在以色列，平均每8分钟就会有一项新技术诞生（以色列选修课）
（中欧MBA学生在以色列合影）
中欧国际工商学院MBA学生不久前进行了一次以色列海外选修学习，深度体验以色列文化和创新精神。年轻的中欧MBA同学们也在以色列高等学府中留下了他们的思想与智慧。此文为MBA学生对于此次学习的体会与收获。
到达以色列以前，我们中的许多人对以色列的认识主要有两个：聪明且很会做生意的犹太人，以及充满战争、冲突、宗教问题的不安的地区。遥远而神秘，作为此次吸引了最多的MBA同学选择的海外选修课目的地，我们中的绝大多数都是第一次走进它。
学校共安排了5天行程，基本都是上午在当地大学听教授授课，下午进行公司访问，个别晚上听一些来自民间的不同背景的人分享他们对于以色列这个国家政治、文化、社会的理解和看法。5天以外，许多同学都有额外的旅行计划。我和其他10个人组成的小分队提前一周到达，在以色列到处旅游观光，算是给刚刚经历了异常忙碌学期的自己一个放松休闲的机会。
（学生在死海上讨论课堂case）
创新与经济奇迹
在正式的海外选修课开始前，《创业的国度：以色列经济奇迹的启示》这本书中已经介绍了关于这个国家经济奇迹答案：“一个价值数亿美元的问题：究竟是什么让以色列——一个仅有710万人口、笼罩着战争阴影、没有自然资源的国家——产生了如此多的新兴公司，甚至比加拿大、日本、中国、印度、英国等大国都多？”作者给出了几个方面的回答：打破常规等级制度的军队、移民带来的多样性、勇于挑战权威的文化等。
以色列的多样性和创新动力之一来自移民，但并非有很多移民就意味着创新。同样是犹太移民，来自欧洲、前苏联等国家的移民不仅带来了人口，同样也引进了资本、技术、以及文化创新的机会。与此同时，政府也要花费大量的金钱进行移民安置，以及帮助他们融合到整个国家和社会。在为数众多不同类型的初创企业中，却很少能找到来自非洲的犹太移民以及生活在以色列的阿拉伯人的初创企业家。
(中欧MBA学生拜访以色列科技公司Visualead)
如何妥善处理经济收入差异，改善犹太人以及居住在以色列的阿拉伯人之间的关系，形成真正良好的社区融合，是当前以色列整个国家移民问题带来的挑战。对比思考，中国经济也面临相似的问题:人口流动带来了经济发展和商业机会，与之相伴的诸如外地移民及务工人员和经济发达地区融合的问题，也是中国当前面临的一大社会问题。
（犹太小朋友行哭墙仪式前的洗礼）
在惊叹和羡慕以色列为数众多的初创企业同时，我也不由感慨生在中国这样一个拥有巨大国内市场的国家，对企业做大做强是多么大的优势。因为有限的国内市场，以及与周边国家的政治文化隔阂，许许多多的以色列企业不得不在尚未足够发展壮大阶段就要走向全球市场，面临巨大的压力和挑战。也正因如此，许多的这些企业在经历过初创阶段后，就寻找合适机会就选择出售。
对华人友好
习惯了全球旅游热门国家到处充斥着中国游客的场景，当到达以色列时却不常看到东亚面孔，更让我们充分体会到了异域的风土人情。当地人天生的友好以及出于对东亚面孔的新鲜感，让我们感受到了他们的热情，也给了我们更多机会去了解和认识这个神奇的国度。
以色列感恩短片《谢谢上海》
许多人把犹太人对中国人的友好归因于二战期间上海曾经作为为数不多的收留犹太难民的地区，当然也许有这个原因在。但与更多的当地人接触后，我理解的原因也许更多来自于中国人对犹太人的相对友好。以色列与阿拉伯国家间的纠纷不必多讲，与欧洲国家因为宗教、历史、社会文化等原因，民众之间也会有些隔阂或偏见。而与中国人打交道时，少了敌意和偏见，更多的是中国人的好奇与对犹太民族聪明智慧的认知，礼尚往来，民间的友好不难理解。
（中欧MBA学员Peby Gao与以色列少女）
战争与冲突
还记得第一次告诉父母我要去以色列时他们的反应，惊讶和不太支持的原因主要来自于对安全的疑虑。其实不仅仅是父母长辈，我们对此也或多或少有些许担心。然而真正来到这个国家，在耶路撒冷、特拉维夫、海法等城市里，都能找到一种类似于欧洲城市或小镇的悠闲与自在感，让你忘记了这里就是那个时常登上国际新闻头条，充满暴力、冲突的地区。只有在机场、博物馆、广场等大型公共场所的严格的安检以及巡逻的佩枪警察，才会提醒你有对安全的威胁。
（中欧MBA学员Fiona Wang与以色列女兵）
坦白来说，在犹太人聚居区，居民收入较高生活设施相对发达；而在阿拉伯人聚居区，从人们的穿着、代步工具以及住房都可以感受到经济的差异。出于安全考虑，在耶路撒冷时我们更多时间在犹太人相对集中的区域参观。而在阿克古城，虽然生活着更多的阿拉伯穆斯林，我们徜徉其中却没有不安。当我们通过古城的地下通道走到海边时，正赶上夕阳西下，许多当地的中小学刚刚放学，一群背着书包的孩子们围着我们这群陌生的面孔端详，脸上挂满了笑容和好奇，争着和我们合影。
收获
（中欧MBA学员在耶路撒冷）
观察了解别人，是为了更好的提高自己。作为商学院学生，以色列之行无论是从开拓国际视野、了解文化差异，还是学习创新精神、寻找商业机会而言，都收获满满。尽管也许每个人的答案和收获各有不同，但有一点却是相同的：平时因为各种原因很难长时间聚在一起的同学们，在以色列行程的一周甚至两周时间里，一起上课、旅行、参观、玩耍，创造共同的回忆，无疑是整个MBA学习生涯难以忘怀，甚至整个人生中难能可贵的经历。
Route to Israel
Most of us held similar common stereotypes about Israel before arriving, a dangerous place, in a state of constant war set against a holy and ancient backdrop. For many of us Jerusalem characterized the country and notions of Innovation and a startup culture were far from our thoughts. CEIBS arranged a 5-day itinerary, taking courses at Bar-Ilan University in the mornings and attending company visits in the afternoons. We reinforced our learning in the evening swith guest lecturers who shared their personal and professional experiences about the Arab and Israeli geopolitical situation. We were also able to visit Haifa as a class and explore a local multicultural village, all of which leading to a fresh perspective on Israel and some fantastic memories.
Innovationin Israel
