The events of October 7, 2023, changed everything for first-year Technion electrical engineering student N.C.S. Having recently completed his military service, he found himself back in uniform, spending five months on Israel’s northern border with his reserve unit. Despite the hardships of war, N.C.S. found unexpected bonds with his fellow soldiers. “They were really good people, and I’m grateful to have had that time with them,” he said. “It wasn’t simple. It was very hard for all of us. But we had each other.”

The war also brought unimaginable loss. Among those who did not return from the frontlines was N.C.S.’s close friend and platoon commander, Amit Hayut.

Amit, whom N.C.S. described as “a shy, charismatic leader,” was more than a commander – he was a mentor and a friend. “He never raised his voice or argued with his soldiers. You followed him because of who he was,” N.C.S. said. Amit’s brilliance extended beyond the battlefield; he was a recent Technion graduate who had already made significant contributions at NVIDIA, working on cutting-edge architecture and programming. Tragically, Amit fell in battle while leading his unit during an operation in Lebanon. “They say God takes the good ones first,” N.C.S. reflected. “It’s a cliché, but it’s true. He was an exceptional person.”

Juggling the demands of reserve service, studies, and personal life has been no small feat for N.C.S. “I went straight from war into school,” he recounted. “It wasn’t easy, but the Technion postponed the start of classes, giving us time to settle in.” Despite the challenges, N.C.S. finds moments of support and camaraderie. “One of my officers from the reserves is studying the same degree as me. It’s nice to have that connection.”

Amid the chaos, N.C.S. also experienced a personal milestone – he got married. “That was the one good thing that happened during that time,” he shared. The contrast between war and love, between loss and life, made the moment even more profound.

Through it all, N.C.S. remains optimistic about the future. “Israel has so many good people willing to work hard, whether in the army, studies, or anything else,” he said. “It looks grim now, but in the future, I believe things will get better.”