Volunteer Teaching English in Palestine Program

My name is Genevieve and I'm a Physics PhD student from the United States. I came to the Excellence Center for one month to teach English and learn Arabic, but my experience encompasses so much more than that. I got to see the Old City of Hebron, witness discrimination against Palestinians by Israeli guards, and speak with people who endured physical violence perpetrated by the settlers and soldiers. The Excellence Center helped arrange for me to visit Ibrahimi Mosque, the glass factory, and the kuffiyeh factory. I also got to visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Masafer Yatta. Everyone at the center was so warm and welcoming. We were served breakfast every day and often also enjoyed dinner with our hosts. Even the students I taught were welcoming. They sometimes gave me chocolates and were always so engaged and excited to learn. The apartment I lived in was comfortable and very close to the center. I never felt scared, even when walking alone at night as a woman. The locals always seem happy to chat with foreigners and give directions or recommendations. The local cuisine is also amazing and I'm excited to try making some of the new foods I tried here, like maqluba and sahlab. One of the most valuable parts of my experience here was getting to see the settler areas in Hebron and Masafer Yatta. Seeing the stark differences in infrastructure and quality of life between the Palestinian and settler areas was eye opening. Even though I'm sad to leave, I'm excited to be able to use my experience to educate others about what is actually happening in the West Bank. Since I'm from the luscious green pacific northwest in the US, I'm also very happy that I got to experience the natural landscape in Palestine. One of my students was kind enough to take me hiking and exploring a cave. I'm grateful that I got to have such a well rounded experience by meeting people of all ages, including students, working adults, journalists, and local human rights activists, hearing first-hand accounts of settler violence, and seeing different parts of the city including some nature. I will always remember the kind people I met here and their experiences with the occupation. My Arabic teacher Haya was extremely patient with me. I learned more Arabic from her in one month than i did in three months in America. My hosts Osama and Marwa were always kind and inviting despite having their hands full with four beautiful children. Even before I left, I was already trying to plan my next trip to visit Palestine again. The Excellence Center truly provides a unique life-changing experience and I'm so thankful to everyone I met here who welcomed me with open arms and helped me understand the local situation. I can't wait to come back and in the meantime I hope I can use my experience to support the Palestinian cause.

My name is Gina and I participated in the teaching English program. I stayed for over 2 months with a host family who were incredibly welcoming and made me feel at ease being a new place. At the centre I had Arabic lessons which really helped me to be able to communicate in the city and beyond, by the end of my stay I definitely had an understanding of the basics. I taught intermediate English to a group of young students over the summer and I think this was my favourite experience, I learnt a lot about Palestine through them. The Excellence Centre also organised many visits to areas of Palestine I wouldn’t have seen if travelling on my own. We had opportunities to meet many different types of people and listen to their stories. The tours around the old town of Hebron and surrounding areas were really interesting and I really value the shared experiences I had. It was wonderful to meet so many people from all over the world within the centre, there really was a varied group of volunteers, so a real cultural exchange. I made friends and we managed to travel around the country to Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho and Jenin. The people of Palestine are incredibly kind and welcoming and there is a real sense of community here. I am sad to be leaving and would love to return soon so I can see the friends I made here. Thankyou to the Excellence Centre for giving me an experience to remember for a lifetime.

Hi, my name is Osmn, and I’m from Norway. I have a master degree in teaching and I work as a primary school teacher back home in Norway. I participated in the programme called Teach English & study Arabic for 4,5 weeks. At the excellence center I taught at two private funded schools, and also students who study English at the excellence center. It was great fun! I have also participated at the arranged trips they offer to experience different parts of the West Bank. I have had the best Arabic teacher I could have asked for. Saj’a is one of the most talented teachers I have met, and I have learned so much from her. Her way of teaching is inspiring and I will most definitely try to keep up with my Arabic when I go back home. The staff and teachers at the center are so lovely, and I have had so many great conversations with them. Teaching with Isaac was very interesting and I have learnt a lot from him. I have also enjoyed being with the other internationals very much. The male dorm was great. Good standards and a great place to chill. I felt very secure in Hebron, even with the ongoing tension. Most people here are so friendly and you will get a lot of invitations by people on the street to come join them for coffee. I suggest you do it! The food is of course amazing, especially compared to Norway. I will miss my daily falafel at the corner falafel place. I really enjoyed the programme, and I will most definitely recommend it, especially for teachers who want to experience teaching abroad. Me sjåast att!

