When most people plan their spring break, they automatically think about lying out on a sunny beach and relaxing; however, my spring break this year was very different. I signed up for a Jewish National Fund Alternative Spring Break trip. At first glance, the trip was just another excuse to get to travel to Israel at a low cost, but now that the trip is over, I can honestly say that my spring break was so much more.

I arrived at the airport Saturday evening extremely nervous, not knowing what I was about to do for the next week. We were given a basic itinerary, but still I had little knowledge about the trip. After a long, 10-hour flight, we arrived in Tel Aviv, and we were off. Little did I know, that I was about to experience some of the best seven days of my life.

Every day, we volunteered at a different Jewish National Fund site, ranging from gardening at a boarding school for kids who have troubled homes, to clearing a nature walk for people with autism, and even to clearing a portion of the hike that spans the entirety Israel. At every site, I learned more about who I am as a person and what I am passionate about. It was amazing to talk to these kids who have such difficult lives, yet are so happy. I realized that we can not take everything for granted because within a blink of an eye it could be all gone.

This trip wasn't just volunteering; we also did some sightseeing and learned about Israel's history, while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Instead of just learning about the detention camps that Jewish refugees were put in to prevent them from entering the country, we got to see one of the detention camps and go on a replica of the boat where these people spent months.

This trip allowed me to see Israel in a different light. Rather than just doing the typical touristy things, the JNF trip showed our group that there is more that that to do in Israel. Many people consider Israel to be their second home, yet when they visit, all they do is tour the country. If you consider Israel your home, shouldn't you be improving it? This trip gave me the opportunity to do just that. By doing hands-on work, I was able to connect with the land in a deeper way than I ever could have imagined. I look forward to the day when I will bring my own family to Israel and show them, with a great sense of pride, the places where I contributed to making the country a better place.