By Joel Portman, St. Louis – Ben Gurion University of the Negev Overseas Students Program
In 2005 I traveled to Poland and Israel with United Synagogue Youth (USY), one of two Jewish youth groups I was a part of, along with BBYO. The five weeks I spent in Israel were some of the best of my life. But it wasn’t enough—I wanted more and I knew I would have to return.
I spent five months studying at the Masa Israel supported program at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev from the end of July to the end of December 2008. I attend the University of Denver where approximately 70% of the undergraduate students study abroad – so I knew I would be spending part of...









