Education Internships in Palestine

It was a powerful and eye opening experience for me. It helped me understand the reality of daily life in the West Bank beyond what I had read in the news. In Hebron and Halhul, we met inspiring activists and local organizations working in human rights and community support. Listening to their stories made the situation feel very real and personal. One of the most impactful visits was to Masafer Yatta, where I saw the threats families face from nearby settlers. It was difficult to witness, but important to see the reality on the ground. This internship gave me deeper knowledge, perspective, and respect for the resilience of the Palestinian people. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the conflict from a human perspective.

My experience with Go Palestine was incredibly rewarding as it was my first time in the region and they made me feel so welcome. Prior to arriving, I was concerned about safety but that feeling quickly left as I was consistent greeted with kindness and care. As for my specific internship, I witnessed and learned quite a lot about the experiences and day-to-day life of Palestinians in the West Bank. I visited refugee camps and how conflict is impacting the lives of those who are displaced. I visited multiple organizations that are working to stabilize and improve their communities. I gained so much insight into what is happening and I highly suggest for anyone to do the same! You won't regret it!

I spent 1 week with the Excellence Center as part of their Human Rights program. I had some idea of what to expect before coming here, but had never been to the region before, so still had many questions. During my time in Hebron, the staff at the Excellence Center were incredibly welcoming, helpful, and provided me with an experience I will never forget. Throughout the week, I had the chance to study Arabic, engage with the local community, and volunteer as a protective presence for villagers in the Masafar Yatta region, all while gaining a better understanding of the situation in the West Bank. I had the opportunity to experience Palestinian culture and truly felt welcomed by the local community. I always felt safe and would recommend this program to anyone considering it!

Marhaba! My name is Sierra, and I am 24 years old. I am from Alberta, Canada. I have a degree in Psychology from King’s University, and I spent two weeks participating in the Human Rights Internship program here at the Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine. I chose to intern in Palestine because I was very interested in the complex regional history and its impact on mental health outcomes and communal well-being. Having studied the effects of trauma and having travelled to regions experiencing conflict in the past, I have a keen interest in visiting places where resilience, hope, and empathy flourish amidst adversity. Palestine, with its ongoing challenges and rich culture, presented an amazing opportunity to contribute positively to meaningful change and gain invaluable life experiences that have transformed my understanding of the world. I specifically chose to intern with the Excellence Center because of its stellar reputation for providing international visitors with an authentic experience of Palestinian life. The Human Rights internship seemed like a good opportunity to gain hands-on experience in humanitarian aid, diplomacy, and international law. My experience in Palestine has been extremely positive. I have been so touched by how genuinely friendly and welcoming everyone in Hebron has been during my stay. The staff at the Excellence Center were so welcoming to me and made sure I felt as comfortable as possible. The Hebron locals have also gone above and beyond to make me feel as welcomed, respected, and happy as possible. I have made friends at every coffee shop, shawarma place, and grocery store that I’ve been to. I want to give a special shout to Sara’s Cafe, kiddy corner to the Excellence Center, and all the lovely baristas there that have given me a lot of laughs and lattes. During my time at the Excellence Center, I learned about Palestinian culture, visited various historical sites, interacted with various journalists and human rights advocates, spoke with local people about their lives under the occupation, visited Palestinians living in refugee camps, and taught English to locals, and enjoyed several lovely evenings by the fire, singing, eating, and smoking shisha. I also took Arabic lessons with my lovely teacher Jomana, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I even managed to have some very basic conversations with locals! I understand why one might have reservations about travelling to Palestine during this challenging time. However, I felt entirely safe and comfortable during my stay. Hebron is just as safe—if not safer—than most major cities, and one should not have any issues if one takes normal safety precautions and follows the guidance of locals who know the situation here well. Regarding my accommodation, I shared a modest apartment with my other female colleagues close to the center, equipped with a kitchen, nice bathrooms, a balcony, and comfortable beds. If you are coming in the winter, it does get cold, and I highly recommend bringing warm clothes! There are also plenty of lively cafes and shops that make it an enjoyable and pleasant area to reside. I know I will be returning to the center in the future and highly encourage anyone who is curious about experiencing Palestine to join the Excellence Center family. I will cherish these memories forever. Shukran and beshufko, inshallah

