Women Volunteering in Palestine

If you are considering traveling to Palestine I can not recommend signing up with the Excellence Center enough. Being from Ireland and seeing many similarities between Irish history and current events in Palestine had been thinking about ways to travel and engage with people from Palestine for some time. While I had researched many different ways and different programs once I contacted the Excellence Center I felt very much at ease. Before confirming any travel plans I had a long Zoom call with Rafat who put many of my concerns to rest with advice on traveling to Palestine, the programs they offered, and the accommodation I would have for the duration of my program. I signed up for Media and Journalism as it is an area that I hope to expand on in the future. During my 10 days in Hebron, I was introduced to different journalists, was taken to refugee camps, given walking tours of the Old City, and got to visit different Mosques in the city. I'm embarrassed to say that as an Irish person, I've been trying to relearn the Irish language on Duolingo for the past year with very little success but after just four Arabic lessons while at the center I have already learned the basics of this beautiful language. Fridays and Saturdays are “days off” in Palestine so it gave me a chance to also travel to other cities such as Ramallah and Neblus with other volunteers at the center giving us an insight into different areas and also how the occupation makes traveling around so difficult for no reason other than to be an inconvenience and intimidation for the people of Palestine. The biggest takeaway I leave Palestine with is just how amazing the people of not just the center but of all Palestinians I was lucky enough to meet while there. The other volunteers and the staff at the center gave me a sense of family more than just a school/program. We were invited into people's homes for dinners, and introduced to their families, and seeing just how positive these people remain despite living under occupation was something that will stay with me for life. Thank you to Osama, Jomanna, and all the staff and volunteers for making this an experience that I will never forget. Read Less What is your advice to future travelers on this program? I can understand why you would be nervous to travel to Palestine but you will not regret com

I’m Emma from Scotland and I chose a one-week short-term course with the refugee program. It was all very last minute with me, less than a week before actually coming to the Centre, there are a few other Centres I had contacted, but I found this one to be the most responsive. I did a few Arabic lessons which were great as I’ve been to many Arabic-speaking countries before, but I wish I had longer to learn more as the experience was positive and the first time learning a new language in many years! I liked that we had something different activity-wise every day, whether it be getting a tour of the old city, going to the glass / ceramic factory or the Keffyiah factory among other things, as well as what was most important for me, was to visit the refugee camp, which was a truly humbling heartwarming and heartbreaking experience.. we basically went everywhere tourist wise that there is in Hebron and always got a good explanation from Osama. The staff was amazing and it all seemed like we were all just one big family all in it together, we would cook dinner together some evenings and breakfast was always at 10 am with the staff and the other volunteers. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and everyone is very easygoing time-wise, it’s not a strict schedule and everyone is extremely flexible. The evenings were spent with other volunteers where we would head out for some tea and shisha and play cards or just chat and chill. I chose to stay with a host family which was really wonderful to just see how people live and go about day-to-day life here. I had only been in Jerusalem for a few days before I came here, so still have a lot to explore and hope to come back here again as it’s one of my more memorable travel experiences, especially with the warmth and kindness and if course hospitality of the Palestinian people. It certainly opened my eyes to the struggles they go through now and have been going through for many years. I taught conversational English to a young guy who just wanted to practice his English before applying for his USA visa to be a camp counselor, I have no teaching experience, but it really didn’t matter as he just wanted to talk and have me correct him on any mistakes. I really enjoyed that part, being able to help someone like this. I came in February and the weather was very cold which I didn’t really expect, so bring warm clothes if coming in winter! I just loved everything from the food, the people, just the whole vibe of the place. Everyone would say hi just walking down the street. I went out walking around alone a lot of the time and never once felt unsafe. I feel very passionate about Palestine and its people and hope to return again soon! I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to get into the culture and have a better understanding of what’s going on and how people actually live here. A time in my life I will never forget! Thanks to everyone who made this all possible and hope to be back soon!

