Amit Meyer, 29 years old from Tel Aviv, originally from Kibbutz Yar-on.

Amit went to UWC Atlantic College in Wales, UK, between the years 2007-2009. He graduated from Tel Aviv University with a combined M.A in Arabic and Islamic studies as well as African studies. Nowadays, he words as the head of Haaretz’ English website desk.

Throughout the years, Amit took part in various social initiatives and organizations, including the “Gan Lewinsky” library for asylum seekers and migrant workers in southern Tel Aviv, the “Sadaka-Reut” movement for Arab-Jewish youth partnership and activism, the association for the LGBTQ community in Israel, as well teaching English in the Community Education Center in the Tel Aviv new central station.

“Returning to Israel with all I’ve learned in AC helped shaping my understanding of community. I was able to adapt my desire to contribute and make a difference to my own abilities, but also to the actual pressing needs of my local community and those around me. It is not about doing for the sake of doing, but also figuring out how to make a contribution that is truly beneficial, both to my community and myself.

I think my college experience allowed me to become more open, to understand that things in life are often not “black or white” and be able to look at everything from various viewpoints. I have learned to allow myself to assess the way in which my values guide my decisions- understanding that nothing is perfect, and that the things I learn along the way on my path to success and fulfillment, are a meaningful part of my journey.

These ideals guide me professionally in my job as a journalist, where I am required to examine each and every issue from multiple viewpoints, even ones I do not necessarily identify with. I must be able to assess them critically, but also in an honest and respectful manner”. 

Didi went to the college in New Mexico, USA between the years 2010-2012. She holds an M.A in Media studies from Pomona college in California. Nowadays, she works as a resource’s developer in the “Sadaka-Reut” movement for Arab-Jewish youth partnership and activism, promoting an equal and shared society in Israel through creating a space for youth to act towards change.

Throughout the years, Didi took part in various social initiatives and organizations, acting as a graphic designer for the Student feminist organization, coordinator of the informal educational program for local middle-school students, as well as The Center for Collaborative Creativity.

“Nowadays I work for the “Sadaka-Reut” youth movement. I returned to Israel upon graduating out of a sense of responsibility for my community, I wanted to help create a just future for the people living here.

As someone who was raised in the “Telem” reform youth movement, I’ve had my first encounter with the concept of “Tikun Olam” even before UWC. Tikun Olam, or “Repair of the world” in English, means we all have a shared responsibility to act for a just world- we must take part in the repair, but we must not do on our own.

The academic and social experiences I was gifted in UWC helped deepen my understanding of Tikun Olam and anchored my sense of responsibility to act towards making the world a better place. If it weren’t for my studies in UWC, I would have been left with a narrow viewpoint, limited to my personal experiences only, lacking the sensitivity and awareness for others around me and the different ways in which they are impacted by this world we share.

UWC was the first place that encouraged me to ask questions I never thought I could, regarding my reality as well as others. I got to explore the “obvious”, and never stopped exploring ever since- This, to this day, remains the most important gift I was ever given.