Reflections on My Time at Hebrew University
Sarah Wilner, Israel
While I was in my last year of my undergraduate year at McGill University in Montreal, I decided that I wanted to spend the following year abroad.
I learned about the international MA program at Hebrew University and looked into it. It looked fascinating and an incredible experience, both living in Jerusalem and studying at the same time. I decided to apply for one year of graduate studies in 2000 and got it! I then applied and was awarded a CFHU scholarship. The scholarship enabled me to go to Hebrew University and study without thinking about financial issues.
Little did I know that the decision to go to Jerusalem for a year would change the direction of my life forever!
Originally, I decided to come for only a one-year graduate program, but while studying in Jerusalem, I decided to continue my studies and finish the MA program.
These two years at Hebrew University and in Jerusalem allowed me to experience exciting new opportunities, whether it was to learn and live in a completely new language, study with very interesting and world-renowned professors, and meet and make life-long friendships with Israelis and international students.
It really was the chance of a lifetime. After finishing my MA program in 2004, I went back to Canada, but couldn’t leave Israel behind, and a year later made aliya and moved to Israel to build a life. 20 years later, I’m still in Israel, and every day still experiencing new and exciting challenges and opportunities!
Sarah is currently the Deputy Director of The Golda Meir MASHAV “Carmel” International Training Center (MCTC) in Haifa, Israel.