My name is Donna-Maria Corr and I am from Ireland. I was on the Volunteer Teaching English and Learning Arabic programme for two months at the Excellence Centre in Hebron, Palestine. Part of my activities involved assisting some of the Palestinian teachers at the centre. The local teachers would teach English grammar rules through Arabic, to ensure that students had a good foundation and understanding of the grammatical rules before I would begin a practice session with the students. This was a helpful experience as I came to the centre with little teaching experience, and I believe that this helped increase my confidence in the classroom. I also enjoyed learning Arabic, and Marwa was a fantastic teacher. At the centre I was able to participate in some activities such as, a tour of the old town in Hebron, I got to visit Ibrahim Mosque. I also had the opportunity to speak to some local Palestinian business owners in the old town and I got to hear their stories. This was a very eye-opening experience. The centre also organised a trip to Dar Saba Monastery near Bethlehem. I got to meet many international people and local people during my time in Hebron and friendships were formed. During my time at the centre, I was able to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. I was able to see and do so much and it was an experience of a lifetime. During my time in Hebron, I stayed with a host family. This was an interesting experience, as I could really experience Palestinian family life first hand. My host family were very kind and welcoming. Palestinian families are very much like Irish families, we value the importance of family life and I liked how close the family are. I had two unpleasant experiences, both with taxi drivers in the city while I was taking a taxi to my host family, but this was nothing to do with the centre and not within their control. I preferred not to get a taxi after this, and mostly walked. To clarify, I didn’t feel unsafe on the street walking, it is just like walking in any city and most people just wanted to chat and welcome you to the city. Overall, I found the people of Hebron very warm, friendly, and welcoming. My second day at the centre I was walking back to my host family house, when I got lost. I was worried and a bit stressed, as I didn’t speak any Arabic and I had yet to get a SIM card, so I had no internet. I made my way to the Regency Hotel, and they spoke English to me. The staff at the hotel were very helpful, I was offered a drink and one of the staff contacted Marwa to find out directions. This confirmed that local people were kind and willing to help you. My overall impression of my time in Palestine is that the effects of this occupation are evident, the Palestinian people try to carry on with their day to day lives in peace from what I have witnessed. However, it is everyday things that most of us take for granted in our own countries, that are made difficult for Palestinian people and it will not be covered by media, such as the electricity cutting out, the shortage of water supply, 3G internet, rubbish bins overflowing, locals not allowed free movement of travel. Life is difficult for Palestinians, but despite this the people of Hebron are some of the kindest, most peaceful, and welcoming people I’ve ever met. I would recommend for anyone to come here and experience the occupation for themselves, but it’s not just a better understanding of the occupation you gain, it’s the amazing people you meet while you are here. I would like to thank the excellence centre for everything they do, this is such a vital community centre for the people of Hebron and so many children, young people and foreigners benefit from the centre. Marwa, Osama and all the teachers at the centre do an amazing job. It’s clearly not just a ‘job’ for them, they genuinely care about what they do. I would like to thank them for all their help and support, and I hope to return in the future.

My name is Jamil Shiha, and I am Palestinian from America. I was in the Teach English and Study Arabic program. During my stay in Hebron, I also participated in activities here such as visiting the Old City and presentations from other volunteers at the Excellence Center. I found my Arabic lessons here very helpful. They helped improve my speech, vocabulary, and grammar. The staff at the Excellence Center was overall great. They were very nice, generous, and helpful to me. I enjoyed living with the volunteers at our dorm. I felt safe living in Hebron. After volunteering here, I look forward to coming back to visit again. I had a great experience volunteering and learning Arabic at the Excellence Center and recommend it to others.

Hello, my name is Audria, and I am from the United States. I have two bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures from Indiana University. During my time at the Excellence Center in Palestine, I participated in the Teach English & Study Arabic program. As an English teacher, I gave multiple private lessons and taught large classrooms with students of all ages and levels. In addition to preparing for lessons and teaching certain classes, I gave a presentation on the experience of teaching for other English teachers at the center. As for my Arabic courses, I had one or two lessons per week with an Arabic instructor. These courses helped me learn more about the Palestinian dialect and Ammiya Arabic as a whole. I visited a few sites with the Human Rights Program, including a trip to the Governor’s Office and the Hebron Municipality. Additionally, I went on a few trips with the entire Center, which included a site visit to a mountainous area where we ate dinner together. The Excellence Center’s environment is very open, caring, and easy-going. The staff and faculty are always willing to answer your questions and take care of your concerns. The Center is quite lenient with your schedule and available to your suggestions and recommendations. Other volunteers are nice and tolerant, as most of them come to Palestine with a similar sense of curiosity, adventure, interest, and respect. Throughout my time in Palestine, I visited several cities and places. I traveled to Ramallah, Jerusalem, Nablus, and Bethlehem. I visited more southern parts of Palestine with my host family. The host family I stayed with was lovely and very welcoming. Through living with a family from Hebron, in Hebron, I was given a full immersion to the culture and the language. In regard to safety, I felt very safe in Hebron and Palestine at-large. Other than normal uncertainties and moments of hyper-awareness that are expected with any travel experience, my time in Palestine was safe and secure. My favorite thing about Palestine is the people, the Palestinians. Of course, the food and the environments are delightful, but the people are what make Palestine great. My favorite stories are simply of the many laughs and moments I had with the friends I made through the fellow interns and volunteers at the Center. Overall, my experience in Palestine and with the Excellence Center was beautiful and lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed my time. I highly recommend this experience to others, especially those that want to fully immerse themselves in the culture, language, and the environment.

