Safe, Transformative, and Unforgettable: Why This is the Best Study Abroad Experience for Your Teen

As parents, we make countless decisions to set our children up for success. We spend years guiding their education, fostering their talents, and preparing them for their future. But there’s one transformative experience many parents overlook: unlocking their teenager’s academic potential and independence in a way only a study abroad experience can.

For most Jewish parents whose children attend public schools, a semester at our Alexander Muss High School in Israel offers a profound, life-changing experience. It’s about empowering our teenagers with the knowledge, confidence, and independence they need to navigate an increasingly complex world—especially on today’s college campuses.

Understandably, one of the first questions parents ask is about safety. However, I guarantee you that your teenager’s biggest concern will involve choosing between sushi at Shuk HaCarmel or artisanal pizza at a local café—not navigating political conflict. Israel is a place like no other where teens can focus on growth, education, and exploration in Muss’ nurturing environment.

If you want to talk about an area of conflict, it’s a lot closer to home. Many U.S. college campuses have become increasingly polarized, with misinformation and bias against Israel often leaving Jewish students feeling isolated, discriminated against, or unprepared. A semester at Muss equips students to understand their heritage, engage confidently with others, and approach these situations with poise and knowledge.

Muss doesn’t just prepare students academically; it instills a sense of resilience and responsibility. During their semester, students travel the length and breadth of Israel, exploring 4,000 years of their history where it happened. They delve into subjects like philosophy, sociology, and literature while fostering a deep connection to their Jewish identity and heritage. This immersive education equips them with critical thinking skills and a global perspective—qualities that set them apart when applying to top universities.

The academic rigor at Muss is unparalleled. It’s not a “vacation semester.” Your teenager will return home more engaged, self-motivated, and prepared for college than ever before. Alumni often describe Muss as the turning point in their academic careers, a place where they learned to manage their time, think independently, and embrace new challenges. These are skills that colleges value and that will serve your child for life.

Muss Alum also return home with a zest for leadership – a skillset they gain from experiential learning opportunities where they discover their inner strength, creativity, and intellectual curiosity.

However, their time at Muss is about more than academics. It’s about growth. Your child will come back with a newfound sense of independence, lifelong friendships, and an unshakable connection to their Jewish identity. They’ll experience a safe, positive environment while learning what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.

By sending your teenager to Muss, you’re giving them a gift—one that prepares them not just for college, but for life. You’re giving them the tools to thrive, the confidence to lead, and the strength to stand tall in the face of adversity. The question isn’t whether Israel is the right place for your child. The question is: can they, as the future leaders of our people, afford not to have this opportunity?

For information about our Dream Israel initiative, where students can earn up to $7,500 towards an approved study abroad experience in Israel, visit jnf.org/dreamisrael. For more information about Muss, visit amhsi.org or email discover@amhsi.org