My name is Dylan, and I am from the United States. I graduated the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors in Middle Eastern studies, and a minor in Political Science. I participated in the volunteer sports, and teaching English program at the Excellence Center. At the Excellence Center I participated in a wide array of activities including: Arabic classes, field trips, and English instruction for local youth. The Arabic classes I participated in were colloquial Levantine Arabic. My teacher, Doha, was very informative, and she moved the class at a good pace. This allowed us to make the most out of each session. All the teachers & staff at the center are incredibly welcoming and ensure you're comfortable. In addition, fellow participants are like minded and friendly, which creates a great environment to be apart of. As for field trips, the first one I went on was a walking town of Old Hebronted by Osama. This was a great way to learn the history of the city, and to get in touch with my surroundings. The second trip, we took a shuttle to two different Bedouin Villages to say it was eye opening is an understatement. The power of hearing the people first-hand is an unforgettable experience. My third trip was through the H2 side of Hebron where we met with a local woman who has suffered tragically from the occupation, and later in the day we spoke with a humanitarian organization to hear what actions they are taking to help the people of Hebron. Living in Hebron has been a wonderful experience. Out of everywhere I have traveled the people here are by far the most welcoming. They will ask you in for tea or coffee after only speaking with you for five minutes on the street. Safety has never been a concern here. All the people of Hebron do their best to assist you if you're looking lost, and I have never been taken advantage of. My most memorable experience while living in Hebron was walking down in Old Hebron with a soccer ball and playing with all the kids as I made my way down the street. We may not have been able to conversate past simple greetings, but the enjoyment we shared through the sport was heart-warming. I’ve certainly enjoyed my time here at the Excellence Center. The amount I’ve learned not only in Arabic, but about life in Palestine is vast in the short two weeks I’ve been here. I hope more people can experience life in Hebron, and hear the Palestinian’s people’s stories.

My Name is Dayton. I have a Bachelors in Economics and I participated in the Media and Journalism internship at the Excellence Center in Palestine. During my time at the Excellence center I toured the city of Hebron. I was able to see many important place in the city as well as meet many members of media, the chamber of Commerce, the Municipal government, Law and activists. I also hade the opportunity to volunteer in English langue classes held at the center for Palestinian youth and take Arabic classes myself. My Arabic classes were rigorous, engaging and a lot of fun! My listening and reading comprehension greatly improved during my time at the center. I also developed the rudiments of conversation skills that I hope to build upon in the future. The Center is a very warm and inviting environment. I was able to meet volunteers from around the world as well as well as many Palestinians from the community of Hebron. People were full of advice about how to make the most of my internship and how best to navigate the West Bank and Hebron. During my stay, I participated in every site visit that was made available to me. I visited the Ibrahim Mosque, a Russian Orthodox Church, a Kafiyeh Factory, a School for the Blind, A radio station, a TV station, the Old City and to H2. I was also able to visit other cities in the West Bank such as Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho and Nablus. Living in Hebron was a very pleasant experience. The People are very curious, friendly and generous. People off the street would invite my to have dinner with them or just to strike up a conversation. I never worried about feeling unsafe. If ever crossed the street it was because I didn't want to accept a gift of coffee or some sweets! I most enjoyed and respected the resilient spirit of the Palestinian people and that despite the daily reality of the Occupation; very person that I met was positive about their future. My Favorite experience in the West Bank was all of it! I was able to learn so much not just about Arabic or Palestinian history but about world history. MY time in the West Bank and in Hebron has left a lasting impression that will affect where I travel and how I live for some time. I would recommend the Excellence center to anyone that wanted to learn more or who wanted an exciting experience.

The hospitality I received from the Center and also all the people I have interacted with in Palestine has been so amazing. The warmth that I have received from Palestinians is something I know I will never get anywhere else and I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Center have given me. The teachers here are very willing and helpful, which makes learning here very comfortable. The safety of the people here in Hebron is nothing like that shown in the media. Walking in the streets here are really safe and there wasn't a time it feels risky or dangerous. More likely due to the respect of the people and the warmth from the people everywhere.

