I Told My Parents I Want to Study in ISRAEL | Brainlyne Podcast l Ep. 3

Summary

Dua, a 19-year old Moroccan student, shares her journey studying abroad in Israel and Palestine for two years at a boarding school focused on conflict resolution and sustainability. She discusses her motivations, the application process, reactions from family and friends, experiences on campus and with the conflict, and how it shaped her worldview and college applications. She offers advice on staying resilient through the US college application process, being authentic, playing to your strengths like languages, and ultimately credits her open-mindedness to her unique high school experience.

Takeaways

• 😊 Dua studied at a Spanish school in Morocco but wanted a different educational experience so she applied to boarding schools abroad
• 👩‍🎓 Dua was rejected from United World College twice before being accepted to a boarding school in Israel on a scholarship
• 🚀 Dua had to justify her reasons for studying in Israel to friends given political tensions, emphasizing it was for educational purposes
• 🌍 At the boarding school, Dua bonded with diverse students over discussing various global conflicts and perspectives
• 💥 Dua experienced tense moments during bomb threats but felt safe in bunkers and with Israel's defense system
• 📚 The school took students on trips to borders and conflict areas to learn historical and political contexts
• 🎓 In her second year, Dua focused more on college applications than absorbing from school due to application stress
• ✈️ Dua applied to various colleges abroad requiring financial aid and got into Middlebury College with an 80% scholarship
• 👩‍💼 Dua wants to major in international relations and languages to become a diplomat in the future
• 💡 Dua advises students to be themselves, follow their passions and not compare themselves to others in college applications

Q & A

Where did Dua study before going to the boarding school in Israel?

Dua studied at the Spanish School of Casablanca in Morocco since kindergarten.

Why did Dua decide to leave her school in Morocco?

Dua was not satisfied with the educational system and the experiences she was having. She wanted to broaden her horizons and see something new.

What was the application process like for the boarding school in Israel?

The application process was similar to applying to a US university. Dua had to write essays, provide extracurriculars, and go through two interviews.

How did Dua first tell her parents that she wanted to study in Israel?

Dua first told her parents she wanted to study in Israel when she got her acceptance letter and scholarship. This was while they were sitting at the lunch table after Dua finished her classes.

What languages does Dua speak?

Dua speaks English fluently. She also learned some German and Russian in school.

What was Dua's experience like hearing missile sirens and having to go to bunkers?

Dua says she was never scared because Israel has defense mechanisms like bunkers and sirens. She went to the bunker when sirens sounded, including during final exams.

Where did Dua apply to university?

Dua applied to schools in the US, the Netherlands, France, and Qatar. She got into Middlebury College in the US.

What does Dua plan to study at Middlebury College?

At Middlebury, Dua plans to major in international relations and Russian, and possibly Arabic as well.

What are Dua's career goals after graduating?

Dua hopes to become a diplomat after graduating. Her dream is to work at the United Nations.

What advice does Dua have for students applying to US universities?

Dua advises students not to compare themselves to others and to focus on showing their unique passions and interests in applications.