A Soft Landing in the Galilee: Welcoming Our New Medical Students

There is no second chance to make a first impression, and at the Relocation Office, we believe that a successful transition begins even before the first day of classes.

Moving to the Galilee may not be a move to another country, but for many students it still feels like the start of an entirely new chapter. With that in mind, the "Welcome to the Galilee" initiative was created to ease the transition, connect students before the academic year begins, and introduce them to the Galilee beyond Safed, its people, landscapes, culture, and unique experiences that make it a place where students can feel at home.

Ahead of the opening of the academic year, the Relocation Office held two "Welcome to the Galilee" programs for incoming first-year students. The first was designed for students in the Six-Year M.D. Program, and the second for students in the Three-Year and Four-Year M.D. Programs.

Over the course of two days, students explored the Galilee from a variety of perspectives. Activities included a visit to the Galil Mountain Winery and meetings with local entrepreneurs and community leaders, an ATV tour and a traditional Druze lunch in the field, an overnight stay at Pastoral Hotel Kfar Blum, a cocktail workshop, an evening gathering by the river, and a musical encounter with students from the Maqamat School in Safed.

Alongside these experiences, students also met with the Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty, allowing them to ask questions and arrive better prepared for the journey ahead. Beyond the activities themselves, the program was designed to foster personal connections and a sense of belonging before classes even began, allowing students to take their first steps at the Faculty surrounded by familiar faces and feeling at home from day one.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Participants shared that they had not expected such an experience, greatly appreciated the investment and attention dedicated to the program, and were especially pleased that it took place before the start of the academic year. For the Relocation Office, this is exactly what a soft landing looks like.

The team believes that the physicians of the future can find in the Galilee not only a place to study and work, but also a place to build a life. Students who feel at home here today may choose to build their future here tomorrow. The Welcome to the Galilee program is the first step toward that vision, and the Relocation Office hopes to make it an annual tradition that continues to introduce students to a welcoming and vibrant Galilee that is far more than they may have imagined.