Lisa Eden
Mechina Year: 2012-2013
Student: Communication & Geography
Work: Make up artist
Current City: Jerusalem
Tell us about where you came from before you arrived here in Israel.
I made my Aliyah from Maryland, U.S., where I was born and raised. Back there I went to a Jewish school and attended Jewish summer camps (Young Judea). Those were the reasons that made me want to come and see Israel. After graduating from high school I attended the Young Judea One Year Program that was divided into three months volunteering, three months studying and three months of Israeli experience, and I really, really enjoyed it! I decided to stay in Israel for another year, and then another year, and finally I made Aliyah and joined the army. I served in artillery corps for two years. After my service I came to the Mechina here in the Hebrew University.
Tell us about your Aliyah procedure, the good things and the challenges you faced.
I made my Aliyah with the help of “Nefesh B’Nefesh” and “Garin Tzabar,” so I did not have many bureaucratic problems. The one thing that was, and still is very difficult, is the language… But hey, it’s okay!
What was the Mechina like for you?
It was a very fun year. The best thing was getting to know the campus, to know where I was going to the following year. What was truly amazing isthe friends I made, who are still today some of my best friends here. And it is tremendous fun!
Even though you were already a few years in Israel before the Mechina, in which way did it help you?
For me it was more to get into the student frame of mind, and to get to know this side of Jerusalem. The Mechina taught me how everything works here in the university. I certainly felt how it had helped me when I started studying the next year; the first year of university did not come as a slap on the face, but came by as smooth as you could wish for.
What are you studying today?
I am currently in my second year of my B.A in communication and geography. It is very interesting. I have always known that I wanted to work and study communication. But geography is a field of study I just found out about last year, when I had to choose a second major. I was looking for a field of study that was interesting and not common. Geography, for me, is really fascinating and interesting. I chose geography to learn more about Israel, because we learn a lot about Israel’s topography. We also take many field trips around the country- from the Dead Sea to the North. It really resonates with me because of my Zionism.
Besides your studies you are managing a business. Tell us about it and how it started.
I am a makeup artist. I took a makeup course during the second semester of the Mechina, when I decided that in addition to my studies I wanted to do something for myself that would also help me financially. I always loved to put makeup on my friends, which is something one can do together, something fun. I took my course in “ Yarin Shahaf” every Sunday in Tel Aviv. It was awesome because it became my Tel Aviv day, which meant that after class I could enjoy the beach. The thing I really love with makeup is that usually it is for weddings- I love working with brides and their friends and families. It's a great atmosphere, full of joy and excitement, and it really makes me feel good.
Mechina Year: 2012-2013
Student: Communication & Geography
Work: Make up artist
Current City: Jerusalem
Tell us about where you came from before you arrived here in Israel.
I made my Aliyah from Maryland, U.S., where I was born and raised. Back there I went to a Jewish school and attended Jewish summer camps (Young Judea). Those were the reasons that made me want to come and see Israel. After graduating from high school I attended the Young Judea One Year Program that was divided into three months volunteering, three months studying and three months of Israeli experience, and I really, really enjoyed it! I decided to stay in Israel for another year, and then another year, and finally I made Aliyah and joined the army. I served in artillery corps for two years. After my service I came to the Mechina here in the Hebrew University.
Tell us about your Aliyah procedure, the good things and the challenges you faced.
I made my Aliyah with the help of “Nefesh B’Nefesh” and “Garin Tzabar,” so I did not have many bureaucratic problems. The one thing that was, and still is very difficult, is the language… But hey, it’s okay!
What was the Mechina like for you?
It was a very fun year. The best thing was getting to know the campus, to know where I was going to the following year. What was truly amazing isthe friends I made, who are still today some of my best friends here. And it is tremendous fun!
Even though you were already a few years in Israel before the Mechina, in which way did it help you?
For me it was more to get into the student frame of mind, and to get to know this side of Jerusalem. The Mechina taught me how everything works here in the university. I certainly felt how it had helped me when I started studying the next year; the first year of university did not come as a slap on the face, but came by as smooth as you could wish for.
What are you studying today?
I am currently in my second year of my B.A in communication and geography. It is very interesting. I have always known that I wanted to work and study communication. But geography is a field of study I just found out about last year, when I had to choose a second major. I was looking for a field of study that was interesting and not common. Geography, for me, is really fascinating and interesting. I chose geography to learn more about Israel, because we learn a lot about Israel’s topography. We also take many field trips around the country- from the Dead Sea to the North. It really resonates with me because of my Zionism.
Besides your studies you are managing a business. Tell us about it and how it started.
I am a makeup artist. I took a makeup course during the second semester of the Mechina, when I decided that in addition to my studies I wanted to do something for myself that would also help me financially. I always loved to put makeup on my friends, which is something one can do together, something fun. I took my course in “ Yarin Shahaf” every Sunday in Tel Aviv. It was awesome because it became my Tel Aviv day, which meant that after class I could enjoy the beach. The thing I really love with makeup is that usually it is for weddings- I love working with brides and their friends and families. It's a great atmosphere, full of joy and excitement, and it really makes me feel good.
