Throughout my time in Israel and Jordan, I cultivated my passion for history and religion. As a result of my preparation for study in Israel and my time abroad, I have discovered my passion for the Middle East and the Christians of that region. I have also developed a parallel interest in the Byzantine Empire and the Crusades, which I was also able to explore through the various sites we visited. As a result, I have altered my direction in life.

Originally, I was a behavioural sciences major; however, as of the fall of 2007, officially added a second major: history. I am also planning to apply for graduate studies in history in the fall of 2009. I have not yet decided which aspect of history I will focus on, but I am confident that the Middle East will have something to do with my future research.

At present, I am looking into learning Arabic and possibly Hebrew and Greek to prepare myself for the tasks that lie ahead. Needless to say, my ventures in Israel and Jordan have made a great impact on my life. I have a love for the people of the Middle East and a heart for the victims of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Now, more than a year later, I am still processing my trip and I expect that that will not stop for quite some time.