There is a turning point during the volunteering experience where you really start to feel as if the station has become your second home. You finally become recognised as a crucial part of every shift that you are rostered on for as well as that vital piece of machinery that makes for a cohesive and efficient tzevet. When you finally become acknowledged by people who in the beginning were merely strangers getting by day by day as they dedicate their time to giving back to their country it’s at that exact moment where you feel that you’ve truly become a part of the MDA family. What I found is that for those who have been working for MDA for many years, there is a lot of apprehension and hesitation when it comes to taking on an overseas volunteer. In the beginning they struggle to give people like me the freedom to do what any other local volunteers would do in the ambulance. But once you break down that wall, establish a common ground with your driver, listen to their story and ask them questions, that is when they begin to adopt that trust that is crucial when working in a team, especially in such an intense and highly pressurised environment. Connecting with likeminded individuals has enabled me to gain so much appreciation and respect for those involved in emergency medicine and first aid here in Israel and has also given me the opportunity to create long lasting friendship through shared experiences and passions. When you feel like you belong, it really boosts your confidence and gives you the opportunity to speak up, get involved and truly make a difference to those whose lives are in your hands.

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