I'm currently home for two weeks working on my dissertation which is about what is experienced by participants on Birthright and Alternative Spring Break trips.  I came across this recent collection of practical advice on the Jewlicious website for those going on Birthright trips and thought it was both accurate and well-written.  If you or a loved one is planning on taking a Birthright trip in the future, give this a read.  Note that the intended audience is 18-26 year olds, so the content is adult in nature.  OK, now back to the dissertation!