I have loved my time at the Excellence Center and would definitely recommend this experience to anybody wanting to visit, embrace, celebrate and understand Palestine on a deeper level. You have the opportunity to build so many relationships – with the teenagers at the center you work with during workshops or classes (depending on your programme), the other volunteers at the Center, the lovely staff here, and then the many people you meet during trips throughout your days when not working. You get to meet Palestinians living at the nearby Al Fawwar Refugee Camp nearby, near the surrounding settlements, in Hebron's Old City itself – and giving them all a chance to tell their story and their reality is so important to understand as a whole the situation here in Hebron and more widely – so we can understand what we are best placed to do to help moving forward. It is also easy to visit parts of Palestine further away such as Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jerusalem – which we took advantage of. The center helps direct you and guide you for such trips. I finished a BA in English Literature and Theatre before completing a Masters in Acting at the Guildford School of Acting. Due to my background, when I volunteered at the Center it was part of the arts programme here. Over 2 weeks a friend and I led theatre workshops with students aged 15-18. Over the sessions the girls developed songs, dances, images they created with their bodies, and their own speeches, using their own words. We created a safe space where they were able to express themselves creatively, with and without words, and over time build confidence in their own forms of communication. In the last session they performed the work we had created together and everyone as moved by the precision of their performance and the articulation of their own voices – so beautiful, eloquent and honest. Over the sessions they understood the importance of "play" in their lives, and of art. They also began to see the importance of relaxation in the body and working on breath to calm oneself – as many of the girls carried tension in their shoulders from the strains of everyday life. The first session proved difficult as theatre was such a new world for the girls – but by the end those who continued with us said they will try to continue this work in their futures, they loved the classes, and they now understand the importance of what we did as a group here. It was a moving, rewarding and empowering experience and I would certainly encourage anyone to volunteer here, for a sustained period of time, with the students so you can build strong bonds. Maria and I certainly intend to stay in touch with our students and hope we can return again. Between our classes and many interesting trips we had the chance to learn Arabic at the center. I came with the most basic phrases and no knowledge of the alphabet at all. No matter what your level – you are taught how to introduce yourself, answer basic questions, learn the first few numbers – and build from there. The center supports the level you are at and you learn accordingly. It was a brilliant experience to have the chance to start learning Arabic and I intend to continue lessons when back in London where I am based currently. I think it's important to say that you feel very safe in Hebron. The center and volunteers are warm and accommodating at all times – you are supported. Some of what you see is heartbreaking, and the first time you are faced with Israeli soldiers holding large guns is jarring – but it is so important to see this reality in my opinion, to witness with your own eyes the situation here. We stayed with a host family – the Murad family. They live about a 20 minute walk from the Center. They are a warm, sweet family who welcomed us with open arms. Maria and I had two single beds in our own room, and shared a bathroom, kitchen and living room with one other volunteer. A few evenings we spent time with our host parents and their children – drinking the classic Palestinian nana tea, or eating delicious grilled food together as a large group. We were so glad we chose to do this rather than staying at an Airbnb or hotel – it was an authentic, personal, Palestinian experience with warm-hearted locals who have welcomed us back. There were so many things we loved about our trip and it was a whirlwind of sights, experiences, food, music, culture – and so many lovely people. Overall we loved our time at the Center, we intend to come back, and we were so glad to have seen Palestine with our own eyes – through the words of locals here. The situation is heartbreaking but it's so important for people to visit, to listen, to help, and to witness what is going on. There's also many happy moments, things to celebrate, embrace and enjoy – the beauty of Palestine and its people. It has been a humbling, empowering, thought-provoking and life-enriching experience.

Hello! My name is Anne, I am 19, and I am from the Netherlands. During my gap year I decided to stay with The Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine, for a month. The programme I participated in was the Human Rights Programme and I helped out with English Club. I stayed here in April and the beginning of May. During my time in Hebron there were about 10 other volunteers and internationals, and I got to experience the second half of Ramadan and Eid. My hostfamily was super welcoming and warm. I arrived with 0 arabic, and the family barely spoke English. Nonetheless, my host mom put ‘we are one family now’ in google translate when I arrived, which made me feel at home from the start. I found it to be special to have Iftar with my family and to be brought along to family visits during Eid. Having community breakfast with other volunteers and staff at the center was always a nice way to start the day. After that I would have Arabic class, go on excursions to special sites or people, or have English club. Most days the schedule was quite chill, I’d often spend my late afternoons in one of the local cafes with my friends to study Arabic together and have a nice hangout. During the weekends, which were Fridays and Saturdays, I definitely recommend visiting other cities in Palestine. There are so many historical sites to see, like 8th century mosaic floors of a historical palace in Jericho or the nativity church in Bethlehem. Seeing other places has shown me the rich culture and different atmospheres across the West bank. While visiting Banksy or even just driving on the roads and seeing the settlements teaches you the reality of occupation. One thing that, from my experience, the different places in Palestine all have in common is the warmth and kindness of the people. Before coming here, most of my friends and family were worried about my safety and and asked me why I had to go to Palestine, of all places. However, from arrival onwards everyone has been so nice, and I have not had a moment when I felt unsafe. Everywhere you go people will greet you, say ‘welcome to Palestine!’ and help you when needed. I think I will experience a bit of a culture shock when I am back home, as Dutch people in general are much more cold, and there won’t be coffee handed out in the supermarket. My overall experience with the Excellence Center has been excellent. The staff and Arabic teachers are kind and flexible. Hebron is a big city with lots of shops and stores and market places. I got to try all kinds of new food, my personal favorite is knafeh. I hope to be able to come back to Palestine soon in the future!

