Life in any place that’s not your own can feel weird and different, and Israel is no exception. With its rich history, Israel is home to a melting pot of cultures and traditions, making it a unique yet close-to-home place for many.

If you’re worried about sticking out like a sore thumb on your trip to Israel, we’ve got you covered. Here are some common culture shocks you might face that you can mentally prepare yourself for.

Israelis Are Family-Oriented

Moving away from your home at 18 may be a norm in the West, but other countries don’t share the same sentiment. In fact, while Americans may see their family once in six months, Israelis are way more regular with trips to the family home.

In Israel, seeing your family at least once a week is considered a norm. With the whole family gathering around for Shabbat, you’ll find yourself in the presence of a very joyous environment that never grows old. Immediately meeting the family is not seen as a taboo for new couples or friends, and you’ll find yourself accepting invitations to family events more often than you expected.

Israel Has Delicious Food

Israeli cuisine is a delight for any food enthusiast in the world. While the obvious choices of hummus and falafel are going to be on the top of your list, there is much more to explore in The Promised Land!

Along with scrumptious middle eastern food, you’ll also find that Israel has a delicious assortment of Italian cuisine! And if that wasn’t surprising enough, they also enjoy fresh sushi, which is widely available. Naturally, pork is hard to come by. But we’re sure you can find your way to a good non-kosher spot if you’re really cravin’ some bacon.

Hebrew Can Be Confusing

Hearing foreign languages can be a jarring experience for many. Especially a language as commanding in nature as Hebrew. While many foreigners may consider Hebrew ‘brash’, that’s just a misconception due to language barriers!

Hebrew has a more straightforward linguistic style than English. So, while you may decline someone offering food with a “no, thank you!”, people in Israel will tend to go with a more direct “lo” which means no. However, it’s important to note that Israelis are some of the kindest people you will come across. Instead of professing kindness in language, they believe in doing so through their actions, which is always apparent in their kind and hospitable treatment towards guests.

If you want to navigate Israel with ease, we recommend that you start learning Hebrew! It’s a beautiful language with an easy learning curve. If you would like to invest in Hebrew language learning in USA, get in touch with us at Ulpan-Or. We provide immersive Hebrew language courses with native teachers and students. And to start you off, we’re offering a 25% discount on our beginner-friendly online classes till the end of January. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our Hebrew language instruction institution!