INTRO My name is Luke Hudson. I am an American born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I currently live in St. Petersburg, Florida, where I work full time as a restaurant manager and study full time at Eckerd College. I am in the process of obtaining two bachelor’s degrees. My first degree is in International Relations (B.A.) with a specialization in Human Rights and a regional concentration in the Middle East. My second degree is in Political Science (B.A.). I’m also acquiring a minor in Arabic. In Palestine, I participated in the Summer Internship at the Excellence Center (EC). I chose this internship for a variety of reasons. First, I decided on Palestine for its Arabic -as I am studying the Levantine dialect of Arabic at university- and its intriguing political conflict. Because of this conflict, human rights violations are happening daily, and this provides me the unique opportunity to research and learn about the topic firsthand. Additionally, I chose the Excellence Center in Hebron because of its reputation, magnificent Arabic instruction, human rights internship, and most importantly, its flexibility. I could only travel for less than a month as I cannot afford to take over a month due to my job. Also, I needed 150 internship hours for University credit. However, the Excellence Center was highly flexible and willing to work with my schedule. So, combining ECs flexibility, Arabic instruction, and internship made the decision easy. ARRIVAL & THE BEGINNING My first impression of Palestine was interesting. I have never traveled outside of the United States. So, it wasn’t surprising I experienced extreme culture shock – as any first-time traveler does. However, unlike most travelers who travel to popular tourist sites like Paris or Costa Rica, I traveled to Hebron, Palestine – an area rich in tradition yet negatively affected by the Israeli occupation. Because of this, I would argue that my culture shock was much more dramatic than others. A seven-hour time difference, radical driving, an unknown city, a foreign language, and much more were enough to give me the jitters. Nevertheless, I adjusted all thanks to the Excellence Center’s warm hospitality. I flew into Ben Gurion Airport. After many delays and a cancellation later due to complications by American Airlines, I finally arrived. The transition from the plane to my taxi wasn’t too complicated. Ben Gurion Airport is relatively easy to navigate as it displays English throughout. Baggage claim was easy as well. However, I only seemed to have complications at customs as I was asked the same questions three times after I told the agent I was traveling to Hebron for my internship. They weren’t too fond of me traveling to Palestinian territory. However, I remained consistent and composed, and they let me through – only telling me to “be careful over there” – this felt shallow. However, I was at customs for only about ten minutes, so my customs experience was a breeze compared to others. The EC had arranged a private ride from the airport to the Center for me. A friend of the Center picked me up in his black sedan. Unfortunately, he didn’t speak English, so the ride was slightly awkward. However, he delivered me to the Center safely in roughly an hour and a half. The faculty at the Center greeted me with traditional Palestinian coffee and introduced me to the members present. Afterward, I was driven to my residence. As a male participant, I stayed in a shared flat with fellow male participants at the Center per customary measures. According to US standards, I stayed alone in a “not-so-nice” place the first night. Naturally, this made me worried, but the Excellence Center assured me I was safe and comforted. Once my colleagues moved into my residence the next day, I felt even more secure—however, more on my living situation later in this article. SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HOSPITALITY IN PALESTINE Did I feel safe in Palestine? On my first night, no. But, this is only because I have never traveled outside of the United States nor to the Middle East. So, I would argue that anyone in my position would feel the same. Nevertheless, I soon lost this feeling the very next day as I started my internship at the Excellence Center. As stated previously, the Excellence Center is genuinely, well, excellent. They provide everything and more that one may need to succeed and to feel comfortable and safe. I can say for sure that it is indeed safe here. Take it from a first-time traveler. Additionally, regardless of what one may presume, the Palestinian citizens are remarkably hospitable – you just have to be brave enough to create conversation. Palestinians are highly family-oriented. Because of this, though you may not be blood-related, Palestinians treat their newfound friends as blood. I can say this from experience as I made a fantastic friend and now brother named Mohammed at a local gym. He spoke broken English, and I spoke broken Arabic. Together, we shared the common interest of exercise, and over this interest, we created a bond I never would’ve found in the States. We eat, work out, smoke sheesha, exchange language, and have fun routinely. Moreover, I have created over five other additional friends I routinely hang out with. In the States, it is hard to make a strong friendship this fast. In Palestine, all it takes is patience and respect, and within minutes, you have created a friend that will keep you safe as if you are family – as you have become family to them now. They will keep you safe. Also, living and learning with your colleagues here establishes a sensation of warmth and security. SUMMER INTERNSHIP My internship included multiple trips and meetings to essential locations, the opportunity to teach English to Palestinians both privately and in group settings, intensive one-on-one Arabic lessons, and individual writing compositions like article construction and revision. Weekly I worked from 8:30 to 18:00 with the ability to leave for coffee breaks or lunch Sunday through Thursday. I also had the freedom to work remotely at one of the local cafes if I was writing or revising. I often used one of the classrooms at the Center to work as well. I worked this much because I needed to acquire the 150 hours of work required by my University in my short three weeks at the Center. The first week consisted of trips, presentations about human rights, teaching English, and article drafting. I made many friends at the Center and built a fantastic relationship with my students that first week. My second week consisted of strictly immersion trips and meetings. Without diving too deep into detail, I visited the Old City of Hebron, Al-Shohada Street- where we interviewed a Palestinian widow living around an Israeli settlement, a local Refugee Camp- where we interviewed a refugee family- the Hebron Chamber of Commerce to interview the Head of Commerce, the Office of the Mayor to interview the Mayor, a local secondary school to learn about the Palestinian education system, and the Governor’s office to interview the Governor of Hebron. Both my brain and my notebook are filled with notes and valuable information. My third week at the Center consisted of intensive Arabic, where I had one-on-one instruction for three hours. Doha, my excellent instructor, catered to my learning style and taught me a great deal of Arabic in only one week. I am entirely able to have intermediate-level conversations already in this short time. We built an incredible friendship, and I highly recommend learning with her. She is terrific and inshallah I will see her soon. There were also new excursions and presentations I also attended throughout the week. LIFE, FREE TIME, & TRIPS Unrecognized to the western mind, thanks to biased media, Hebron is built like every other city. The city hosts a plethora of shops, cafes, and activities. Every day I would be at a local cafe, restaurant, or a different destination where my friends and I would eat, study, play games, meet people, smoke sheesha, drink delicious mocktails, and laugh. One night we even went horseback riding after being invited to a Palestinian’s home for dinner (this happens all of the time – take advantage of it). For avid gym-goers like myself, there are a couple of options around. Depending on where you live, anyone can find an affordable gym. Prestige Gym was the choice of all of the men given that its location was close to our flat. However, Future Gym is the best according to the locals. After work, if I wasn’t meeting up with anyone at a cafe or different location, I would find my way to the gym for a good workout and sauna. If the Center didn’t already have something planned for us during a weekend, participants had the opportunity to travel elsewhere. Ramallah, Nablus, Jerusalem, Jericho, and the Dead Sea are all locations within reach. During my free weekends, I traveled to Nablus, Jericho, and the Dead Sea. During my last week in Palestine, I traveled to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with fellow colleagues as we all had flights around the same time. We toured popular spots and frequented fun restaurants and clubs. Depending on your schedule, participants have a significant amount of free time in their schedule. Even I still had a great deal of free time working nine hours or more. Others, like those just studying Arabic, have the most time for adventure. So, every schedule is different, with ample opportunities for exploration and relaxation. LASTING IMPRESSIONS The staff at the Center is incomparable. Every member is willing to aid your every need, practice Arabic with you, and will run with any requests. In addition, the Center is clean and homey; it provides a significant amount of space for both learning and bonding. Mahmoud, one of the Center’s tour guides, made a lasting impression on me. His knowledge, hospitality, and humor are something I will truly miss. Yet, I know I will see him again soon one day, inshallah. What I will surely miss the most is Palestinian’s hospitality. As stated before, Palestinians provide a warmth that I have never felt in the States, nor will I ever feel again, I believe. Being invited to homes, farms, weddings, etc., is uncommon in the United States; however, here, it is custom. You are never alone here as anyone will take you in as their own. Writing barely encompasses what I feel. Moreover, the geological views that Palestine offers are genuinely breathtaking. My photo library is stacked with images – mainly from Nablus, as Nablus consists of glorious mountain ranges and ancient archeological sites. Being surrounded by so many different colleagues with varying ages, ethnicities, nationalities, backgrounds, education, and knowledge of the area allows for extreme self-exploration. I often felt unworthy to be in the presence of some of my fellow colleagues who knew multiple different languages and have traveled to thirty or more countries. Most of them had a better idea of the area and conflict than I and the language. So, it was pretty intimidating, yet liberating, as I was able to learn from them, thus expanding my mind. Therefore, each colleague established something new within my spirit, and I have made everlasting friends I plan to meet with again inshallah. CRITIQUES & SUGGESTIONS No program, place, or institution is perfect. Though the Center comes close, it’s crucial and mature to discuss my critiques. First, I would like to discuss my living arrangement. The men’s living quarters isn’t necessarily a five-star Airbnb. Not that I cared about the physical appearance of the flat, but with bedroom doors missing handles and locks, a loose front door handle, broken cabinets in the kitchen and master bedroom, and anonymous clothing left behind in the wardrobe, one may be slightly concerned. Additionally, during my stay, my flatmates and I did not have hot water for over two weeks, and the water occasionally stopped running throughout my stay, leaving us without water some days. Along with this, it took some time until we received a fan to cool the flat during the summer heat. Granted, I do not want to put the entire blame on the Center, as we gentlemen are responsible for communicating all needs and complications during our stay. But, water is a basic need, and not having running water some days is alarming. However, the Center quickly reacted when we called on them to fix the issue. I think with a thorough inspection of the space and appliances, a deep clean, removal or the repair of items and pre-existing belongings, the purchase of essential utilities like fans, kitchen supplies, fresh bed sheets, pillows, cleaning supplies, and insect repellent the men’s flat will become an adequate living space. Secondly, I would like to critique the structure of the Center and its programs. I was a part of the summer internship, which meant I would attend the activities of the human rights program, teach English, attend all immersion field trips, write articles, create presentations, and have intensive Arabic courses. My program was the most expensive and blended all programs in one. However, colleagues who strictly participated in the intensive Arabic program or only taught English would attend the immersion trips and human rights presentations. This is not included in their outline or tuition. Moreover, these programs cost much less. Therefore, I felt my tuition cost was unfair as it seemed anyone could join any event at will regardless of their chosen program. There needs to be stricter enforcement of programs in the future to ensure the fairness of pay and a better outline of each program in person upon arrival. I would suggest an orientation day on the first day for each new participant. This orientation would explain their chosen program in-depth, provide a weekly schedule of said program, a tour of the Center and the surrounding city, the faculty members, expectations, commute help, what the Center does and offers, and a space to answer all questions. FINAL REMARKS My experience in Palestine and my internship at the Excellence Center is one that I will cherish. Between the work I completed, the research I acquired, the students I impacted, the Arabic I learned, the knowledge I gained, the memories I experienced, and the friends I made, my short month in Palestine exceeded my expectations. I will never forget the people and their inherent hospitality. Nor will I forget the truth that I obtained here about the occupation and the lives of Palestinians. I plan to fight for Palestinian freedom in the ways that I can. I will meet my friends again. Without the Center, I would not have accomplished my goals before arrival. The Center is the only choice I would recommend for someone looking to be humbled and impact themselves and others. Thank you, Rafat, Marwa, Osama, Doha, Sajah, Mahmoud, and my other friends for teaching, welcoming, and creating our bond. Inshallah, I will return.

