Hello all! Many of you have such amazing questions and we (mods) are happy to answer them all to the best of our ability. However, there are simply some things you won't encounter until you're on the trip.
This is not all about having fun!
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We love when you all get to relax and have fun (nights out, room parties, karaoke nights, etc..) however, this is not a vacation where we take you to spots for your instagram profile and then let you shop for the rest of the day. Our itineraries are education based and that is definitely where we put most of our energy. This is not to say that you won't have the opportunity to get at least one good pic a day, but remember that your itineraries are very tight and making changes to them can be like pulling teeth (but we will do it for you if we can!). Remember, in most cases when your staff says it is okay, you can drink, but don't get drunk!
Please be punctual!
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We communicate with you when the schedule changes (and give as much warning as posisble), so please do us the same kindness by being on time to meeting places. This starts long before the trip, all the way to when you have to submit your passport information. Arriving at the airport on time is crucial. Being on the bus on time lets us give you more free time if it is available as well!
Distance is NOT a bad thing!
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Distance means a couple things here. When you arrive on a Birthright trip, we, as your staff, begin watching how the group interacts together. Groups that have unmarried couples (dating), groups of friends, and groups of family members can be quite problematic for everybody involved. Anything from rooming, to bus seating, and split-group activities have proven to be more difficult to organize because many people prefer to stay with their friend/family member/significant other when the point of Birthright is to create connections in your regional community.
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Distance also relates to your personal electronics in many cases. I've seen so many participants miss so much of Israel because they stare at their social media on hikes or even just on short bus rides. Many of you ask about bringing your laptops for work or school, but in reality, you don't necessarily have the time to take care of that on a trip, and if you find the time, you may be missing time with your group or missing out on Shabbat (naps, food, and relaxing time).
The little things are meaningful!
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Sometimes we forget how meaningful the things like Shabbat and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony are. Not disregarding my previous statement, but your meaningful moments can be found anywhere! My most meaninful memories during these trips have been late-night walks around the hotel. Some participants most value the time spent with the "mifgashim" (the Israeli participants). Do not hesitate to make moments count. We are constantly going on these trips and it can be easy to get caught up in the rush.
Communication is key!
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As a representative of some of your staff, we want to hear from you! Don't like a roommate? Don't like the way we handled a situation? Curious about the current state of affairs? Simply just need a reminder to fill your water bottle in the morning? We've got you! But we can't do anything to help you enjoy your trip if you don't talk to us. We are easily accessible for this reason alone. As for myself, I want to know how and were I can improve before the end of the trip.
Your Tour Guide and American Staff make the difference between trips
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Just as with teachers, Birthright tour guides (or “tour educators” in Birthright parlance) can vary. Some are more articulate, some less. Some are newer and seem to be more invested in giving participants a great experience, and some are more tired and weatherworn, having staffed dozens of trips. Some organizers select U.S. staffers who are very educated in terms of Israel and Judaism, and some have very little background and know very little Hebrew. Birthright Fellows is a training program that aims to better prepare and educate U.S. staffers for their Birthright trips. Yet not all staffers are fellows. Having experienced, educated and spirited staffers can mean a totally different experience for participants than the opposite.
Yes, this is a longer article, but we want you to be prepared for the trip of a lifetime! Continue to ask questions!!!!
-Gilah
