Kol Ami Mechina Leadership Gap Year in Israel

I love this program! It is different and crazy and intense and funny all at once. I got to know amazing people here, we go through a-lot together, we learn and play and laugh and cry together. The program is very interesting, we have great lecturers, lessons, activities, we travel and go on adventures and all of that in such a short amount of time. I believe this program will benefit me and all my friends a lot, we will be prepared for life and for the army, will gain skills, abilities and powers that we will carry along for a long long time. I really suggest to do that, if you are curious to learn, to become a better version of yourself, to develop and open your mind.

Overall the experience I have had so far has been great. It’s a huge way to build your resume. Personally I took it as a way to mature and create connections with people. Overall this has worked very well with my overall views of making connections and mature in a great way in a different place then you usually are in, it takes you out of your comfort zone. Personally I think this program helps with people making a mature way of learning and helps you grow as a person as well. Hopefully by reading this you find interest in joining and coming to the mechinas.

I’m just finishing my second month at Kibbutz Amir. The mechina I am in is a mix of mechina Galil Elyon and Kol Ami. It has been absolutely fantastic so far. We have a very intense schedule and are constantly doing things but it is amazing. If you were to tell past me how much I’d be cleaning I’d say it doesn’t sound fun or meaningful but everything is done in really the perfect leadership way. Almost all of what we do in the mechina is led and planned by the chanichim. Recommend strongly to anyone who is willing to put in effort and not just lazy fun.

This program is the best program, it’s help you to know Israeli mentally, meet new friends and learn more about yourself. It also helps you learn about how you work best in a group as well as how you can benefit groups with what you know best. Connecting with others from different places are a lot of fun and you really get to learn how other people similar to you live there life. The connections are one of the best parts of coming to a mechina. These are your forever friends and the bonds are amazing

If you want to be placed in a new environment outside your comfort zone, meet new people, get to know Israel/Israeli society and culture, and volunteer, this mechina is for you. I made a lot of connections, had a lot of good times, and became a more mature/independent person. If you’re looking for a summer camp or something easy, this is NOT for you, but if you want a challenging experience where you can gain a lot from it, this is perfect for you. I am writing this sentence so that I can get the minimum amount of characters.

The perfect place to meet new people from Israel and abroad and experience with them one of the most empowering experiences you can have. The Mechina I was in is only half a year and after a week I started to regret not registering for a hole year.
If you love your life and want to experience something awesome Beyond imagination go to Mechina and especially Kol Ami.
Meet lifelong friends and experience with them crazy and irrationally empowering experiences. Learn a lot about Judaism and the State of Israel and in addition experience volunteering for the community and contributing to the environment. The group is small but here the advantage is a crazy feeling of family and no one wants to go home. After just one week here feeling like you've known each other for 19 years is a crazy thing to live and experience with people you actually know nothing about!

This program (being the Mechina collaboration with the Gail Elyon Mechina organization on Kibbutz Amir) is really well built to intensely prepare you for success in the world and ease the transition between army and home life. It is intended to challenge and push all of its participants while allowing them to connect with Israelis and see a different side of the country. Amidst the challenges you make invaluable life-long connections, laugh a ton, and sleep very little. The Mechina has workouts that keep you in shape and forces you to learn not only how yo advocate for yourself and take charge of your own life but also how to be a part of a group dependent on you and your ability to deliver. You are both independent and depended on by everyone. I personally have gained so much from the difficulty of the program and the challenge has helped me forge really deep connections with other participants.