Student Profiles
Toby Lawhon and his sister Haley stand on top of the old city wall in front of Jerusalem’s city skyline during his family’s Christmas visit.
Travel as much as possible and participate in as many events as you can. Living your life abroad is fascinating and good for everyone.”
Toby Lawhon
Toby’s majors: Religious Studies and Jewish Studies
Year/term abroad: Academic Year 2007–2008
Reason you chose this program: I chose Jerusalem because I’m a religious studies major and Jerusalem is holy to three religions. There’s lots of history and politics as well.
Favorite classes: I had two favorite classes. Contemporary Israeli Identity and a case study of the Ethiopian Jews.
Housing situation: I lived in an apartment off campus, a short walk from the college. I lived with a Dutch guy, an Italian girl, and an American.
Best memory: Traveling. When I was in Jordan on Yom Kippur I met guys in a coffee shop and they took us all around the city, to restaurants, ice cream shops and they bought us tea and coffee.
Greatest challenge: Seeing the effects of conflict and suffering. Hearing stories. I was never in direct danger but it was difficult seeing what people live like every day.
Biggest Surprise: The desert is awesome! It’s really enchanting. It’s very cool. The temperature drops at night and it’s very soothing.
Culture shock vs. reverse culture shock: While I was in Jerusalem, my parents moved from our home in the United States. Going back to South Carolina was like doubling the trauma of reverse culture shock. I wasn’t really “home” even when I returned. I really looked forward to going home and seeing my family, but I’m still dealing with some reverse culture shock.
What I wish I knew before I left: I wish I had known the dollar was going to drop into the abyss. I would have budgeted the dollar at a lesser value.
Fact about Israel that you think people would be surprised to learn: Israeli security is one of the safest in the world. Bags are checked in almost all public places, including shops and banks.
