Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center

I'd traveled for a month through the middle east exploring the history of civilisation with my daughter who's studying anthropology. As two white females this had had some challenges. We came to Palestine and were met by nothing but good will, and genuine open hearted welcome. The political and lived experience of the Palestinians is difficult but the people are so open and warm and friendly, genuinely glad that someone has come to visit them and see their country. Staying with a host family was a new experience for us but now I'd recommend it and definitely do it again. It was such an opportunity to learn and connect with people and a welcome change from a hostel or hotel room. We had the opportunity to live and see how they live. Staying with a family and meeting their extended family was so much fun. We only had a few days but if you can, spend a couple of weeks, it's an amazing thing to do.

My name is Antonio, I am from Italy. Two weeks ago, I was volunteering in Palestine at the Palestinian center (Go Palestine), the experience without any doubt was amazing and I had great times there. At the beginning I was hesitated to travel to Palestine because of what you heard from the news and you saw in the Tv but after I came, my opinion changed totally. Palestine is a very unique country and its people OMG they are very friendly which I really felt home while I am there. I joined volunteer with Palestinian children program for one month, I had fun times with the kids where I was teaching them English and I loved being with them and play with them. The Palestinian center's staff helped me a lot especially Mss. Ahlam whom I was teaching the kids with, she was very friendly and helped me with the material and organizing the activities as well. I also learned Arabic during my time there with my great teacher Isaac who always active in the class, my favorite word so far in Arabic is "Jameel" which means beautiful! I will definitely come back again! Love Palestine! :)

I am Adriana, 22 years old from Porto in Portugal. Palestine was the first place I traveled to out of Europe. Palestine wasn't actually on my travel plan, I was thinking of going to Japan or Malaysia but a friend of mine "Bárbara" who volunteered in Hebron three months ago told me about her experience there and how she loved this country and its people, at the end she succeeds to convince me : My parents were a bit worried about me going there, they thought that my life would be in danger but according to my experience, Palestine is very safe, I never felt unsafe all my internship period. I joined "The Palestinian Culture Program" organized by Go Palestine in Hebron. I have met many Palestinians, especially families and talked to them and asked them about their daily habits and traditions. Also, I had the chance to cook a Palestinian meal called "Kosa Mahshi", I was happy to learn how to make it and it tastes delicious. I took Arabic classes at the center. At the beginning it a bit hard to understand but from the second class everything was clear, and it was great coz I tried to use what I learned with Palestinians where sometimes it was hard to remember how do I say my name or my age: P I would recommend volunteering or interning in Palestine and especially in Hebron and yes, I'll come back next year inshallaaaaaaah! Greetings from Portugal!