Company visits and engagement with lecturers developed our understanding of challenges and opportunities that surround innovation. Innovation in Israel can derive some of its origins from the freedom of expression within society and the geopolitical environment that Israel has faced since its founding. The necessity for survival in a disputed and arid environment, surrounded by adversaries that do not recognize its existence, and managing with limited resources motivated Israel to think outside of the box and take measurable risks to solve complex issues. Thus as a result, human capital has become Israel’s most valuable resource. “Failure is an option” in Israel and promoted as a tool for learning. Thus, flexible innovation flourishes here and drives the Israeli story."
Home to a small population of around 7.5 million, human capital growth and development is driven by the immigration policies that Israel has in place. This does pose something of a paradox, given that national security is Israel’s utmost priority but at the same time its borders are open to immigration. Immigrants who moved from Europe and the Soviet Union for example, did not only bring population growth, but also capital,technologies and culture. In consequence, the Government needs to allocate resources to help with immigrant settlements and their assimilation into a new country and society. Among the large number of startup companies in Israel, there are less entrepreneurs coming from Africa or neighboring Arabic countries. And thus, methods to properly manage the income gap and improve the relationship between the Jewish and Arab population to form a stable society is the biggest challenge that the country is facing right now.
Pilgrimage vs. Tourism
I grew up in Los Angeles, USA which is a religiously diverse city. I had many interactions with Muslim, Jewish and Catholic/Christian families, friends and colleagues. I believe there is a difference between travelers who choose to visit this region despite the risks. There are visitors who relate to the historical significance of a Holy Land and others who come here out of devotion and piety to their respective religions. This is very different from other popular tourist destinations around the world that are popular to Chinese tourists. There are few East Asian travelers that can be spotted in Israel. The locals are very friendly, partially due to the rareness of East Asian visitors in the region, showed profound hospitality to our group, and gave us opportunities to understand the culture and charm of this unique country.
Takeaways
After completing this innovation module and visiting Israel, we have learned much about the underpinnings of the Israeli business environment and geopolitical situation inIsrael. Applying this knowledge to how and why some startups are founded and operated in Israel has been a useful tool for analyzing why some startups are so successful. We hope to use this entrepreneurial experience as a platform for development back at CEIBS in coursework and everyday life. The biggest takeaway from this learning trip is, “think simple, take risks, have a flexible growth strategy and a clear exit plan.”
此文为中欧MBA在读学员以色列模块海外选修课分享，欲了解更多中欧MBA海外选修课，请点击
美国模块：高大上的选修课是这样上的 l Ecosystem and the Network of Entrepreneurship