My name is Sara, I am 25 years old, and I volunteered at the Excellence Center for three weeks. At home I am a welder, but I have a love for journalism and have been wanting to do work in journalism and human rights. I decided to choose the journalism program to build up some experience and expand my portfolio, while getting to learn about Palestine and see and experience it in person. I also have always wanted to visit the Middle East in general, and learn Arabic, so to me it was a perfect opportunity that ended up being an amazing experience. Your time in the center is based largely on what you set out to do when you come here, with room for change and flexibility. I came to get experience in my chosen field and to learn Arabic, so my days would start off with Arabic lessons, and then afterwards either a trip to a site, a meeting with a journalist/human rights center/local activist, or touring local areas. The center will set up things in regards to your program, however they are open if you have specific things you want to achieve, and will work that into your program. The staff here, and the teachers, are fantastic. I had Arabic lessons with Duha, and just with three weeks at 1-2 hours a day, I am now able to have (fairly simple) conversation in Arabic with Palestinians here in Hebron. In the West Bank there are so many wonderful places to visit. There are site tours with the center in places like Old City Hebron and Al Fawwar Refugee Camp, where you meet and learn from the locals who live in these places about their history, their struggle under Israeli occupation, and their day-to-day life. There are also days off on the weekend to spend as you please, which I spent visiting places such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and a small village called Battir. The people you meet and talk to in these places are all so friendly and happy to have you as a guest, and to tell you their story and their experience as a Palestinian over a nice cup of coffee or tea. With the friendliness and hospitality of the people, the beauty of the land, the unique and ancient culture, I can say that I well and truly love it here and have enjoyed my time living in Hebron. Speaking of living here, there comes the question of safety. As an American, I have been inundated for years with nothing but images of war, hatred, and suffering in the Middle East. My family was terrified for me, because they thought I would be in grave danger just by being here. However, the reality is very different. Hebron is an incredibly safe and friendly city, and Palestine in general is very safe as an international coming to the country. There has never been a time where I felt like I was actually in danger, and the people here do everything they can to make you feel at home and welcome. From being invited into random shops and places for coffee and conversation, talking with strangers on the street as we practiced each others language on each other, there is a culture of hospitality here in Palestine and I have never felt as strong a strong sense of community as I have here. Overall, I have had a truly special time here in Hebron, and in Palestine as a whole. Whether it was packing five of us into a car and driving down to the Dead Sea, meeting a man in Bethlehem who took me to see the mountainside village of Battir, or getting to meet people who do incredible work in activism and journalism, I have made some truly unforgettable memories. I have met so many amazing people and made some great friends, who I will cherish for a long time. I also feel that I have gained a great experience in the program I chose, getting to interview people here, learning about the struggle under Israeli apartheid and documenting the reality of the situation on the ground in real-time, as well as making connections with great journalists who are more than happy to work with and help someone bring their story back home to America. If you want to come to Palestine and experience life here while learning about everything I mentioned, I would highly recommend the Excellence Center in Hebron. I would happily do it again in the future.

Hebron is a city that will forever be imprinted on my heart. I feel grateful beyond measure to for the opportunity to spend four amazing weeks with everyone that I had the pleasure of meeting at the Excellence Center. The staff and volunteers welcome everyone with open and loving arms, truly making you feel like family. All the teachers I've had, Duha, Saja, and Haya, were by far the most impressive. Their level of English was astounding, making the process of learning Arabic so easy. I was speaking Arabic in public after just one week of lessons, which I could have never imagined possible. I hope to come back each year to continue my Arabic studies with them. The various people you meet along this journey, who only radiate genuine love and kindness amidst so much pain and devastation, force you to alter your way of thinking. They remind you of what is truly important in life. They share the tragic details of their lives but always with a resilient spirit. Hearing and reading about Palestine before coming here is one thing, but living and connecting with these people on a personal level is an experience that I will never forget and will treasure forever. Hearing their stories absolutely breaks your heart, but their endless love and kindness remind you to always appreciate the little things in life, just as they do. My heart is and always will be with the Palestinian people.

Volunteering with the Excellence Center in the human rights program was not only very fulfilling, but gave me a lot more insight into the human rights situation in Palestine that cannot be directly observed from a foreigner's lens. The administration is highly knowledgeable about the political and social landscape of Palestine, and were more than willing to share their knowledge with the volunteers. Throughout my time at the center, I took shami arabic lessons every morning to improve my arabic skills. I would then practice what I learned throughout Al Khalil by communicating with the locals. After the arabic lessons, myself and other volunteers would go to significant sights such as the Ibrahimi Mosque, Musafar Yatta, Fawwar refugee camp and Al Quds.