Hello everyone, I’m Adam from the UK and I have had the absolute pleasure of volunteering at the excellence centre for the past three weeks. During this time I have been able to tick many boxes off my list. Not only have I been able to visit Palestine, I have been able to engage with the community and be truly immersed in the culture. The daily struggle of the Palestinian people is one I hold dear to my heart having grown up watching the situation, so to have the opportunity to volunteer here has been amazing. During my three weeks I have visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, refugee camps and also the Bediun areas where we got to see and talk to people who had built caves underground to live because the IDF were destroying whatever structures they made above ground. It was very important for me to not just come to Palestine as a tourist but to volunteer and help the community any way I could. At the excellence centre I was able to participate in English classes, which allowed me to interact with Palestinian youths, to laugh and organize games as well as other fun lesson activities. This was an extremely rewarding activity and as this was my first time teaching… anything. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect or even do. The other volunteers here and the staff were so supportive and I managed to pick it up and roll with it. I also did the Arabic study option, as a beginner in Arabic the classes were very informative and gave me enough to have a conversation which is an added bonus. The excellence centre is an extremely welcoming place, where everyone is more than happy to help. I guess this just reflects the overall Palestinian culture and the vibe I got in the west bank. From the moment I arrived by bus late at night I had already been driven to the centre by a lovely family and brought up stairs by another family to have coffee and cake whilst waiting for staff to come back. This was my first glimpse into what I could expect in Palestine and over the last 3 weeks, moments like this where I have been shown extreme generosity are very common, actually. My experience here has been filled with special moments due to coming during Ramadan. The feeling of sitting around at a table with new friends whilst waiting for the aathan to start is a something I won’t forget. Coming during this time period also meant we got the chance to be invited to local people’s houses and experience a true Palestinian iftar which, if I’m being honest with you guys. The food itself is enough to make me want to come back. The falafel and hummus will forever haunt my dreams and the rice and chicken dishes are second to none. But back to a more serious note, my time here living in the West bank has been an experience full of firsts and hopefully not the lasts. Until next time.

My time at the Excellence Center has been an experience I will never forget. From beginning to end, the people of Palestine have been the most genuine and hospitable. My host family, students, volunteers, even the local merchants welcomed me with open arms into their culture and daily life. For the short time that I was here, I participated in English Club, took Arabic class, volunteered at refugee camp Fawwar, and got to explore the city of Hebron. English club was my favorite activity I participated in. Not only did I get to witness ten- to sixteen-year-old children become more confident in their English-speaking abilities, but I got to build authentic connections with the students. The Excellence Center expresses that it “brings people together,” and that is exactly what happened this week. I am leaving with a lifetime of friendships and memories. Thank you to everyone who made this week what it was. The Excellence Center is a magical place, and I will be back inshallah!!

During my week at the Excellence Center, I began learning Arabic, I worked with Palestinian kids in an English club, and got the chance to go to a refugee camp and talk with some students about their experiences. I honestly could not recommend this program enough. The community of volunteers and workers here are fantastic. When working with Rafat and Osama, the leaders of the program while I was there, I always felt as though my best interests were taken into account and they both went out of their way to make my week the best it could be. Also, the other volunteers are some of the nicest people I have met. I immediately felt comfortable around everyone and was able to make friends and build community. Two of the nights I was here, we were able to have iftar at the center and it is one of my many highlights to my week in Hebron. Being able to learn about Palestine more, and doing it by engaging with and talking to Palestianians was so incredible and I could not recommend doing something like this with any other organization. My week here was so memorable and I cannot wait to come back.

