MTA's First Shabbat!

Last week, the new MTA arrived in Israel.  The way the South African and Australian school year works is that it starts in February and ends in December because their summer is during our winter. They got to the school and unpacked on Monday, had orientation on Tuesday and they started their first day on Wednesday.  It was really exciting for the Northerners to meet the new MTAs and we were really friendly and welcoming.  Everyone was asking everyone their names and at all the meals we would all sit together instead of separately.
On Friday night we usually go to the Kotel but since it was pretty cold and rainy they decided that we should stay in.  This week they had a really cute seating arrangement.  One every plate was a different flag so each person had to sit by the flag that represented where they came from so every table had a mix of people from different places.  They had some interesting ice breaker questions such as "what were you life in your awkward stage" or "how many goldfish have you killed?"
After dinner everyone sat together singing and sharing pieces of advice.  A bunch of Northerners got up to speak about different firsts that they had.  I spoke about my first Shabbat in Israel which you might remember I spoke about in my blog all the way in the beginning.  http://sarasisraelexperience.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-shabbat-in-midrasha.html  Some people spoke about their first day and how confusing and overwhelming it was and some people spoke about an interesting experience that made them realize something about themselves or about Midreshet Harova.  I think the MTA really got a lot out of this because towards the end of Shabbat, the MTA were asked to say a little something about how they feel.  Most of them said that they feel really welcomed here and they are happy that they chose Harova because the people here are just amazing.
Over the past few days I've gotten to know the names of most of the MTA (there are two more Sara/ Sarah's to add on to the five that were already here and a Zara.) One of them, Ruthy, lives on my floor and we always say hi when we pass each other in the halls.  I'm really excited to become better friends with the new MTA and I think they're also really excited to meet all of us.  It's a new beginning for them and a new beginning for us and I hope that all beginnings are as pleasant as this one has been.  Shalom V'lehitraot!