From Princeton to Bar-Ilan: Aaron Cohen’s Journey of Curiosity, Identity, and Belonging
How one American student found purpose, community, and unexpected personal growth by moving from Ivy League and all the way to Israel
The spark that started it all
Aaron Cohen grew up marvelling at the microscopic world. “The idea that entire multicellular organisms like humans develop from a single cell has always amazed me,” he says. That early fascination led him from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Princeton University, where he earned his degree in Molecular Biology and conducted stem cell research for his senior thesis.
But somewhere along the way—between experiments, papers, and Friday night dinners at the Chabad on Campus—Aaron began to feel a deeper question stirring: Could his scientific journey be more than just academic? Could it also be spiritual?
No single moment—just a growing sense of direction
Unlike in Israel, it’s not common in the U.S. to pursue graduate studies at the same university where you completed your undergraduate degree. So Aaron always knew he’d be moving on from Princeton. But it wasn’t until his final year that he realized just how far.
“It wasn’t some big dramatic moment,” he explains. “It was a quiet realization that I wanted to keep growing—not just as a scientist, but as a person grounded in something deeper.” That realization brought him to Bar-Ilan's Faculty of Life Sciences and Dr. Nitzan Gonen’s lab, where the research on gonadal development aligned perfectly with both his academic interests and his cultural identity.
Leaving home, finding support
Breaking the news to his family and friends brought a wave of reactions: surprise, pride, nervous curiosity. But once they saw how confident and excited he was, they got behind him.
“My friends knew I don’t make big decisions lightly,” Aaron says. “And my family, even if they were worried, trusted that I was following something meaningful.”
More than just a lab
Aaron wasn’t just searching for a place to study—he was looking for purpose. And he found it at Bar-Ilan.
“I wanted more than a degree. I wanted to be part of something that connected my research to a larger story,” he shares. “Here, I’ve found a community that pushes me to grow both in and out of the lab.”
From outsider to team member
Arriving in Israel with no Hebrew was intimidating. He worried the language barrier would isolate him in the lab. But those fears quickly dissolved.
“From day one, my PI and labmates went out of their way to include me. They didn’t treat me like a guest—they made me feel like part of the team,” he says. “That moment when I realized I belonged? It wasn’t flashy. It was quiet and powerful.”
The culture shock he didn’t expect (and now loves)
What surprised Aaron most about student life in Israel was how informal and direct everything felt. “Professors are approachable. Students are opinionated but generous. There’s this unfiltered honesty that builds real connection.”
He also noticed something deeper: a collective resilience. “Especially over the past year and a half, that shared strength has become something I admire profoundly.”
Challenges, yes. Regrets, never.
Adjusting to Israeli bureaucracy, setting up health insurance, opening a bank account—it was overwhelming at times. And doing it all in a new and foreign language added another layer of complexity.
But Aaron leaned on a community of Olim, especially in Tel Aviv, who had faced the same hurdles. “I’ve never been the first person to deal with a problem here. There’s always someone ready to help.”
Becoming more himself
Living in Israel has shaped Aaron in ways he didn’t anticipate.
“I’ve grown spiritually and academically. I’ve learned how to navigate the world with more independence and confidence,” he reflects. “Israel challenges you, but it also shows you what you’re capable of.”
The moments that stay with you
There’s no single memory that defines Aaron’s experience—but a feeling that lingers.
“It’s the support. The way people here care—not just about your work, but about you. That unspoken sense that we’re all in this together... I’ll carry that with me long after I leave.”
His advice to anyone considering the same leap?
“Follow the pull. It’s not going to be easy, but it will absolutely be worth it. Do your research, talk to people who’ve done it—but also be willing to step into the unknown. That’s where the real growth happens.”
And to his past self, just before boarding the plane?
“You’re about to do something brave. It won’t all go according to plan. But you’ll find mentors, friends, and a version of yourself you haven’t met yet. You don’t need to know everything. Just know this: you’re on the right path.”
From one leap of faith, to a world of meaning
Aaron’s journey is a testament to what happens when intellect meets intention—when the pursuit of knowledge is intertwined with the pursuit of self. At Bar-Ilan, he didn’t just continue his academic path; he expanded it in ways he never imagined. And perhaps that’s what makes his story so universal: it’s not only about choosing a different university—it’s about choosing a life that feels fully, unapologetically your own.