My time at the Excellence Center was some of the best time in my life, I had so much fun and I laughed a lot. All the Palestinian teachers and staff are some of the best people I have ever met, they were extremely welcoming, respectful, friendly and kind. I felt more welcomed at the Excellence Center than I have anywhere else in my life. The Palestinian students were also very eager to learn and very excited to meet foreigners and speak English with them. My Arabic teacher was wonderful, she was very supportive and made our lessons together both fun and educational. The Palestinian teachers were always willing to help me with anything I needed for English classes and also gave me really great advice. Sometimes I joined classes with Palestinian teachers, sometimes I taught classes by myself and sometimes I taught with other international volunteers. I became more confident, comfortable and better at teaching English during my time here, thanks to all the people at the Excellence Center. The Palestinian people in Hebron were also wonderful and very kind. I felt very safe, as a woman, walking down the street in Hebron alone at night. I felt more safe here than I did anywhere else in the world. Sometimes people on the street would say hello, how are you, welcome, but it was always in a friendly way and I never felt hassled. It's very different to places like Egypt or Jordan. I found Palestinian men to be very respectful towards me, much more so than men in Western countries. I cannot recommend the Excellence Center enough, whether you want to just study Arabic, Teach English or do another program. The first few days were overwhelming because I was somewhere new and meeting lots of new people, but after that I started to enjoy it so much that I didn't want to leave. I had some of the best times of my life and met some of my favourite people ever. I would do it all again if I could!