Hi! I'm Sutton, a student from Australia. My three weeks in Palestine were very informative and helped me understand the conflict and refugee situation better. I learned the Palestinian dialect with the help of my patient teacher, Mr. Muhammad, which helped me connect with the people in Hebron. Staying with a host family was another great experience, they were so kind and taught me a lot about their culture and daily life. Visiting refugee camps was both sad and inspiring. It showed me the challenges people face and their amazing strength. This experience gave me new insights, important connections, and a better understanding of global issues. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn and make a difference.

I spent a month in Hebron as part of the Israel-Palestine Conflict Program. This experience offered an enriching introduction to Palestinian culture, allowing me to connect with incredible people and gain a deeper insight into the conflict. The staff were very welcoming, and the volunteer community was warm and supportive. I highly recommend it!

Hi, I’m Sofia, a Spanish a master student living in Manchester, studying Global Development and Human Rights. I joined the program in Hebron to gain firsthand insight into the Israel-Palestine conflict and understand the impact of the occupation on daily life. Visiting NGOs, refugee camps, and speaking with locals in H1 and H2 provided me with moving stories of resilience and hardship. Despite the challenges, Palestinians are incredibly welcoming and generous, always ready to help or share tea and conversation. Don’t let media stereotypes hold you back.

Hi, I’m Ethan, a 27-year-old student from Ireland, studying International Relations and Conflict Studies at Queen's University Belfast. I spent two weeks in Hebron, Palestine, with the Human Rights and Conflict Program, driven by Ireland’s historic solidarity with Palestine and my academic focus. My time was filled with visits to human rights organizations, refugee camps, and local businesses, offering a firsthand understanding of the daily struggles under occupation. Despite initial safety concerns, the warmth of the locals and the center’s care quickly reassured me. Beyond the program, I embraced Hebron’s vibrant culture, built lasting friendships, and explored cities like Ramallah and Bethlehem. This experience was deeply rewarding, and I’m already planning my next visit :)

Hi, I’m Liam, a 23-year-old student from Australia, and my three weeks in Palestine were truly eye opening. Through the program, I learned the Palestinian dialect with the guidance of my patient instructor, Mr. Muhammad, stayed with a warm and welcoming host family, and visited three refugee camps. Speaking the local language helped me connect deeply with the community in Hebron, while my host family offered me invaluable insights into their culture and daily life. Visiting the refugee camps was both heart wrenching and inspiring, showing me the harsh realities people face alongside their remarkable resilience. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the conflict but also broadened my perspective on global issues. I’d highly recommend it to anyone eager to make a meaningful connection with the region.

Hello, I’m Ricardo from Chile, and I’m 24 years old. I’ve spent three weeks here at the Palestinian Center doing the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Program, and it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve had the chance to meet so many interesting people, hear their stories, and get a firsthand view of what life is really like here. I’ve learned a lot and am taking home so much more than I expected. Although I had hoped to work more directly with the community, the experience has still been really impactful. During the program, I visited two refugee camps, where I met residents, saw their situation, and even played with the kids, which was a highlight for me. We also visited villages like Beit Ummar, where we met Tannen, who shared stories about his family. In Bethlehem, I explored the city with a guide named Raouf, and we had some meaningful conversations about the conflict. The program includes a lot of activities, but there’s also free time to explore with other volunteers. We spent a day in Bethlehem and even two days in Ramallah, which added to the experience. When I arrived, I didn’t know any Arabic, which made the first days a bit challenging. But the Arabic classes here are fantastic. My teacher was friendly and adjusted the lessons to suit my beginner level, which has really motivated me to keep learning once I’m back home. If you’re considering coming to Palestine and are concerned about safety, I can tell you it’s very safe. After three weeks, I feel totally comfortable moving around. The community here feels like a big family; everyone knows each other, and it’s easy to feel at home. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in learning about the culture, the language, and the daily lives of people here. It’s been a truly unforgettable experience.

The Palestinian Center - Go Palestine responded to this reviewNovember 22, 2024

Thank you, Ricardo! We’re glad you had such a meaningful experience and felt safe and inspired!

I traveled from France to the Palestinian Center in Hebron for a three week Arabic course, and it was an incredible experience. The teacher was excellent, and I learned so much during my time in Palestine. My daily schedule varied between field visits to nearby cities, giving English lessons, and taking Arabic lessons. This dynamic routine helped me gain a deeper understanding of Palestine and its people, providing valuable insights into the region and the ongoing conflict. Hebron is a beautiful city with friendly locals and numerous historical sites to explore. The city is unique due to its division into three areas (A, B, C), which offers a comprehensive view of the situation on the ground. I also found the food to be delicious and quite affordable compared to other places I visited in Palestine. As for safety, I felt very secure during my stay. In fact, I felt safer in Hebron than in Jerusalem. The locals are welcoming and friendly, and it's not the chaotic, dangerous place that the media often portrays. Overall, the environment is calm, and people are doing their best to ensure that visitors feel safe. If you're considering a trip to Palestine, I highly recommend booking your tickets now. The staff at the center are incredibly kind and will make you feel right at home. This experience has truly been unforgettable, and I encourage others to come and discover the beauty of Palestine for themselves.

