At 19, She Moved to Israel Alone, to Study Life Itself

When Leora Lerer volunteered at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital during her gap year, something clicked. She hadn’t gone to Jerusalem looking for a new direction—but there it was, unfolding quietly between hospital corridors and conversations with medical staff.

“It was the first time I saw medicine up close,” she says. “The people, the stories, the commitment—it all made a deep impression on me.” That’s when biology stopped being just a subject. It became personal.

Her interest in science grew alongside something else: a connection to the country she’d come to for a short stay.

A turning point

Leora had been in Israel for only a short time when October 7 changed everything.

“It was an incredibly emotional period,” she recalls. “But what I remember most was the way people came together. There was a sense of unity and purpose that I had never experienced before.”

That sense of belonging reshaped her plans. Staying in Israel no longer felt like a bold decision—it felt natural.

Choosing a new path

Back in New York, her plans were already in motion. But as her time in Israel deepened, so did her desire to stay. When she decided to pursue her degree at Bar-Ilan, some people raised concerns—especially since she didn’t have family in the country—but others understood exactly why she was doing it.

“Some friends told me it gave them courage to think differently about their own paths,” she says.

Where learning fits your life

In the U.S., it is often difficult to balance academics with religious life. The calendar rarely made room for both school and holidays, exams and Shabbat. 

At Bar-Ilan, she found a rhythm that didn’t force her to compromise. “I felt like I could finally bring all of myself to the table—my identity, my values, my curiosity.”

Finding a place in the lab

Early on, Leora reached out to Dr. Nitzan Gonen at Gonen Labs, hoping to get involved in hands-on research. She wasn’t sure what to expect as a new undergraduate, but the response surprised her in the best way.

“They brought me into the lab and made space for me to grow,” she says. “I was guided, supported, and given meaningful work. It gave me confidence at a time when I really needed it.”

Life on campus

Leora didn’t arrive with a clear picture of what university life in Israel would look like—but she quickly discovered that campus was more than lectures and labs. Events, student groups, and conversations in every hallway brought the place to life.

“It feels like a real community,” she says. “There’s energy here. People are curious and engaged—it’s contagious.”

Starting from zero

Adjusting to a new country and culture came with its challenges. “Building a support system from scratch was hard,” she says. “It takes time to find your people.”

But little by little, she did. And the effort it took to form those friendships made them feel even more solid. “Those connections are what got me through the harder moments.”

Becoming herself

Living in Israel asked more of her—more independence, more resilience, more initiative. And over time, she noticed herself growing into someone she hadn’t fully met before.

“I’ve learned how to handle things on my own. How to speak up. How to trust myself,” she says. “That’s changed me in ways I’ll carry with me for life.”

One moment she still carries

In one of her early zoology labs, she worked on a shark dissection. It left a vivid impression—not just because of the smell, she laughs, but because of the awe she felt.

“Seeing how complex and intricate the organism was—it reminded me why I chose this path. It made everything I’d been studying feel real.”

Her advice to others

“If you're thinking about studying in Israel, have honest conversations. Ask questions. Try to understand what day-to-day life here really looks like,” she says. “It’s a meaningful experience, but it’s also intense. The more prepared you are, the easier the transition.”

If she could sit down with her younger self, just arriving at the airport, suitcase in hand?

“I’d tell her that the first days are going to feel overwhelming. She’s going to get lost, struggle with Hebrew, feel like an outsider. But I’d also tell her—hold on. Every day gets a little easier. And eventually, this place will feel like home.”