Have you ever wondered about the life of a teenager in Israel? Americans are so accustomed to the life in the United States, it is hard sometimes to imagine how life in other countries can vary. While a typical day in Israel is not so different from one in St. Louis, there are some aspects of Jewish Israeli life that are rather dissimilar to life here.

For starters, the school year in Israel is different. Israeli high schoolers are on break during holidays, and summer break begins and ends later than in most American schools.

“The school year starts Sept. 1,” said Shira Aviv, a senior who moved from St. Louis to Israel a year and a half ago. “Usually the last day of school is in the middle of June.”

In high school, Israeli Jews are required to attend some classes that are not even offered in most American schools, such as Tanach (Bible). In addition to all their regular classes, Israeli high schoolers must choose two megamot (majors).

“A megama is a group of people you learn with, eight to 12 hours a week,” Shira said. “It is at a five-point level, which is the highest. I chose to take dance, because it was something I love to do, and biology, because it interests me.”

For many classes in high school, Israelis take a long final standardized test called a bagrut. Passing the bagruyot is required to graduate from high school and receive a diploma. These test scores are also one of the requirements for university applications. Each bagrut tests one subject and covers the material from all four years of high school. Students decide at what level they want to learn each subject, with five being the highest level.

“Every student has to take at least one bagrut at a five-point level,” explained another Israeli named Yael Cohen. “In the end of 12th grade, you should receive the results of all your tests, and the average of those is going to help you get into a university. And if you learn some specific things, like computers or Arabic, it will help you get a good job in the army.”

In a way, bagruyot replace the standardized tests that American teenagers take. Bagruyot can help universities compare students from different schools with each other.

In all Israeli high schools, physical education is required. The approach in most Israeli high schools, however, is very different than that of American high schools.

“[It’s] more like physical training because it is also prep for the army in a way,” Shira said. “We don’t play games like they do in America. Sometimes we literally come to class and run the whole time.”

Most schools in Israel run six days a week — every day except Shabbat. Shabbat itself is very different in Israel than in St. Louis.

“You almost don’t see any cars on Shabbat,” Shira said. “Everyone is at the parks. And everything is closed. But it’s nice.”

Gali Sundy, another St. Louis teen who moved to Israel last summer, reflected on Shabbat in her new home. She said that Shabbat in Israel is truly unique.

“[It] is really cool because it really feels like it’s Shabbat,” Gali said. “And it really feels like you are in a Jewish country.”

The Jewish aspect of Israel is also reflected in other parts of everyday life. Gali, who keeps kosher, said that the practice is much easier in Israel than in St. Louis.

“Almost everything in Israel is kosher, so that’s amazing,” Gali said. “It’s so awesome that you can just walk around and eat at almost every restaurant.”

That’s another thing that is different in Israel, compared to St. Louis: more people walk from place to place rather than drive. This is especially nice given that the driving age in Israel is higher than in America.

“You can begin driving once you’re 16 and a half,” Shira said.

Israeli teens begin by taking a “theory” test, similar to the permit test most Americans take at age 15. Israelis also have to pass an eyesight test, just like American teens. However, rather than being taught by their parents, Israeli teens learn to drive from a driving teacher. They learn in a special car that has a brake in front of the passenger seat for the teacher to use in an emergency. Even after getting their license, Israeli teens still can’t drive alone for some time.

“You have to have a parent with you for a couple of months,” Shira said. “Then you can drive alone in the day but not at night. And then, after a couple of months, you can drive at night by yourself.”

In Israel, teens aren’t as dependent on cars as are teens in St. Louis. Walking is usually a feasible option in Israel, and when it’s not, there is good public transportation.

“I take a public bus to school and a public bus home,” Gali said.

Shira reflected that, partly due to the proximity of everything in Israel, she is more independent now than she was in St. Louis. Despite missing their friends in St. Louis, both Shira and Gali said they love living in Israel and being part of the culture there.

“I like how when there is a chag coming up everyone wishes you chag sameach [happy holiday],” Gali said. “And all the stores have signs saying chag sameach.”

Shira also commented on the sense of community present in Israel. She said that the social atmosphere there is unique and beautiful.

“I love this country,” Shira said. “It was something that was missing in America, the feeling that everyone knows and understands you.”