From a young age, Hodi S. knew that her future was in Israel. What she didn’t yet know was how her passion for engineering, love of community, and drive to give back would shape that journey in remarkable ways.
From South Africa to Israel: A Dream Realized
Hodi grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a family with deep Israeli roots—her mother is Israeli and both of her siblings had already made aliyah. But it was during the upheaval of 2020, her final year of high school, that her decision became clear. “COVID made me realize how important it was to be close to family,” she says. “I also wanted more opportunity as a religious woman than I felt I had in South Africa.”
Just a few months after graduating high school, Hodi made aliyah and moved to Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, where she spent six months in ulpan learning Hebrew. From there, she started the Mechina (preparatory) program at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in August.
A Soft Landing: Studying in English First
When researching her options of where to study, Technion quickly rose to the top. “I Googled universities in Israel, and Technion stood out with its strong engineering programs and international community,” she says. “Getting accepted was the best thing I could have done for myself.”
Hodi enrolled in the International School at Technion, which at the time offered mechanical engineering in English. “I wanted a soft landing into Israeli academia,” she explains. “Engineering is hard enough—doing it in Hebrew right away would have been doubly tough.” The international environment also gave her an immediate sense of belonging. “We became a family—studying together, celebrating Shabbat together. That kind of community means everything when you’re far from home.”
Making the Switch: Embracing Hebrew and the Israeli Track
A few semesters into her degree, Hodi made the bold decision to transfer into the Hebrew-speaking program. “I knew I was going to live and work in Hebrew, and I also knew I planned to draft into the army after finishing my degree,” she says. “It just made sense to start learning the language now rather than later.”
But there was a deeper motivation as well: she wanted to contribute to Israel in a meaningful way. “My brother had served in the army’s intelligence unit, and he advised me not to go in empty-handed,” she recalls. “He said, ‘Go to the army with something to offer.’ I thought, maybe a coding course… but then I realized if I was going to study, I should do it fully.” That mindset guided Hodi’s choices. “I want to serve as a mechanical engineer. I want to bring real skills to the IDF. I’m here because I have something to give. I want to use my abilities to help Israel thrive.”
Ed note: Technion now offers a BSc program in Science and Engineering geared towards international students where students start their studies in English and then transition into Hebrew-language tracks after a year. Learn more here.
From Campus to Europe to NASA
Hodi has already gained experience most students only dream about. She completed a mechanical engineering internship in Europe and now works in a Technion research lab connected to NASA.
“It’s something I never could have imagined doing in South Africa,” she says. “My world has opened up. There are so many more possibilities here than I ever thought existed.”
Technion’s hands-on research culture encourages even undergraduates to contribute to cutting-edge work. “You’re expected to learn fast and add value. It pushes you to grow.”
More Than Academics: Growing Through Challenge
Technion’s rigorous academic environment has taught Hodi critical life skills:
“Time management, self-discipline, learning under pressure—all of that will serve me in the army and beyond. A lot of mechanical engineering jobs are tied to security and defense. It’s a high-stakes environment, and I’m grateful I’ve been prepared for it.”
Even in challenging times, including war and personal hardship, her commitment to Israel remains strong. “When it gets hard, I remind myself why I came. I’m here as a Jew, to give back and build this country. That makes it all worthwhile.”
JLIC and Finding Family Far From Home
The strong sense of community Hodi found at Technion has been critical to her experience. “Technion is a place where everyone is genuine. We live in the dorms together, have Shabbat meals together, study and program together—we’ve created a family here.”
One of the most meaningful parts of Hodi’s Technion experience has been her involvement with JLIC, led by Rav Evan and Tova. “They’ve added so much to our community. Their home, their programs, their warmth—it’s the kind of family environment we all need as students. You’re never alone here.”
Advice to Future Students: Baby Steps and Big Dreams
Her advice to others considering a similar path? “Take it one step at a time.”
“Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture. Think: What do I want? What are my options? It’s tough but you don’t have to do it all alone. There are people who’ve done this before—ask them, lean on them. It’s hard, but it’s possible. And it’s so worth it.”
To discover more about the supportive environment JLIC provides for students at Technion, click here.
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