Reflectoins on my Israel Experience ? BUSINESS, INNOVATION ...

I am still trying to process all the information I have taken in over the past week, but I feel like I am finally starting to internalize what it is that makes Israel such a special place.? The transition in my head from reading and hearing about Israeli start up culture, to actually seeing it has been enlightening.

The first place on the trip that had a real impact on my understanding was Google, and for a very particular reason.? Google has just opened an incubator, using their time and resources, to encourage start-ups.? And the crazy part is that they receive no direct benefit.? I kept pushing Amir, our host at Google, to explain what Google got out of it, why would a company sponsor such a problem and get nothing in return?? I pushed and pushed, surely at least Google planned to buy out the new firms created there at least? But every angle I could take Amir refuted, saying it is simply to encourage innovation.? To me this was amazing, a company sacrificing both physical and human capital simply for the sake of innovation, but it came to make more and more sense as the week progressed.

Better place and the Gift Project were another two of the more enlightening visits for me personally, because they were proof of the success of a dream, late stage start ups, which a couple years ago were just ideas bouncing around people?s heads.? The Star Wars-esque projection of Shai Aggasi and the presentation of Ron Gura from their respective institutions are both people I have come to personally admire, because they remind me of the success that can come from taking chances, something I believe people back home are too hesitant to do.? As a college student, the difference in culture became clear to me through the expected trajectory of students.? Back home our four years are spent getting good grades, and doing all we can to get a good job.? In Israel you spend your four years hoping to create your job.? I understand this is a generalization, but more than anything this is the example I have internalized the most when I try and put my finger on the cultural difference.

After a busy sleepless week busing around from meeting to meeting, it was quite relaxing to stop and tour Jerusalem.? Jerusalem added a whole new layer to my understanding of Israel.? During the week it was easy to ignore the history and culture of Israel, in a more secular Tel Aviv.? When we arrived at the western wall for Shabbat I was a little grumpy and grumbly, wet and cold from the rain, but walking up to the wall, there was a large group of soldiers singing and dancing and laughing in the rain, who totally turned my spirits around.? Seeing the ancient heritage and culture still alive in the soldiers, the young, upcoming generation, showed me the other side of this modern, hi-tech society.? In Israel the two co-exist harmoniously.

This past week has given me first hand insight into this unique culture, even with all its problems Israel is thriving, innovating for the future.? This trip has renewed my energy to keep taking risks, and shown me first hand that what I dream up in my head can actually become something great.

Alex ? Olin Business School ? Freshman ? New York

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Source: http://olinbizinisrael.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/reflectoins-on-my-israel-experience/

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