A SOUTH Lakeland teenager is swapping her studies for life on the frontline in one of the world’s most dangerous war-zones.

Brave Emma Lifshitz, 19, of Selside, near Kendal, is about to embark on three years’ military service in Israel where dodging bullets and bombs will become part of her daily existence.

With dreams of working with sniffer dogs and in bomb disposal, the plucky youth flies out to Tel Aviv today, January 5, for an induction with the Israeli Defense Forces.

Miss Lifshitz, who is Jewish by birth, said: “I’m not worried. I am very excited to start something new, meet new people, and see how I cope in different situations whether they are good or bad and it’s all part of the experience and learning curve.” The former Queen Katherine School student, who speaks Hebrew, is the daughter of Kendal chiropodist Helen Lifshitz, and Micha Lifshitz, who lives near the Sea of Galilee.

She lived in Israel until she was eight-years-old and anyone born there must complete at least two years’ service to help defend the country against attack by neighbouring countries.

“As Israel is surrounded by states who are not friendly with it, its continuing existence seems only to be guaranteed by its ability to defend itself militarily,” said Miss Lifshitz.

“As my country of birth, I feel it is my duty to defend just as an Englishman would defend England.”

During her time in the country she also hopes to get to know her older brother, father and grandparents better and explore the Biblical cities of Nazareth and Jerusalem, although she herself is not a practising Jew.

In the run up to her departure she has been taking exams in the hope she will be selected to work with sniffer dogs but she could end up being assigned to anything from translating English to Hebrew to a desk job.

She said leaving her life in Kendal would be tough but she was excited to start the next chapter in her life.

“My friends probably think I'm mad. I try not to think about what they think because it will only impair my judgment. It’s hard for people to understand as they are not faced with the same decision. It’s an honour for me to serve my country, and nothing will stop me from doing that,” she said.