Volunteers taking part in short-term volunteer projects in Germany will be responsible for teaching one-to-one conversational English courses to students at the Center, as well as instructing small groups (anywhere from 2 – 5 students). Students come from a plethora of backgrounds, with ages ranging
I wasn't sure what to expect with the Excellence Centre but I felt so welcomed as soon as I arrived. Rafat is wonderful, considerate, proudly Palestinian, and treats everyone like family. I loved getting to know him and hearing about Palestine. Rafat would also make breakfast for everyone every morning, it was very homey. Muaz was my teacher for intensive Arabic, as a result, I spent around 3 hours a day with him for 5 days a week and became very fond of him. He's known for being very funny, but he is also very very compassionate, and as a refugee from Syria incredibly strong. I learned more in 2 weeks with him than I had for an entire year of studying Arabic. I can't really put into words how incredible he is at teaching, he has a gift for it, and the 3-hour classes always felt like 5 minutes. There were times when I used to sit beside the heater because it was warm and he would come sit next to me on the floor and teach me there, no questions asked. Another time when I wanted to try cooking Ful, so he came early in the morning and taught me Arabic whilst cooking with me. He would also always offer to make me tea which is really sweet. The classes are tailored around you. Everyone who works here is so lovely, and I'm going to struggle to find a teacher like Muaz again. The classes aren't like being in school/university, they are a lot more relaxed and personal, and the time goes by quickly. We took a class going around Halle and meeting Muaz's friend's shop who speaks Arabic and is very funny, we also took a class whilst touring around Leipzig, which was a lot of fun. Rafat also takes everyone out to dinner the day someone is leaving, we went to a beautiful Yemeni restaurant that is hidden away and you can't find it online. I was really sad to leave the Excellence Centre, I've made so many core memories there.
I wasn't sure what to expect with the Excellence Centre but I felt so welcomed as soon as I arrived. Rafat is wonderful, considerate, proudly Palestinian, treats everyone like family. I loved getting to know him and hearing about Palestine. Rafat would also make breakfast for everyone every morning, it was very homey. Muaz was my teacher for intensive arabic, as a result I spent around 3hours a day with him for 5 days a week and became very fond of him. He's known for being very funny, but he is also very very compassionate, and as a refugee from Syria incredibly strong. I learnt more in 2 weeks with him than I had for an entire year of studying Arabic. I can't really put into words how incredible he is at teaching, he has a gift for it, and the 3 hour classes always felt like 5 minutes. There were times where I used to sit besides the heater because it was warm and he would come sit next to me on the floor and teach me there, no questions asked. Another time where I wanted to try cooking Ful, so he came early in the morning and taught me Arabic whilst cooking with me. He would also always offer to make me tea which is really sweet. The classes are tailored around you. Everyone who works here is so lovely, and I'm going to struggle to find a teacher like Muaz again. The classes aren't like being in school/university, they are a lot more relaxed and personal; the time goes by quick. We took a class going around Halle and meeting Muaz's friend's shop who speaks Arabic and is very funny, we also took a class whilst touring around Leipzig, which was a lot of fun. Rafat also takes everyone out to dinner the day someone is leaving, we went to a beautiful Yemeni restaurant that is hidden away and you can't find online. I was really sad to leave the Excellence Centre, I've made so many core memories there.
Didn't want to leave
November 01, 2025by: Tamanna Tai < - United Kingdom
I wasn't sure what to expect with the Excellence Centre but I felt so welcomed as soon as I arrived. Rafat is wonderful, considerate, proudly Palestinian, and treats everyone like family. I loved getting to know him and hearing about Palestine. Rafat would also make breakfast for everyone every morning, it was very homey. Muaz was my teacher for intensive Arabic, as a result, I spent around 3 hours a day with him for 5 days a week and became very fond of him. He's known for being very funny, but he is also very very compassionate, and as a refugee from Syria incredibly strong. I learned more in 2 weeks with him than I had for an entire year of studying Arabic. I can't really put into words how incredible he is at teaching, he has a gift for it, and the 3-hour classes always felt like 5 minutes. There were times when I used to sit beside the heater because it was warm and he would come sit next to me on the floor and teach me there, no questions asked. Another time when I wanted to try cooking Ful, so he came early in the morning and taught me Arabic whilst cooking with me. He would also always offer to make me tea which is really sweet. The classes are tailored around you. Everyone who works here is so lovely, and I'm going to struggle to find a teacher like Muaz again. The classes aren't like being in school/university, they are a lot more relaxed and personal, and the time goes by quickly. We took a class going around Halle and meeting Muaz's friend's shop who speaks Arabic and is very funny, we also took a class whilst touring around Leipzig, which was a lot of fun. Rafat also takes everyone out to dinner the day someone is leaving, we went to a beautiful Yemeni restaurant that is hidden away and you can't find it online. I was really sad to leave the Excellence Centre, I've made so many core memories there.
I wasn't sure what to expect with the Excellence Centre but I felt so welcomed as soon as I arrived. Rafat is wonderful, considerate, proudly Palestinian, treats everyone like family. I loved getting to know him and hearing about Palestine. Rafat would also make breakfast for everyone every morning, it was very homey. Muaz was my teacher for intensive arabic, as a result I spent around 3hours a day with him for 5 days a week and became very fond of him. He's known for being very funny, but he is also very very compassionate, and as a refugee from Syria incredibly strong. I learnt more in 2 weeks with him than I had for an entire year of studying Arabic. I can't really put into words how incredible he is at teaching, he has a gift for it, and the 3 hour classes always felt like 5 minutes. There were times where I used to sit besides the heater because it was warm and he would come sit next to me on the floor and teach me there, no questions asked. Another time where I wanted to try cooking Ful, so he came early in the morning and taught me Arabic whilst cooking with me. He would also always offer to make me tea which is really sweet. The classes are tailored around you. Everyone who works here is so lovely, and I'm going to struggle to find a teacher like Muaz again. The classes aren't like being in school/university, they are a lot more relaxed and personal; the time goes by quick. We took a class going around Halle and meeting Muaz's friend's shop who speaks Arabic and is very funny, we also took a class whilst touring around Leipzig, which was a lot of fun. Rafat also takes everyone out to dinner the day someone is leaving, we went to a beautiful Yemeni restaurant that is hidden away and you can't find online. I was really sad to leave the Excellence Centre, I've made so many core memories there.
