Challening but an unforgettable experience

I am from London, United Kingdom. Mechina has been a very different experience to most Gap Year programmes. Although it has been challenging as a chulnik from abroad, I feel like I have immersed into Israeli culture, and have fully engaged with Israelis by living with them for 6 months.

Every programme has its ups and downs, but what I would say about mechina is that you go through downs together as a group. Because of the intense environment and social scene, you become a whole, experiencing and growing together.

If you're looking for a programme of psychical, social and academic challenges, this is the one for you. Be prepared to be creative with activities, learn in lots of lessons and grow through leadership skills.

The programme mixes between religious and secular, however if you are not used to being with people who keep nothing then I would suggest that you should apply to the Migdal Oz (Bnei Akiva) campus.

Our day to day schedule consists of lessons, committee time and activities. The programme is based on committees; where you organise and run what goes on. The committees include: Shabbat committee, content committee, trip committee, public relations committee and IDF committee. You are in charge of your experience, dependent on whether it is appropriate, and you can choose what happens in the mechina.

Kol Ami provides a chance to connect with people from all over the world, bonding over similarities and having interesting discussions over differences. From volunteering, to tiyulim, to survival challenges and exercise classes; there is so much to enjoy with Kol Ami.

If you're looking for a challenge then this is the place for you!!