I was thoroughly impressed with the Centre's organisation and how well they planned a personalised iternary for me. I was able to see and do a lot of the things I wanted to do for instance, going to the Blind School or visiting the camps. However, Osama also planned a few addditional activities that were extremely enlightening such as seeing a local artist. I didn't know what to expect coming here as it isn't your typical holiday, but nontheless I was blown away by the hospitality of my host. Her family were so warm and welcoming, it almost felt as if I had known them from before. They were extremely accomadating, cooking food, giving us towels and creating a comfortable environment. They tried to get to know me even with their lack of English which was so lovely. The Arabic classes dramatically helped in acclimatising to the culture and enabling even the smallest of conversations to take place. When out and about, a lot of the locals would want to converse creating a greater sense of warmth towards the people. Though you would assume it is extremely unsafe due to a particular portrayl of the country, actually at times I forgot this was the case. The Centre did a brilliant job of making us aware of potential dangers if there were any. When we went to Shahada Street, we were told to take our passports for the security check point and allowed to visit a Palestianian family from this area. The entire experience consisted of tears of happiness and sadness. There were moments of thought provoking discussions that enabled us to gain a better understanding of things from the eyes of the people. A genuine perspective of the reality of the situation. I would highly recommend you make the visit to come here and see first hand how the country is like. It will be far from how you expect it to be and will truly blow you away with it's warmth. It is safe and hosts a great atnosphere. An experience of a lifetime! Things we did: Arabic classes Taught English Visitied Shahada Street Met Nisreen and heard her story under the occupation Visitied Al - Fawar campsite Visited the Blind School Visited a local Artist - Rani Sharbaati Visited a Professor from the University of Hebron Vistied Ibrahim Mosque and Mosque of Younus Visited Jericho/Bethlehem.

I originally signed up for a one-week program in Palestine but extended it to two because of how much I was enjoying the experience. I was initially a bit apprehensive about safety but not only did the Centre always ensure that we were suppported, but the situation in general was much safer than I was expecting. The program includes multiple trips to the Old City, Bedouin and refugee camps, visits to local organizations, and cultural sites. Overall, I would definitelty recommend this program. The staff were always incrediby friendly and eager to learn about where all of the volunteers came from.

I am Amelia, age 31, I spent a week going the Women's Rights programme. Every day was an incredible chance to be immersed in the culture, politics, people, joy, laughter and sadness that the amazing city of Hebron has to offer. The staff were some of kindest, most passionate people I've met, I felt fully supported. I felt completely safe as solo female traveller, the locals couldn't do enough to help you. My hosts became family to me. This is a life changing trip -I can't recommend your visit enough!

Introduction My name is Mami, I am from Japan, currently I undertake a postgraduate study in migration and development. I participated in “Volunteering for Palestinian Refugees” program between 8th January to 21st January 2023. Safety in Hebron Although the situations for Palestinians are complicated, I felt very safe in the city as a foreigner. There was not one moment when I felt in danger. In my opinion, this is the most welcoming place I have ever been as a foreigner, with people saying hi, welcome to you everyday on the street with smiles, and I never experienced any racism nor those pushing to make you buy something / trying to rip you off. 3G network works well in most places, although you need to get a SIM card from here (the one from Tel-Aviv didn’t work in Hebron). Homestay During my 2 weeks, I was at a homestay with a family in Hebron, with another Dutch girl also volunteering for the excellence centre. My host family was absolutely amazing, one of the warmest people in the world with a lovely sense of humour. They have experience hosting over 11 years, to more than 40 people from all around the world. In their apartment, myself and another Dutch girl shared a bedroom separate from the family’s house and provided us with a private shower and toilet for us to share. We were often invited to eat with them and have a chat in the evening around their fireplace, and the living room was always filled with laughter. Spending time with this lovely family, I started to think a lot about what it means to be happy, what we should seek in our life. It was so nice to see many people visiting every day, and relatives having tight knit communities. They also mentioned how children are raised by the whole family and relatives, which is very different from what mothers experience in Japan or in the West. I deeply appreciate all the kindness they have given me through the homestay and thank also the excellence centre to introduce this family to me. Just one tip for travelling – Don’t come on Friday night / Saturday morning. There is no public transportation and private taxis could be very expensive. All other days, you can travel by affordable trains from airport to Jerusalem and then shared taxi from Jerusalem Damascus gate to Hebron.

I previously participated in a trip abroad to represent my country abroad in the field of art and music, and we got third place in singing. I am a girl who loves to travel and help others, especially since I am a doctor. I am used to caring about the health of others. I strive to volunteer in many fields

