoritarian rule.  In contrast, the Holocaust Memorial Museum provides an excellent example of how  a memorial should be set up. The columns in front of the Children's Memorial left a  profound impact on me. The guide explained that the varying heights of the columns  symbolize children standing in line for a group photo, while the broken columns  represent those who never grew up. A good memorial not only presents facts but  also touches people emotionally, leaving an imprint through empathy. Though  Taiwan's White Terror and the Jewish Holocaust are contextually different, the  approach to memorialization is worth emulating. Additionally, they arrange visits to  the museum for military academy students to remind them of what they fight for. I  both admire and find it regrettable – admire their powerful tradition of passing down  memories, yet realize that the path to global peace is still long.

Jerusalem  

Jerusalem, being a holy city for three religions, was undoubtedly a sacred place for  someone like me who has always been fascinated by religious and cultural heritage.  Its multireligious characteristic is even more pronounced, with residents of different  faiths living in their designated areas. Every corner holds religious significance, and  the stone-paved roads are smooth with history, truly a convergence of energies from  the three religious worlds. However, stepping foot in the holy city didn't fill me with  energy as I had expected. Instead, it evoked a sense of intriguing conflict. The image I  had constructed from textbooks was of a place glowing with golden light, perfect and  flawless. But the Jerusalem I saw was complex, winding, and full of life. Here, you  encounter all kinds of people – formally dressed orthodox Jews, tourists, street  performers, vendors, and more. It made me realize that Jerusalem is also a place  where real people live and experience life in different ways. 

Although the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was crowded with tourists and somewhat  noisy, I noticed some believers sitting quietly in unremarkable corners, meditating or  wiping away tears. At the Western Wall, as I entered the women's prayer area, I saw  many Jewish women covering their faces with Torah, fervently whispering prayers.  The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, indeed witnessed Jewish women  shedding tears, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere. These two experiences  deeply moved me. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher had no explanatory signs, and  the Western Wall itself is just a wall, proving that faith sometimes is about  reconnecting with one's inner self and connecting with the divine without the need  for elaborate interpretation. 

Breaking and Building Stereotypes  

As we flew over Kyrgyzstan on the way back, I saw a large expanse of city lights from  the window, and it reminded me that nothing compares to firsthand experience.  Knowledge itself is a form of stereotype. Geography textbooks taught us about  Central Asia's cotton fields and nomadic grazing, and my impression of it was  probably just a sparse wilderness with a few cows and sheep scattered around. Of  course, I knew that once I stepped foot on the land, I would see a different landscape  with my own eyes. Interacting with people is also similar. In the past, I assumed that  students from other departments had different values from mine, and since I had  few friends from their fields, I rarely interacted with them. However, this trip has 

allowed me to communicate with students I haven't encountered before and realize  that they are not so different after all. Even if our values don't align, everyone is  willing to open their minds and exchange ideas. Overall, this journey has been one of  breaking stereotypes. 

However, breaking one stereotype often comes with the formation of another. Our  way of getting to know Israel had its limitations. We visited successful businesses,  enjoyed delicious cuisine, and toured in safe conditions, but there's another side to  reality with protests, wealth disparities, and ongoing conflicts. Just like before leaving  the first hotel, I thought hummus was the most wonderful food in the world. The trip  also led me to think about resource wastage, from uneaten food to airplane water  and takeaway packaging. It's something we should reflect on and find ways to  improve. While grateful for my own privilege, I also hope that more students from  diverse backgrounds can participate in this program to create a more diverse  representation.