Currently: Noga is in Nice, France, for a volunteer gap year before her military service, working for the Jewish Agency guiding activities and creating events for youth, as well as for the entire community and in the synagogue. 

The GHIS impact: Her first response to this question was, “I would definitely do it again!” She talks about how she learned to be independent and manage by herself. She emphasizes that she was never alone, because there were always supportive people around. But it was also an opportunity for her to find the strength inside of herself to take care of herself, to figure out how to manage her time, as well as to excel in the challenging IB studies. 

GHIS friendships: Like so many of her GHIS peers, Noga says that the friendships she made at GHIS are the closest in her life and she is thankful to have them. Reflecting on this, she noted that the things they experienced together, including her cohort being on-campus together during COVID and helping each other since their families were so far away were key points; “you learn to find strength in the people around you.”

The GHIS support system: In addition to her peers, Noga says that she was impressed by how the teachers and the staff were so supportive, without the students even knowing all the things that they did to make their time at GHIS so rewarding and seamless. 

Looking ahead: She’s thinking of two possible career paths: either studying and working in international relations or in education. Either way, she’s going to apply what she’s learned at GHIS. 

Summing up 2 years: “Transforming!” is the word she chose. She talks about GHIS giving students the space they needed to take the initiative and not just wait around for things to happen. For example, she was on the Leadership Council and appreciated being heard by the principal and the other adults. She says, “it was unexpected–it was a choice that they gave us and I really valued that and grew from it.”