My name is Alicia, I am 22 years old from the United Kingdom and I came to the excellence center to participate in the healthcare programme for 5 weeks, however I went on to extend it to 7 weeks. During my 7 weeks at the center, I did healthcare specific visits such as visits to hospitals, meeting healthcare professionals, went to a women’s rights clinics which had a healthcare center attached, visited the al fawwar camp where I visited the health center and went to 2 different nursing colleges. Additionally, I did a 3-part nursing workshop with nursing students. I also did other activities which were specific to other programs such as going to the tourism office, going to the human rights defenders office, meeting a lawyer, going to the special educational needs school, the blind school, the art gallery, the palmotion office, went to the H2 area, had a tour of the old city, went to the ceramic factory, the kafiya factory, the Bedouin villages, a children’s center, the women’s kitchen and finally I also had some opportunities to help the teachers at the center in their lessons. Throughout my time here I had weekly Arabic lessons, I didn’t know any Arabic before arriving, but I know I have now progressed with the alphabet and being able to read. I have found all the staff, other volunteers, and students at the center to be incredible. I knew before coming that it was going to be an amazing experience, but nothing could prepare me for how kind and welcoming everyone would be. During my free time I also visited other cities such as Ramallah, Jericho, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Living with my host family has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had, my host mum, host dad and their children are a beautiful and kind family and made me feel welcome and part of their family as soon as I arrived. Their extended family have also been so welcoming and have included me in everything they have done. I am so lucky to have met them all and truly feel like I now have a second family here in Hebron and I am already planning to come back and visit them, any volunteer who has the chance to stay with this family are incredibly blessed. Hebron is a beautiful city, and its people are so kind, and the 7 weeks here has gone incredibly fast. For the majority of the time, I felt safe in Palestine and the staff were always willing to assist with whatever questions or help you need There are so many things I loved about my stay here so it is hard to choose one specific aspect, however, the thing I will cherish the most when I go home will be the people I have met and the hospitality shown, the host family, the teachers, the other foreigners, and everybody else I have met have shown me a kindness I have never been shown before! The most important thing I wanted to mention about the center are the incredible teachers, I think they truly make the centre and without them the experience would not have even been half of what it has been. They are the greatest group of people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting- Amani, Anas, Duha, Ibrahi, Isaac, Khitam, Mahmoud, Mamon, Marwa and Saja are so kind, caring, compassionate and never fail to put a smile on our faces! Getting to know them has been one of the greatest experiences and they are an absolute credit to the centre and anyone who has the oppurtunity to meet them will be very lucky.

My name is Esther Pérez, I am twenty-five years old and I am from Spain. I have studied the Degree in Journalism at the University of Valencia, and later I have done the Master’s Degree in Culture of Peace, Conflicts and Human Rights at the University of Granada. Currently, I have been collaborating for a year as a volunteer in Red Cross organization, as an external communication reference. I have done the Journalism program at the Excellence Center. I arrived at the Excellence Center in Palestine a month ago, on September 15, 2022. I am a journalist for human rights, and in recent years I have been studying in depth the historical and current situation of Palestine, so I wanted to come to see first-hand this situation of colonization. I discovered the excellence center by chance, looking for different centers with which to collaborate on the internet. This center caught my attention because of the different programs they have, as well as the opportunity to learn Arabic, because that could help me to explore new stories around the world. During this month I have visited many sites and had the opportunity to meet workers and human rights activists in Hebron, as well as local Palestinians, in the context of occupation. I attended the Grape Festival, made visits to the ancient city of Hebron and the Ibrahimi Mosque, went to a Bedouin Camp, visited the Hebron Chamber of Industry and Commerce, a tourism agency, the Hebron pension center, different agencies and media, such as the WAFA communication agency and a radio station. I have also visited human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Defenders. In terms of education, I have visited schools: such as a school of art and culture, the Al-Hussein school, and a school of autism and for blind students. All these visits have given me extensive knowledge about the current situation of Palestinians in Hebron, from different perspectives: communication, education, health, politics or the economy. It is a great opportunity to be able to know first-hand how the context of occupation affects the Palestinian people living here in Hebron, due to the numerous checkpoints, Israeli military control and settlers. On the other hand, about the Arabic classes, I have received during this month three hours each week. During this time, I have learned to have a basic conversation as well as introduce myself. Basic knowledge that we need in our day to day: numbers, days of the week, months of the year, adjectives, pronouns, determinants, some verbs and basic words. Now I am able to introduce myself: what my name is, how old I am, where I live and with whom, what I did yesterday or what I will do tomorrow, or what I study. All this knowledge in Arabic language I have been able to put into practice in my day to day, on the one hand, with the staff and other volunteers of the center, and on the other hand, with my host family. Throughout my stay I have felt very safe in Palestine. I arrived with fear and something insecure, because the great number of news that comes through the media in Spain are quite negative, and only talk about violence and conflict. Also quite unsure by the questions on my arrival at Ben Gurion airport. But when I got here, everything went well. And little by little I got to know the lot of positive and life things that the city of Hebron has, as well as the hospitality and kindness of all people. Shops, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, shops, the beauty of the old city... the city of Hebron, despite its complicated circumstances due to the occupation, is full of life and joy. Another of my fears is my English, it is the first time I have had to express and communicate in English. And I was afraid because of my limitations. However, all the staff of the center and the rest of the volunteers have always been very kind to me, and have made me feel very well when I have expressed myself in English. All the staff of the center is always ready to help you, and welcomes you every morning with a big smile. As for the rest of the volunteers, I return to Spain with great friendships. I have been able to learn a lot from them and their perspectives. And we've had great times together. It is very nice to learn from people from different parts of the world. In addition we have made several trips together, we have practically been able to know all of Palestine: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah and Nablus. I think these have been the best times I've ever had here in Palestine. It has been very good to be able to know the different cities of Palestine, and the circumstances they live due the occupation. In this paragraph I would like to talk about my host family, since the first day I have felt at home. And I have had the opportunity to try a lot of Palestinian dishes, I love Palestinian gastronomy! Both the parents and the children have made me feel like one more in the family. In addition, I have shared a room with Rachel another volunteer of the center, and I have been able to enjoy a lot with her. Definitely, I recommend everyone to come to the center to do the communication and journalism program. Palestine needs ethical journalism, and it is a great opportunity to learn about the occupation situation firsthand, and then to be able to communicate and give a voice to the Palestinians globally.

