Making Aliyah as a kid can be extremely exciting–and sometimes challenging. You may have traveled to Israel in the past–and even loved it–but actually living in Israel is a very different experience. Many Olim children worry about learning Hebrew, making friends, and keeping in touch with their family.

Gavriella Berger, who made Aliyah at age 16, always dreamt of making Aliyah after high school, but was surprised when her parents decided to move there with her family before she started eleventh grade.

“There may be a lot of hardships during your first year, but it’s important to remember why you’re in Israel,” said Gavriella. “You’re here because you’re part of a massive movement. You’re making history.”

We spoke to Olim kids who made Aliyah just a few years–or even months ago–to find out the kind of advice they wish they’d gotten before moving to Israel. Here are their top 7 tips:

1. Make sure to get some sleep on the plane

From the weeks leading up to your Aliyah until you board your flight, your life will undoubtedly be busy! You’ll be packing, saying goodbye to family and friends, and rushing to the airport. Things may only become more hectic once you land in Israel. It’s definitely a good idea to conserve some of your energy by sleeping on the flight.

Elish Eisenberg, 9, made Aliyah a few months ago and really regrets not napping on the plane. His friend from school was on his Aliyah flight, and they sat next to each other and played the whole time.

“If you don’t sleep on the plane, you’re going to be so tired,” said Elish. “Then, when you’re sleeping in the car on the way home, you’ll miss out on seeing all of the Israeli sites.”

2. Ask your parents to introduce you to their friends’ kids

Worried about making friends? Don’t be! The easiest way to meet potential friends is to tag along with your parents as they reconnect with old friends and meet their new community members. There’s a good chance that they’ll have kids who are your age.

Right after Elish’s nap, he and his mother took a walk in their new neighborhood to say hello to some of his mom’s friends from childhood. “I became friends with their kids, and then their friends wanted to meet me, too,” said Elish.

3. Get involved in a youth movement

Youth movements are a big part of growing up in Israel, with meetings on Tuesday and Shabbat afternoons. Because youth movements are centered around games, hikes, and community work, they provide a non-stressful atmosphere to meet other kids who are your age.

Dalia Kupferberg, 11, moved to Israel last summer and immediately joined her community’s Bnei Akiva chapter. She made a lot of friends there, many of whom were later in her class. “People were super nice and warm to me,” she said.

4. Ask for help

Moving to a new country means that you might not understand everything that’s going on, and that you may feel lost at times. That’s natural and it will take time to adapt. In the meantime, if you’re having trouble understanding something, be sure to ask for help.

Gavriella, who had always been a star student at her high school in New Jersey, was concerned when she started getting lower grades. She finally decided to turn to her school for help. “My teachers and school’s Olim coordinator were amazing, and really gave me their whole heart,” said Gavriella.

5. Be patient with yourself and with others

Having trouble understanding Hebrew? Finding Israeli culture confusing? Every day, your Hebrew will improve a little more and things will start to feel more familiar to you.

When Dalia first started making friends, she wasn’t able to express herself fully in Hebrew, but she found different ways to make sure she was understood. “We used hand motions and pointed at things,” said Dalia. “It was hard, but it was manageable.”

At the end of her first school year in Israel, Gavriella decided to make a video in which she showed her classmates what her former life was like. “After the other girls understood where I came from, it was much easier for me to make friends,” she said.

6. Stay committed to keeping in touch

Today, communicating with friends all over the world is easier than ever. If you and your friends really want to keep in touch, there’s no reason you won’t be able to.

“I talk to my grandparents and friends all the time,” said Dalia. “We Skype, FaceTime, write emails and call each other.”

7. Remember what you love about Israel

Staying positive when things seem tough is always a good way to overcome any humps along the way. When Gavriella felt overwhelmed in her new life, she would focus on the things she loved doing in Israel–and then she made sure to do them.

“I would go to the Kotel, or see a beautiful view in Israel and then I would know exactly why I was in Israel,” she said. “Doing what you love will definitely help you get past those hard moments.”