Spring Study Abroad Programs in Palestine

I participated in the Online Media in Palestine crash course with Miss Heyam, and it was a very informative and eye opening experience. One of the most important things I learned is that Palestinian media operates under very complex conditions, where journalists often face restrictions on movement and access to certain areas while trying to report the news. Miss Heyam was an excellent instructor who explained these challenges clearly and shared many real examples from her experience working in Palestinian media. Her insights helped me understand how journalists continue to document stories and events despite these difficulties. The course was interactive, and I appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from someone working in the field. I highly recommend it :)

I joined the Online Crash Course on Human Rights, and it was a very insightful experience. The course included three online sessions led by Ziad, a Palestinian lawyer based in Hebron. What made the course especially valuable is that Ziad works on the ground and deals directly with human rights cases. During the sessions, he explained the legal situation and the reality of human rights violations that Palestinians face in the area. One topic that really stood out to me was when he explained the situation in Masafer Yatta, where many Palestinian communities are facing displacement and legal challenges. Ziad shared detailed explanations about the legal processes, the challenges people face in the courts, and the broader human rights implications. Hearing about these issues directly from a lawyer who is actively working with affected communities made the sessions very powerful and real. The course was interactive, and I had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss different topics related to international law and human rights. It helped me better understand the complex reality on the ground. I highly recommend this online course to anyone interested in human rights, international law, or learning more about the situation in Palestine from someone who is directly involved in the field.

My name is Olivia. I’m a nursing student from California. I came to Palestine to participate in the intensive Arabic language program. I studied in Hebron 5 days a week for 3 weeks. I came to Palestine knowing little more than the Arabic alphabet but now I’m leaving with a solid foundation in many aspects of the language. I’ve built up tons of vocabulary and developed enough of an understanding of Arabic grammar to read and write simple paragraphs, as well as have short conversations with Palestinians. My teachers Ibrahim and Marwa were wonderful! They incorporated many different methods of teaching into their practice so that every day was a little different and always stayed engaging. They were patient as I stumbled through learning new and unfamiliar sounds, endlessly funny yet always respectful, and very open-minded and receptive to my questions. The rest of the staff at the Center are really encouraging with the Arabic students as well. People were always greeting me in Arabic and willing to chat when I wanted practice speaking. Three weeks is not a lot of time to learn any language, and Arabic is a very rich language, so I plan to return to Palestine next year to continue my studies. When I do so, I will definitely be returning to the Excellence Center. While I was here I also participated in a few activities with other students and staff from the Center. We received a tour of the Municipality of Hebron and got the opportunity to ask questions about the City. We also went to see the village of Susya to learn about the way of life and the people there. Their history and struggle was heartbreaking but incredibly important for me to see. As a nursing student, I came with an interest in learning about the Medical system in Palestine, so I also got the opportunity to shadow a nurse at a Women’s clinic in Hebron for a day. Even despite the language barrier I learned a ton in that day and was actually put to work helping to chart and take patient’s weights and heights. I also got the chance to meet the families of many people who work at the Center. The staff and teachers invited us all out for dinner, arguila, and walks through the Old City frequently during my stay. Every meal was shared with warm people, hot tea, and endless laughter. I also learned how to cook a few Palestinian dishes with my host Marwa and her family. I stayed in Marwa’s home for 3 weeks with another student from the program. Marwa was so accommodating and made me feel at home with her family. We cooked together, shopped together, and she helped me with my studies in the evenings. Some of my favorite moments in Palestine were spent laughing with her in her home. She has a great sense of humor, and she’s sharp, witty, and sassy! My notebook is full of little quips and phrases that I learned from Marwa which got me joking around and teasing with the locals quickly. In addition to Hebron, I also traveled to Ramallah and Bethlehem on my weekends. Traveling between cities was not too difficult for me and I never felt threatened or unsafe. The presence of the IDF throughout Palestine is an undeniable reality, but traveling as a foreigner and carrying an American passport, many of the daily obstacles that Palestinians endure were not applicable to me. As I navigated through the cities, the biggest threat I felt was potentially getting rained on. Back home I live in San Francisco, and I can say with confidence that walking the streets of Hebron at night, especially H2, or Bethlehem, or Ramallah actually felt safer than walking alone at night in my home city. Overall, my experience in Palestine was beyond anything I could have expected or hoped for. I have learned so much in my short stay here, and I have made life-long friends at the Center who I plan to come back and visit as soon as possible

I am a student from Germany that participated in the Study Arabic Program at the Excellence Center for one month. I study Middle Eastern Studies at university back home and Arabic is an integral part of my studies. The focus was set on Standard Arabic however, and we rarely got to practice what we learned. The two main reasons for me to come to Hebron was to start learning the Palestinian Dialect and to get a full cultural immersion before I go to Bethlehem to do an internship at an NGO and continue my studies at the University Bethlehem. As far as my Arabic goes, I have definitely noticed improvement. Of course, one month is not enough to really hold a longer conversation, but I am noticing the benefits of three hours of Arabic five days a week. My Arabic lessons with Du’a were one of the most enjoyable part of my stay. She is a lovely person and a great teacher, and I am very thankful to the effort she made with me. In general, all the teachers and staff at the Center are really friendly and laid back. It makes for a great atmosphere. I met many people through the Center, international volunteers and local students alike. The Center organises a few trips to other cities which you can choose to go on or not. In my case I went to Jerusalem and Jafa in a day, to the Dead Sea on another, and to Bethlehem. You will pay extra for these trips. There are also some smaller visits, such as the one to the Kufiyeh and glass factory, that are organised by the Center.

My time at the Excellence Center in Hebron has been great. I can only speak English and learning languages is not my strong point. Yet, I received amazing support from the center in my language training and I was quickly able to speak and understand some Arabic. The teachers at the center are so friendly and welcoming. If you have a problem or need to some advice on traveling around the city, they will be happy to help. Breakfast is always a fun time. Lots of tea, coffee and great chats with fellow language learners and volunteers. I stayed with a wonderful host family during my time in Hebron. I became part of the family, attending weddings, birthday parties and experiencing everyday life here in Palestine. This allowed me to really understand the Palestinian culture and it really was a once in a lifetime experience. I will miss them a lot when I leave! With the Excellence Center I visited the Jericho and the Dead Sea, Fawwar Refugee Camp, Shuhada Street and Hebrons famous Glass and Ceramic Factory, as well as the Kafiya Factory. All of these trips were well organized and a lot of fun. I really feel like I have experienced every aspect of everyday life in Hebron. For a foreigner, Hebron is extremely safe in terms of the conflict. The Center is located in H1 of Hebron, which means that it is governed by the Palestinian Authority. H2 is where the old city is located and, although it is under Israeli jurisdiction with many Israeli soldiers, for a foreigner it is perfectly safe. It is not unusual to see tourists visiting the old city and the Ibrahimi Mosque. At night for women, it is best to walk with a friend but this is usually the case with most cities! Overall, my time at the Excellence Center has been fantastic.

The Excellence Center in Palestine responded to this reviewOctober 21, 2016

Dear Sara, <br/><br/>We are very glad to hear that you benefited from the Arabic course at the Excellence Center. Thank ou for leaving a review. We wish you all the best in learning Arabic. We hope also to have you in Palestine in the near future <br/><br/>Greetings from Palestine <br/>Excellence Center's staff