My name is Monika and I am a final year Biomedicine student. I am 28 years old. I come from Poland but I live in London. I also work as a senior healthcare assistant. In my job I provide clinical assistance to healthcare professionals. I decided to participate in the Volunteer in Medicine & Healthcare at the Excellence Centre in Hebron, Palestine. The short time at the Centre was filled with interesting and fun activities. The staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating. They went above and beyond making sure I utilised my time in Palestine. Thanks to them I learned more about the culture, history, everyday struggles of people living here and how the healthcare system operates in Palestine. I visited two hospitals – public and private – and talked to medical and laboratory staff. The centre also organised two meetings with science students during which we could discuss differences between education in UK, Poland, and Palestine. I was impressed by the students knowledge. Together with other volunteers, we went to the Old City and Al Ibrahimi Mosque. We witnessed the difficulty of people living here, who have to go through numerous checkpoints. We talked to so many people from different professionals – from shoe makers, business owners, teachers to healthcare professionals. We also visited Al Fawwar refugee camp where we talked to UN workers. During my short time at the Excellence Centre I learned some very useful Arabic phrases, words and numbers. These have already helped me communicate with locals and the expressions I was taught, will be very useful while talking to patients at work. The staff at the Excellence Centre is professional, kind and always smiling. They have created a wonderful, friendly environment for the volunteers from all over the world. The atmosphere is very welcoming and a discussion is always encouraged. As I only came for a week, I will also visit Bethlehem to see more of Palestine. Living with a Palestinian family has been an incredible experience. This was a great insight into the life of people here, who welcomed me with open arms. We bonded quickly, exchange few stories, cooked for each other and I went to my host mum’s beauty salon to use her service. Talking to people here, who are incredibly kind and friendly has definitely been a highlight of this experience. I felt very safe and comfortable in Palestine. As a single woman I never felt uneasy. Every time I struggled to communicate with locals, a stranger would join and help. People are very hospitable and proud of their culture – I really admire them. This has been one of the best cultural, educational and travel experiences I have ever had. It was a great time with plenty of opportunities to gain insight into Palestine. I highly recommend to everyone to come here and participate in the programme. The mission and hard work of the staff at the Excellence Centre to educate – that is both Palestinians and foreigners – is truly remarkable and amazing. Everyone, from staff, locals to volunteers was smiling and had a positive attitude. Palestine is a great country with amazing people.