The Palestinian Center - Go Palestine responded to this reviewNovember 22, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear how welcoming and insightful your time in Hebron was, and how safe and enriching your stay felt :)

I’m a 65 year old woman, who traveled solo in April, 2024 to Hebron in the middle of an unjust war. And I had the most incredible experience of my life with “Go Palestine.” I only wish I could have stayed longer than a week…which I will definitely do the next time. I felt safer in Hebron than in my hometown of Chicago. (But be careful crossing the street here!) Every day was packed with activities from visiting cultural and humanitarian organizations, to learning Arabic, to teaching English, to group cooking a local dish. My favorite part was visiting the nearby refugee camp. But that was because of the people. And I have never met a more welcoming people than the Palestinians. From my arrival day, when I got lost (but it’s in my nature to get lost.) A group of teen boys came up to me and helped me lug my two suitcases to the Center. And when I tried to give them a little money for helping me, they were aghast and refused! (What teenage boy wouldn’t like a little money for a soda or ice cream?) Super respectful men, women and children were always asking if I needed help, or wanting to practice their English with me. And the wonderful local family that I stayed with, were always watching out for me. Everyone who was working or volunteering at the center were amazing. Even though I was the oldest one there, they made me feel very welcome, and a part of the group. I highly recommend it to anyone of any age, gender, religion or nationality. It’s affordable and I learned more in my one week of immersion education, than I would have learned in a year of online research. It’s still difficult to truly know what’s it like to live as an everyday Palestinian, but I imagine that it would not have been much different from life in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942. Except that now the oppressed, is the oppressor. And the worst part…is that in 1942 the world had “an excuse” for not knowing.…but in 2024…there’s no excuse.

I’m a 65 year old woman, who traveled solo in April, 2024 to Hebron in the middle of an unjust war. And I had the most incredible experience of my life with “Go Palestine.” I only wish I could have stayed longer than a week…which I will definitely do the next time. I felt safer in Hebron than in my hometown of Chicago. (But be careful crossing the street here!) Every day was packed with activities from visiting cultural and humanitarian organizations, to learning Arabic, to teaching English, to group cooking a local dish. My favorite part was visiting the nearby refugee camp. But that was because of the people. And I have never met a more welcoming people than the Palestinians. From my arrival day, when I got lost (but it’s in my nature to get lost.) A group of teen boys came up to me and helped me lug my two suitcases to the Center. And when I tried to give them a little money for helping me, they were aghast and refused! (What teenage boy wouldn’t like a little money for a soda or ice cream?) Super respectful men, women and children were always asking if I needed help, or wanting to practice their English with me. And the wonderful local family that I stayed with, were always watching out for me. Everyone who was working or volunteering at the center were amazing. Even though I was the oldest one there, they made me feel very welcome, and a part of the group. I highly recommend it to anyone of any age, gender, religion or nationality. It’s affordable and I learned more in my one week of immersion education, than I would have learned in a year of online research. It’s still difficult to truly know what’s it like to live as an everyday Palestinian, but I imagine that it would not have been much different from life in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942. Except that now the oppressed, is the oppressor. And the worst part…is that in 1942 the world had “an excuse” for not knowing.…but in 2024…there’s no excuse.

My name is Linda, I’m 19 and I’m from Italy. I study political science and I therefore decided to apply for the Human Rights Internship here at the Excellence Center. I chose to come to Palestine for many different reasons, but mainly because I was attending a class about this geographical region and I wanted to learn about it directly from the field, rather than just from the books. I spent 6 weeks at the center and I had an amazing experience: the staff at the center is super friendly and welcoming and everyone is always ready to help you out whenever you need. I had the chance to live with a local family which taught me so much about the culture and the traditions here and made me immediately feel like I was one of them. With the center I had the opportunity to take Arabic classes with an amazing teacher and to go on several visits: local families that told me about their life under occupation, refugee camps (where I also had the opportunity to teach English to the kids), Israeli settlements, villages around Hebron, local NGO’s and human rights activists, lawyers… The center also provided us with some classes in order to give us an historical background of the occupation and prepare us before the visits. During my time here I also had the opportunity to go on several trips around the West Bank and Israel with some fellow volunteers: I visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho and the Dead Sea, Jaffa, Haifa and Akka. Regarding safety and security in Palestine, there was never a time that I felt unsafe in Hebron or while traveling: Palestinians are the nicest and most welcoming people I have ever met. After spending 6 weeks in Hebron, I can say beyond doubt that I’m going back to my country as a more educated and experienced person. I definitely recommend the center to anyone interested in learning more about Palestine and helping its people: I am already planning on going back next year!

