Sam Morrow – Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi 2012

"I chose to do Garin Tzabar since I would be able to make Aliyah and draft into the army with fellow Lone Soldiers and that we would all be going through the same difficulties"

“My first time in Israel, without my family, was when I came for a gap-year program. While living in Israel that year I realized it was the first time I truly felt at home. It was always my dream to serve in the IDF but being in Israel cemented my decision to join the IDF, to serve and protect the Jewish nation. My decision to make Aliyah wasn’t easy. I knew that I would be leaving my life in the US and moving away from my parents, but it was worth it.

I made Aliyah in the winter of 2012 through Garin Tzabar. My Garin was placed on Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi in the Jordan value. I served as a commander in the 401st Shiryon Brigade. I chose Shiryon because I wanted to draft into a unit where I would be around less lone soldiers, specifically English speakers, so I would be more immersed in Hebrew. I knew that Shiryon would have a very technical high level of Hebrew that in the long run would help me integrate better into Israeli society.

I chose to do Garin Tzabar since I would be able to make Aliyah and draft into the army with fellow Lone Soldiers and that we would all be going through the same difficulties. It was an amazing experience and my Garin family helped me through the hard times in my service. I finished my service after 3 significant and intense years.

I am now studying Computer Science in the International Program at IDC and I have just completed my first year.”