Success Story: From Exchange Student to International Career

Daniel Doron, a fourth-year Interior Design student at the Faculty of Design at HIT Holon Institute of Technology, embraced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when she was selected for a student exchange program at the esteemed IED design school in Barcelona.

Daniel embarked on her exchange program before the events of October 7th,2023, and despite unforeseen challenges, she found steadfast support from the International Office and the Faculty of Design at HIT. "The management (at IED) was very accommodating," she says, "and fortunately, there are precise guidelines not to say anything, and if someone speaks to me or even hints at offense or insult, they are dismissed." This support was a constant source of reassurance for Daniel during her journey.

Daniel aimed to broaden her academic horizons and enrich her professional knowledge. During her studies, she participated in a 'Technology for Interior Design' course, which focused on [specific topics or skills], led by Prof. Ignasi Perez Arnal, a renowned Catalan architect who said that students from Israel are different and unique,' she recounts.

Daniel's excellence led to a job offer at ATOM, a startup founded by Prof. Arnal. The startup focuses on developing and implementing advanced and ecological modular construction. "I'm an interior designer in development and research, but because it's still a small business in the process of establishment, I get to engage in business development, fundraising, and even marketing," says Daniel.

Prof. Arnal emphasizes the reasons for choosing Daniel: "Daniel assists us in an extraordinary effort to combine advanced design with what I see as essential: sustainability criteria. This is even more important now, as the EU has committed to becoming the first continent with zero carbon emissions by 2050."

Regarding the opportunity given to her, Daniel says: 'This is a fascinating opportunity that marks the beginning of my journey towards an intriguing career in design and construction. I'm glad to have the privilege of participating in such a venture to develop and make an impact. While working on ATOM's 'tiny houses' model, which is [specific details about the model], I realized that it could integrate with the specialization and work well with constructing homes for evacuees in Israel. That is, fast, green, and quality construction for the homes of evacuees in kibbutzim in the Gaza envelope and the north of the country.'

Internationalization is one of HIT's main pillars. The Institute has cooperation agreements with about 140 academic institutions in 35 countries, including faculty and student exchange programs,  joint submissions of research proposals to competitive international funds, and joint international conferences.

Daniel's story is a testament to the transformative power of a student exchange program, demonstrating how it can pave the way for an impressive international career while maintaining a connection to Israel and contributing to innovative housing solutions. Her journey is a beacon of hope for all aspiring students, showing that such programs can indeed shape a promising future.