My name is Hibiki Kanda. I have a degree in International Liberal Arts and will be studying for master’s degree in Migration and Development from 25th September. During my stay in the Excellence centre, I was involved in Volunteering with refugees program and I learnt Arabic, visited sites in Hebron, heared local people’s stories and taught in Al Fawwar camp. I found the Arabic lessons a lot of fun. I wish to continue learning it. I found the environment in the centre excellent. Everybody is very kind and so welcoming. You are at home from day 1. During my time I visited, Abraham Mosque, Al Fawwar camp, Old town and Human rights defenders. I also visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Dead Sea and Tel-Aviv during my whole stay in Palestine. I found living in Hebron quite Amazing. It was far safer than I had originally thought. You can walk around alone without any concern during day or in the evening. What I most like about Palestine was the people. The Hospitality was amazing. Meeting the people was my favourite experience. The friendliness of everyone in Hebron was just so good. My lasting impression of Hebron and Palestine is how kind everybody is. Would like to come back to meet everyone again. Overall it was brilliant. Would definitely recommend to my friends.

My name is Fionn McPeake, I am 22 years old, and I am from Ireland. My stay at centre lasted only 10 days, although I wish I could have stayed for longer. I participated in the Human Rights Internship, and it was a fascinating and enriching experience. The program consisted of unforgettable trips, meetings, and discussions in Hebron and beyond, including a tour of the old town and Al Ibrahimi Mosque, and a visit to Al Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron. Although my stay was short, I was still able to get see the difficulties Palestinian people face everyday as a result of the Israeli occupation. Despite these difficulties, the people here are among the friendliest and most welcoming I have ever come across. They are happy to help you at every turn and go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home. Safety really is not an issue for visitors, and I felt super comfortable throughout the entire experience. The Centre also presents a wonderful opportunity to learn Arabic. Due to the amazing teaching at the Centre and the immersion experience of living in Hebron, I was able to achieve a good level of understanding of Levantine Arabic in quite a short time. My teacher, Haya, was so helpful and kind, as are all of the other teachers at the Centre. One of the best parts of the experience here was meeting so many lovely, like-minded volunteers/interns during my stay. With the weekend off, you have the opportunity to travel with friends you make to other beautiful places outside of Hebron – for example, I was able to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho (hot), and even swim in the Dead Sea. Throughout the experience I have also had the chance to try a huge range of Palestinian foods which I look forward to trying to replicate at home in Ireland. Overall, my stay in Palestine has been hugely enjoyable and incredibly interesting. I have met so many amazing people and learnt so much in such a short time and I am looking forward to coming back for longer. I highly recommend coming to the centre for anyone who is looking to immerse themselves in the wonderful culture Palestine and its people have to offer.

I had such a beautiful and enriching experience at the Excellence center in Palestine and am already counting down the days until I can return. I learned a lot and formed really valuable connections with the people I met here. I loved my Arabic teacher and she did a really great job of teaching in a way that would most benefit my communication ability during my trip. I’m keeping all of my notes to be able to continue to study Arabic when I return home. Living with a host family was also super beneficial in helping me learn Arabic as I was immersed in the language and was able to hear the things I was taught in class used in a natural setting everyday. There was a great community within the center and I made connections with other teachers and made lifelong friends with the other volunteers I met here. I was able to visit many organizations working towards improving the life of Palestinians in many sectors and build relationships with multiple Palestinian lawyers. As a law student it was very interesting to have lengthy discussions comparing legal proceedings in Palestine and my home country and learning about how the legal system works in Palestine. The best part of my visit was my wonderful host family. They made me feel right at home and included me in all family activities. Everyone here is so welcoming and eager to share their homes and stories. The food is also amazing and I tried so many new dishes that I had never even heard of before arriving. As a solo female traveller I felt safe everywhere I went and was able to travel to other cities in the West Bank with no issues and see many historically and religiously significant sites. I had an extremely positive experience at the Excellence center and would encourage any travellers looking to come to Palestine to enroll in one of the many interesting programs offered here.