Hi I am Tariq (as the Palestinians would call me), I am from France and have just spent 2 weeks in Hebron (Al Khaleel) with the Excellence center. I participated in the teach English and learn Arabic volunteering program. This program consists on giving some English lessons to children, teenagers or adults of different age groups and levels as well as getting some Arabic lessons on the side with a one-on-one teacher. The lessons were of great quality and I am leaving, although haven spent only 2 weeks, with the full alphabet and how to read it and some conversation. I thank my amazing teacher Marwa for that ,) The center is in a recent building close to the center of town and has all you need to learn and share. I stayed in a shared apartment with other volunteers very close to the city center. It has all you need to stay from 1 week to 3 months. During my stay I had the opportunity to travel to Ramallah and Bethlehem on day trips. Transport is very accessible and cheap. If you are concerned with safety in Palestine, you shouldn't. The whole experience felt an easy ride in Palestinian territory, the local people are extremely welcoming and always up to show or help you around. I leave full of good memories and encounters, the overall experience was wholesome and I plan to come back as soon as possible to keep improving my language skills and discover more about Palestinian history, culture etc... Thanks everyone !! Bashufak !!

I had a great time at the Excellence Center in Hebron! From the very first moment it felt like being part of a family and everyone was very welcoming! I got the chance to teach in various contexts, at the Center, in schools, and in refugee camps. I felt like students were always very eager to learn english and very motivated. I had the chance to stay with a host family, which truly was a great experience. They included my in their everyday lifes and showed me so many things! It was great to learn more about the Palestinian culture this way and to practice my Arabic. The Arabic classes were very helpful. Lessons are giving individually and focus on the most important things to learn. That way I could immediately practice the things I learned. Overall, I can really recommend coming to the Excellence Center in Hebron. People are really welcoming and I felt safe at all times.

My name's Jasmine, from Manchester UK. This is the best course for anyone wanting to study Arabic in Palestine. I can't recommend it highly enough -- immersive, welcoming, a good pace, and in Hebron which is an extremely welcoming city. Thanks so much to my Arabic teacher and now friend Bisaan and the Excellence Center for welcoming me. I felt completely safe all the time and think anyone, any age or gender, would feel completely safe here too. Shukran ktir.

My name is Anna and I am a 31-year-old journalist from Spain participating in "teach English, learn Arabic" program in the Excellence center. I decided to visit Palestine because I read a lot about rich Palestinian history and culture and I wanted to see for myself how an everyday life looks like in this region which is unfortunately often misrepresented in the media. Also, I wanted to learn the Arabic language. I applied for the Excellence center course because I was drawn to its program that tries to benefit the local community, as well as to allow participants to really get to know how the life in Palestine looks like. My first impressions were overwhelming: people of Palestine are so welcoming and friendly, making you feel like you are at home. My advice to everybody would be to let go of fears and prejudices one might have about the Middle East and come enjoy great music, culture, food, and the company of Palestinians. I feel completely safe in Palestine and people are more than willing to help if you need it. Of course, one should get familiar with the culture different from theirs to know do's and dont's, just like when traveling anywhere else. During my stay in Hebron, I went to the local schools and participated in English classes in Excellence center, group ones as well as the private ones. It's a good way to be in touch with people and get a more authentic experience and I was glad to see the students were so motivated and willing to learn. My host family made the whole experience amazing, making their home feel like mine too, I couldn't thank them enough. Living in Hebron means dealing with hundreds of different experiences and seeing a completely different world than of your own, especially if you are coming from Europe or North America, which makes it that much more interesting and gives you a new perspective.

