30 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Israel

Meeting "new friends" is easy. Keeping them in your life is hard. (Don’t stop searching for your people - you’ll find them but it’ll take time.)

Even though you're in a country where everyone speaks Hebrew, you won't learn it unless you really, really want to.

Lowering your standards because you're in a different country won't help you find love. It'll just make you feel used.

Public Ulpan will fail you. Pay for private.

If you say "yes" to everything, you'll burn out FAST.

Your political opinions will change the longer you live here. Even if you don't want them to.

That way-too-hot guy who hits on you at your local cafe probably doesn't want to marry you.

Work on your confidence before moving here. You'll need it, especially if you live in Tel Aviv.

Speaking of which — live in Tel Aviv for at least one year. Trust me on this one.

Never date someone just because you're new here, and lonely.

Don't expect anyone to hold your hand through the toughest moments here. Be ok with handling it alone.

You don't need connections to find a job here. Just apply to jobs on LinkedIn. Recruiters will scout you out if you're suitable for the job.

The most important step in the job interviewing process here is the test - make sure to do your best, because otherwise you WILL feel like you wasted your time for nothing.

Become very, VERY comfortable being on your own.

If he even mentions coming to his apartment for ANYTHING during or after a date, he's not serious.

Just because you're new here, doesn't mean you don't get to have an opinion.

If you can, don't sit at that table closest to the road. And if you do, be aware of your surroundings.

You'll feel safer than you ever did as a woman, walking home alone in the middle of the night. But some days, you’ll feel more un-safe than ever, in the middle of a packed club or bar.

Adopt a dog. Even if you're "not ready."

Go on at least one date with a guy who speaks very bad English. It's basically free Ulpan.

Find the most social coffee shop in your area, and go there alone as much as you can.

NEVER date the guy who says he only dates Olot... Ask yourself why that is.

Expect to lose touch with your friends from home. Your life will change so drastically, that you'll naturally just drift apart.

Make sure a guy always schedules in advance to see you.

...But go ahead and make those last-minute plans with your friends:) Reserve your spontaneity for them.

Stop worrying so much. Everything will eventually figure itself out.

You're more resilient than you think. Especially during the toughest times.

Don't give up on living here until you've spent a full year.

You'll feel over-dressed a lot of the time - if anyone makes you feel weird about it, that's on them. They're probably just jealous.

You'll never become "like the Israeli girls" but you will become more you. The real, genuine you. And that's so much more worth

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