My name is Joshua Boyes, I am a doctor in the UK about to start training as a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I chose to come to the Excellence Centre to do the Medical and Healthcare Programme for 3 weeks. For me, this involved visits to various hospitals in the Al-Khalil including a government hospital, a private hospital and a newly built but non-functioning hospital. On these visits I was able to meet with and discuss healthcare in Palestine with doctors and other healthcare professionals. I was surprised to learn that the main barrier to improved healthcare is the allocation of equipment to the hospital. There are plenty of very competent doctors that I met throughout my time and their main complaint was not having the resources to do their job. The other challenge was the sheer volume of patients in a cramped government hospital, while the new hospital struggle to exist at capacity due to the lack of equipment. After learning a bit about the healthcare situation in Palestine, I was then able to provide some lessons to students at the local Hebron University. For me this was the best part of the whole programme. The students came from a wide range of disciplines including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, midwifery, lab science and biology. In these sessions I was able to share with them some of my own clinical experiences and provide some training on communication skills, medical ethics and academic writing. The students were very engaging and asked lots of good questions, I was impressed with their knowledge and enthusiasm. They were incredibly grateful for the information I shared with them. Through this teaching I was also able to learn a lot about them and asked many questions about the healthcare system in Palestine. We discussed life at university, what they think of the doctor-patient relationship in Palestine as well as ethical issues in both the UK and Palestine. My favourite moment was seeing the students debate real ethical cases and present their arguments for and against. Alongside the Medical and Healthcare, I also received Arabic lessons from one the of the brilliant teachers at the session, Saja. The lessons were really fun and interactive, and I learnt lots of useful phrases that I could then use in daily conversations. The overall environment of the centre was equally conducive to speaking Arabic, as there were constant opportunities to speak with others and ask questions. To be honest, there were definitely times when I wish I was studying Arabic at the centre full time rather than teaching medicine. Furthermore, this experience has given me a great boost and inspired me to continue to learn Arabic so that I can hopefully come back and explore the Middle East some more. As for Palestine itself, there is so much that I could say or write. It is difficult to put fully in to words all that I have experienced in Palestine and all the emotions that I have felt whilst here. Whilst initially I was worried about what the situation might be like, I have had no concerns during my time here. In all my interactions with Palestinian people I have felt welcomed and a desire to connect. People have been incredibly kind and generous and approach life with a great joy. This has been true of the Palestinians I have met but also the other volunteers. I cannot speak highly enough of this experience and programme. On a slightly lighter note, the food has also been a definite highlight. Every single dish that I have tried here has been delicious and full of flavour. My particular favourite was eating fresh figs for breakfast, one day I managed to get through about 12! When I applied to the programme at the Excellence Centre, I did so without any particular enthusiasm or excitement. I was simply looking for something interesting to do whilst awaiting to start my new job. However, the time here has far exceeded my expectations. Whilst it hasn’t all been easy and there have definitely been challenges, I have really loved my time at the centre, and I truly hope that I can come back some day.

Hi, I'm Hisham, originally Moroccan but born in Spain. I'm a pharmacy graduate from the University of Barcelona, currently studying a PhD in cancer sciences at the University of Southampton, UK. I joined the Arabic Immersion Intensive programme for the month of August at the Excellence center in Hebron. I must say that after spending a whole month in Palestine, I can feel that my Arabic has greatly improved. I've been taught by two different wonderful teachers who were very attentive and supportive, and taught us not only about the Arabic language but also about the Palestinian culture and heritage which is something that unfortunately we don't know much about. Upon arriving I had my mind set on continuing to study Modern Standard Arabic or Fusha, but after speaking with Marwa and the teachers I realized that even if Fusha is used widely in mainstream media and studies, no one speaks it in the streets. Hence, I changed my mind and started studing the Levantine Dialect, with just a couple weeks of classes in the center I was able to understand the most common words the locals used and communicate with them easily. I've been able to interact with plenty of locals, people in Palestine are extremely friendly, open and welcoming, they're willing to help you out in whatever it is that you need, and this has probably been the thing that has struck me the most. I've been invited over by a taxi driver to have maqloubah at his house, I've been invited by strangers to join them at restaurants, and I've been offered plenty of cups of tea and coffee for free! I've been able to visit Ramallah, Jericho, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, Bethlem, Jerusalem and Aqqah, all beautiul places with plenty of history. The center took us on trips to the old city with a guide which were very insightful and we managed to learn about the daily struggle Palestinians live when having to deal with the occupation. My mom was quite worried when I told her I was going to Palestine, she was scared and didn't want me to go out of fear. Upon arriving in Palestine, I also had some misconceptions but after living in Palestine myself, I can say that it's all lies. I've never felt safer when travelling, when I got lost I asked a guy for indications and he took me in his own car and drove me to the spot I needed to go. My overall experience has been fantastic, from the Palestinian people, to the teachers, and to the other students, I've enjoyed every single moment that I've been here and I can't recommed it enough!! So don't hesitate, and come to the Excellence Center in Hebron!