My name is Lisa and I am on the Teach English Study Arabic Program at the Excellence Centre in Hebron. I am currently live England and am a university student of Arabic and Islamic studies I spent the previous year in Jordan and it was there where I became interested in doing voluntary work in Palestine. This was largely due to meeting and hearing the stories of a large amount of Palestinians in Jordan and coming to the realisation that it would be impossible to understand the history and culture of Jordan without understanding the history and culture of Palestine. I was further inspired to visit Palestine after hearing stories from other students in Jordan who had spoken to highly about both the beauty of the place and the warm hospitality of the people. Finally, I wanted to have the opportunity to consolidate the Arabic I had learned in the previous year and to improve my conversational skills. In Jordan, I undertook some voluntary work in which I greatly enjoyed helping others, meeting a large and diverse group of people and learning about their lives. I therefore decided to combine this love with my desire to visit Palestine by seeking voluntary work in here. Whilst I did not specifically seek voluntary work teaching English, after researching various voluntary programs, I decided that I would like to participate in an educational program as learning another language can give people a valuable gift for life. It was also apparent to me that the Excellence Centre seemed to offer the most structured program for this. On arriving in Palestine, I was immediately struck by the helpfulness of the people. This was because my journey from the airport to Hebron was rather confusing and it was amazing how many people rushed to help me. As it was a Friday in Ramadan and there were no taxis in the area, a minivan driver from Jerusalem took me to Hebron for a discounted fee as I was by myself and did not stop until I had found the Excellence Centre, albeit with the help of various groups of people. What was most remarkable was how a young boy got into the taxi to help with the journey. During this journey, I also was surprised by the geography of Palestine as it was very green and full of trees which was not what I had imagined. I was welcomed very warmly to the Excellence Centre and was kindly given a lot of coffee which was very needed after my journey! Whilst my journey to the Excellence Centre was rather stressful and not as planned, it was also a pleasantly surprisingly safe journey. The driver repeatedly warned me that there was no need to worry and despite what I had heard about Palestine on the news, I in no way felt threatened by the conflict during this journey. It was very touching that on my way to the Centre, my safety appeared to be the priority of so many people who kept on claiming that they were responsible for me. During my time in the Excellence Centre, I helped many people with their studies of the English language. I love to meet and become friends with a variety of different people from different cultures and countries. I traveled the significant historical and religious sites in Palestine in places such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho; places whose name’s I have heard so frequently throughout my childhood. Living in Hebron is a great change from Britain and even Jordan. My host family have been very welcoming to me and have taken great care of me.

As Palestine was the first Arab country that I’ve been to, this was the first time for me to experience daily life in the Muslim culture. I knew a lot of things from theory or Arab friends in Germany, but apart from that a lot of things were new to me. I was surprised about how friendly, interested and open most people around here are towards strangers. It seems almost impossible to enter a Palestinian’s home without constantly being offered food. The hospitality can even become a bit of a struggle if you really don’t want that third serving or another dessert or the fifth cup of coffee. I was a bit concerned about the security situation and about not being able to walk around freely at all or experiencing incidents between Palestinians and soldiers on the streets. But I felt safe and walking around Hebron during daytime turned out to not be a problem at all. There are a lot of cheap taxis as well, in case you don’t want to walk. Knowing the directions in Arabic or having someone write them down for you in Arabic helps a lot to avoid confusion as just a few of the drivers know English well enough. I was surprised that traveling inside Palestine was not an issue at all. Anywhere I’ve went so far, service drivers and people on the streets were very considerate and always ready to help when I didn’t know how to get from A to B and happy to practice their English with me. Also traveling to Israel for the weekend is considerably easy when going through Jerusalem. I didn’t really know what to expect from work at the Excellence Center and how my weeks would look like. I was positively surprised by the relaxed and friendly relationship between the volunteers and the teachers. Sitting together for breakfast or coffee between classes in the kitchen or on the rooftop has become something I am looking forward to every day. A lot of times I help the teachers with English classes in the center or go to high schools in nearby villages where I teach together with another volunteer. Additionally, I did one-on-one conversational classes with older students at the Center. Almost all students are always very excited about the foreigners and during the breaks, they come to say hi, shake your hand or take pictures together. I would not have thought that so many people here are so passionate and motivated about learning English. What also surprised me was that volunteers are able to prepare a lot of the classes on their own for the most part. Even though it is nice to be free in choosing exercises and teaching methods, I think sometimes it would be good for the students if there was more planning together with their teachers for the sake of consistency. During my stay, I came to appreciate the hospitality of the Palestinians and their interest in foreign countries and cultures. At the same time, I noticed that being a foreign woman in a traditional Muslim country can become difficult at times. Whenever being shouted at by men on the street or getting marriage proposals by host family members I realized the cultural differences the most. Before I came here I would not have thought that I would be confronted with behavior like this on an almost daily basis. It would have been helpful for me if I had heard about this beforehand. Being told about the status women here and about how to best behave around men might prevent a lot of misunderstandings and irritations in the long run. I do believe that volunteering with the Excellence Center and living with a host family gives volunteers a unique opportunity to dive into the Palestinian culture and learn spoken Arabic while contributing to the community of Hebron. The two days off during the week are a perfect amount of time to travel around the area and explore Palestine together with other volunteers. The best recommendation that I can give to future volunteers is to take any chance to engage with the locals, try to speak as much Arabic as possible and ask questions if you’re curious about certain things. You might be surprised about their openness and their generosity. At the same time being able to clearly communicate when you don’t feel comfortable with something and to not be afraid of insulting them by not accepting every offer or piece of advice is just as important in order for you to make the best of your time here in Palestine.

