Sixteen-year-old Eden Rothblum never expected a semester abroad in Israel to reshape her worldview. But after four months at Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Rothblum, a Houston transplant who recently moved from Arizona, said she’s come home with a stronger Jewish identity, a deeper understanding of Zionism and a renewed sense of purpose.Muss is Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep, study abroad in Israel experience for American teens. In the fall, she will attend Robert M. Beren Academy.“I’ve never experienced anything like it before,” said Rothblum. “It was just so amazing. Life-changing. The best thing anyone can do.”Though she was raised in a home that celebrated Jewish holidays and maintained a kosher kitchen, Israel had never played a central role in the teen’s identity. “Before Oct. 7 [2023], I just knew Israel as a place to vacation,” she said. “But after that day, it became the top of my Jewish priorities list. I knew I needed to learn more and support the land and people of Israel, however I could.”Rothblum learned about the ultimate study abroad adventure shortly after Oct. 7. At the time, she was attending what she described as a deeply antisemitic high school, where students frequently expressed anti-Israel opinions.“There were only a few Jewish kids, and even some of them were pro-Palestinian,” she recalled. “I tried to stand up for Israel in every way I could. I kind of became the activist within the school.”That activism deepened at Muss, thanks to its unique academic program. In addition to students keeping up with their coursework and preparing for college via top-tier courses and dedicated teachers, Muss’ immersive Israel studies curriculum uses the land of Israel as a living classroom.Students travel around the country with their teachers, studying history, culture and modern Zionism on the very ground where history unfolded.“It’s the best way anyone can learn,” said Rothblum. “Being there and seeing where everything happened – it doesn’t feel like school at all, even though you’re learning every day.”One tiyul (trip) stood out. “We were in the Golan, sitting on top of old tanks, learning about a battle that had happened right where we were sitting,” she said. “That moment is seared into my brain forever.”Sharing a dorm with classmates at the Muss campus in Hod HaSharon gave Rothblum a taste of independence and an unforgettable community. “The best people I’ve ever met are people I met at Muss,” she said. “And I got to live and be around those people all the time.”Her time at Muss also influenced her social media content. A popular TikToker with more than 60,000 followers, Rothblum’s pre-Israel content featured shopping hauls, school lunch reviews and get-ready-with-me videos. But once at Muss, she shifted to discussing her semester in Israel.“At first I was hesitant,” she said. “But once I started, I got a lot of support from Israelis who appreciated what I was doing.”Others, however, were less supportive. “The pro-Palestinian backlash was intense,” she said. “People commented things like, ‘Go back to Europe,’ or even ‘I hope you die.’ It was crazy.”She began receiving fewer views and noticed that her content was being flagged and suppressed, due to anti-Israel comments. Still, she has no regrets. “I used to be able to monetize the account more, but I get much more satisfaction in my heart, being able to post what I truly believe, than money could ever give me.”Thanks to Muss, Rothblum is more confident in her activism and beliefs, and now her TikTok primarily focuses on Israel and the Middle East.“Before Muss, I wanted to stand up for Israel, but I didn’t always have the knowledge,” she said. “Now, I feel prepared. I know what I’m talking about and can defend it.”Back in Houston, Rothblum plans to return to the country she fell in love with. She hopes to go to college in Israel and eventually retire there. She’s even considering joining the Israel Defense Forces.“There’s so much I want to do in Israel,” she exclaimed. “I can’t pick just one thing.”For other teens considering Muss, her advice is simple: “Just go. It will be the best thing you’ve ever done.”