This was a landmark semester on the BYU Jerusalem Study Abroad program! After living most of their semester at the Kibbutz, Ramat Rachel, this was the first group of BYU students to move into the Jerusalem Center, though it was unfinished. Elder Holland came to Jerusalem and negotiated. They were able to obtain an occupancy permit, so with only one day’s notice, Elder Holland told the students to pack their things because they were moving into the center.
Though these students didn’t spend a lot of time there, they had a unique experience. The Oasis was not finished, nor were any of the upper areas of the center. So they ate at a restaurant across the street called “The Commodore”. They were glad to no longer have Kosher dining, but breakfast was served between 5:30 – 6:30 am. The students were also guinea pigs for the new building’s systems. There was no heating in the bedrooms. Students reported that the dryers took a minimum of three hours to dry a load of clothing.
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