During my time in Palestine I participated both in the TESA programme and the intensive Arabic programme. As a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language. I wanted to put my skills to good use, whilst at the same time using the opportunity to experience Palestinian culture and receive tuition in the local dialect. As a native English speaker I found helping to develop the student’s understanding of such useful and global language extremely rewarding. It makes such a difference to their future prospects and careers. I’ve developed close bonds with many of the students, found them eager to learn, and will really miss my time spent teaching in Palestine. I taught both regular and conversational classes at the Excellence Centre, at the local University, at a local girls schools and in a village just outside of Hebron. Overall I loved my time in Palestine and at the Excellence Center in Hebron

I am Sandy and am currently studying International human rights in Germany. I took part in the volunteering program which included 20 hours of Arabic lessons and I taught English to all levels within the center. I never felt threatened in Palestine, I do think that as a woman though you are put at risk a bit more. I think that the Excellence Center’s guide on how women should dress or are viewed in Palestinian society should be addressed more for volunteers. Although I am educated and understand what can be acceptable or unacceptable, even teaching some classes was difficult because many students do not respect a woman being in a leadership role. In terms of safety concerns related to the occupation – I have never felt in danger. I would recommend to participants to learn Arabic before they come, as sometimes you are stuck in situations where you need an Arabic and English speaker to translate. It can be difficult to integrate into society if you don’t speak Arabic. However I didn’t speak Arabic before I came and I found plenty of people could help me and it forced me to try and learn Arabic even more. My best memories in Palestine tend to be related to food. I also enjoyed teaching my English classes in the center, the Palestinian students are keen and are passionate about learning. I also have the best memories with my host family, they made my stay in Al-Khalil truly fantastic. I learnt many new Arabic songs, and I think I have tried every Palestinian dish now. I learnt how to dance at weddings and parties.

I arrived in Palestine as part of the TESA program with the Excellence Center in Hebron to teach English and learn Arabic. My goal was to contribute towards the education of Palestinian youth to help empower them so that they may become active contributors to their society. I strongly believe in education as the most powerful tool that one can wield, and with a strong education the sky is the limit. This is why I chose to participate in this program. Due to my previous experience in Arabic, the Excellence Center placed me in a neighboring town called Dura, where I worked with a partner non-profit called “Multaqa Sawaid” to teach three levels of English conversation skills to individuals of all ages. I became immersed in Palestinian society and it allowed me to gain a direct exposure to the life, culture, and political climate here. In addition, living in Palestine for two months gave me the opportunity to explore the country on my free time to enhance my own understanding of the complexities that govern this beautiful land. On my free time, I had the opportunity to visit the Old City of Hebron, where I was exposed to a combination of politics, history, religion, and culture that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. As someone who strongly believes in freedom and self-determination for the Palestinian people, seeing the climate firsthand was incredibly vital for me as an ally. I also visited the Old City of Jerusalem, where I was able to pray in the Aqsa mosque and traverse through centuries of history. Bethlehem was also another lovely city that I visited, filled with elaborate architecture and complimented by a calm, tranquil, environment. Teaching in Palestine means so much to me. The untapped potential that all of the students here possess is powerful, and if I can help contribute towards triggering that potential, then I will have been forever grateful. At first I was anxious and nervous coming here, thinking that I would not do so well, but the students proved to be excellent learners (and teachers!) which made it all an incredibly smooth experience. If I had the opportunity to do this project again I would do so in a heartbeat. I have fulfilled what I came here to do and I have optimistic hopes about the future of Palestine and its people. The youth are motivated, passionate, and determined to shape their own future. They refuse to allow any obstacles to come in their way, whether it is the occupation or lack of resources. They have shown, time and time again, that they will succeed. As a foreigner I was not only humbled but amazed at their diligence. There were many occasions where I thought I was the student and they were the teachers. My relationship with them developed into something more than just a student-teacher relationship, but a meaningful bond that allowed us both to gain from each other. The students I taught do not know this, but they have taught me much more than I have taught them. Palestine will be proud of them one day. Many people have the wrong conception about Palestine and the Palestinian people. Never in my life have I ever been immersed in a culture so generous, compassionate, and caring to foreigners. I recall several incidents where I would tell a man that I liked his shirt, and immediately he would take it off and offer it to me. I have never witnessed such unparalleled generosity anywhere else. The Palestinian people seek to live in a free, equal, and just society like everyone else. They have their own struggles and their own stories, many of which are similar to our own but many which are also very unique to them. I truly believe that if one is sincere about learning about Palestinian life, that they should visit this land with an open mind and see how it is for themselves. My experience in Palestine has been profound and I will miss it dearly. I have made family here, and it is always hard to say goodbye to family, though I believe that this is not goodbye. This is just the beginning. We will pick up as soon as I return one day. As they say in Palestine, “Next year in Jerusalem, inshallah!”

I stayed with two different host families during my time in Hebron. The first family was located about a 40 minute walk away from the center, and they were extremely kind. They were interested to learn about me and to introduce me to Palestinian daily life. At first, it was difficult to get used to the level of hospitality that Palestinian host families demonstrate. As an American, I'm accustomed to a "help yourself" hosting style. But here, my host family insisted on doing almost everything for me. They cooked large meals for me, mended my torn clothes, and rushed to bring me anything I needed. This kind of accommodation made me uncomfortable, but after some time, I was able to act like any other member of the family. My second host family was only a 15 minute walk from the center. They were very used to hosting internationals and were much more willing to let me take the time I needed alone. While I felt much more comfortable with this style of living, I'm very glad I was able to experience both families. I learned more about Palestinian culture living with my host families than I did from anything else. As part of the program, the Excellence Center organized many trips across the West Bank for the volunteers. One of my favorites was the first trip I participated in, which was to the town of Susiya. Due to the Israeli settlements in Susiya, which are illegal under both international and Israeli law, the city currently has international attention. While there, we stayed with a local family who provided us with dinner and a place to sleep for the night. We also met with the representative of Susiya and he explained to us the political situation there. These trips, whether organized by the center or thrown together by some of the volunteers, were the bonding experiences that made the Excellent Center feel like a big family. I'll leave here feeling like I have a second home, far far away. I think as a woman, my experience was inherently different from that of the male volunteers. Hebron is a conservative city, and while it's the largest city in Palestine, the presence of internationals is relatively sparse. This means that as a foreign woman in Palestine, my presence is noticed. While for the overwhelming majority of my time in Hebron I felt secure, there were instances where I worried for my safety. In the end, I just needed to learn the rules and adapt to the way of life in Hebron and I was able to keep myself from ever entering any dangerous situations. Of course, with increasing tensions between Palestinians and Israelis (especially Israeli settlers), dangerous situations may become a little less predictable. But it's important to remember that the circumstances will be much more dangerous for the Palestinians living here than the internationals visiting. Living in Hebron, I feel that I've gained a much more dynamic and nuanced understanding of the occupation and its political, cultural and daily consequences. Through my conversations with my host family, my discussions with my students and my observations of the H2 territories, I've learned so much more than I could have through my studies. I arrived here with no idea what to expect, but I've learned that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view. I'm sad to leave, but I feel now like the circle is complete and I know I'll return to the U.S. with a much deeper understanding of Palestinian life and I'm so grateful for the experiences and the friends that I've made.

My name is Matthew and I'm from the UK, where I study a bachelors degree in Arabic. I participated in the Teach English Learn Arabic program. I wanted to improve my Arabic, and also try teaching and this sounded like a great opportunity I have many good memories from Hebron. Sitting at the Center talking and laughing with Marwa. Walking my route to the center every morning, saying hello to my chicken butcher friend on the way, saying hello to my hairdresser friend, saying hello to my fruit seller friend. Again and again I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and kindness of the people. I once talked with a guy for 5-10 minutes on the street, a week later he calls me up and gives me 5 kilos of grapes. Who does that?! Only in Palestine... I heard about dabke a traditional dance which I also saw, but didn't learn. I learned some Palestinian songs, and learned more about the Palestinian mindset, how to be kind and generous. I learned about Palestinian food also. Overall I have been very happy being here. I think my Arabic has improved a lot, and I have learned a lot about culture, politics and religion. I have also met some amazing people and gotten some new friends for life. It has been a great experience.

My experience in Palestine has been just awesome. The guys at the Excellence Center are ready to welcome you warmly and make you feel part of their own family. Food is awesome and Palestine is an Amazing country to visit and to live in. No particular issues about safety and security, the city of Hebron is completely safe and secure, just like any other city. I strongly encourage everyone to be part of this experience, it will make you new and better people.

Two days after graduating from College I was on my way to Palestine. For the first time I left the comfort of my home in the U.S. and traveled to the Middle East. Without a doubt, the Israeli military occupation of Palestine was of great concern for my parents and friends. In his attempt to dissuade me from coming, a friend warned me about shared taxis because they "are usually bombed." Although this was said with the best intentions, it just illustrated the ignorance some people have in the U.S. regarding Palestine. For this reason, I have been very active on certain social media sites where through pictures and videos I show the natural landscapes and everyday life in the West Bank. My host family was very accommodating and have welcomed me with open arms. My host uncles and aunts have tried to make feel at home as much as possible. In solidarity with my host family and friends, I also fasted during Ramadan. While at first I found it hard, the fact that everyone was fasting made it easier. In addition, iftar was worth waiting for because of maqluba or mansif along with the sweets and other delicious dessert. I am happy that I was able to find a hospitable organization like the Excellence Center for my experience in Palestine would not have been the same without them. My only suggestion for the Excellence Center is to improve their planning of volunteer's daily activities and inform them in advance about their daily tasks.

When I arrived in Hebron two months ago I did not know what to expect. The city is an incredibly well-kept secret with very little information available on line or in books; beyond the often negative news stories which too often define the image of Hebron in peoples' minds. My time in Palestine has been incredible, due mainly to the warmth and generosity of the Palestinian people. Throughout my time in the West Bank, I have never felt worried about my safety as there have always been people who are more than willing to help. Any conversation in a taxi, bus, café, or shop more often than not results in an invitation for tea, coffee or even lunch. I wanted to come to Palestine to get a real insight into what it means to live in the Occupied Territories. Throughout my last year of university I have read a lot of material from both sides of the conflict but felt that I still was unable to fully understand what and why the conflict in Palestine continues to this day and how it affects the daily lives of the people who suffer from its impacts. It was only when I began to experience just a few of the daily inconveniences endured everyday by the majority of the residents of Hebron that I felt I was beginning to understand the type of life many people here lead. These experiences included being stopped and searched at random by the IDF; having the bus I was on stopped on the side of the road, in the mid-day heat with no air-conditioning while the IDF slowly checked everyone's ID cards. Moreover speaking to locals, young and old who have lived through an incredible amount of violence and instability has been one of the most eye-opening and grounding aspects of my time in Hebron and something I will never forget. My time spent at the Excellence Centre has allowed me to explore Hebron, the surrounding villages and the wider West Bank in an safe and comfortable way. I immediately felt at home in the Centre, and by living with a local family in Hebron it quickly became as familiar as London is to me. The trust placed in me by the Excellence Centre provided me with the freedom to explore and expand my own abilities and confidence in teaching English and developing professional and respectful relationships with the students here. My time here has taught me to look beyond the superficial images I create within my own mind; instead I have learnt to build an image of a country based on the people, their actions, words, dreams and experiences that I hear for myself and to not rely on the words or stories used by other people. I have discovered the difference of getting to know the soul of the country and not just its geography or architecture. This is what has made my experience here so enriching, enjoyable and a part of my life I will never forget.