Location
  • Palestine
Length
4 to 13 weeks
General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Compensation
Unpaid
Timeframe
Academic Year Fall J-Term Maymester Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
Arabic
Weekly Hours
30
Age Min.
18
Age Max
75

Pricing

Starting Price
1250
Price Details
Excellence Center charges a fee of 1250$ per month. The program fees include pre-departure support, accommodation, some meals, full coordination while interning in Palestine, some visits to different sites in the city of Hebron.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Jan 04, 2024
Sep 14, 2024
42 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Internship in Palestine Program provides internationals with the opportunity to experience the Palestinian culture, daily life, human rights, Palestinian refugee situations, Palestinian laws, legal situation in the West Bank, and politics in Hebron, West Bank, while participating in a highly regarded community program with the Excellence Center.

The Center fosters this cultural experience by organizing visits for interns to different institutions (including both Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and governmental organizations), factories, and refugee camps in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine receiving a firsthand experience of daily life. This exciting experience is delivered through a number of internships at the Center. Furthermore, participants in the internship may study either Modern Standard Arabic or Ammiya (spoken Arabic dialects), gain transferable skills, meet Palestinian people, stay with a Palestinian host family, and learn more about the rich Palestinian culture.

Video and Photos

Impact

With all our Arabic courses and volunteer programs, we aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Our programs and courses foster shared learning, for both our community and you. During your Arabic course, you will get to learn so much more than just the language. You will also get to learn a lot about Palestinian culture and customs and the political situation in Palestine. Additionally, you will have many opportunities while outside the classroom to practice your Arabic in a natural and authentic way while navigating your new life in Hebron. Your time with us in Hebron will also provide you with many opportunities of cultural exchange and mutual learning, both with local Palestinians as well as with our other international participants.

Program Highlights

  • Studying Arabic in Palestine (Modern Standard Arabic, MSA) or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
  • Learning more and engaging in Palestinian culture and politics
  • Assisting the cause of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank
  • Leading community activities in the city of Hebron
  • Providing educational support for Palestinian children

Popular Programs

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Palestine and Israel Internship: Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, retiree or just someone interested in the political history, human rights, Palestinian refugees or current situation, the Palestine and Israel in Context Internship program is for you! With the ability to hear the opinions of everyday people and understand, grasp and witness the effects of the conflict first hand, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain insider knowledge beyond the headlines.

Law

The Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship is an ideal program for students of law, social sciences, or human rights, as well as those interested in the Palestinian legal system in the West Bank. Interns can enroll for a period of 1 to 13 weeks year-round. This legal internship program in Palestine aims to provide a full understanding of the legislation applicable to the West Bank and Gaza.

Internship

Internship In The West Bank Program offers international participants the chance to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life, as well as learn about human rights, refugee situations, and politics in Hebron, West Bank. The program involves participating in a highly respected community development initiative run by Volunteer In Palestine.

Human Rights

The Human Rights Volunteer Internship Program in the city of Hebron, Palestine is designed to introduce the subject of Palestinian human rights in an environment that will help you grow both personally and professionally. This human rights volunteer opportunity in the West Bank, Palestine is a great opportunity for those interested in gaining experience in fields such as humanitarian aid, Palestinian refugees, diplomacy, political science, and international law

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Program Reviews

4.77 Rating
based on 132 reviews
  • 5 rating 77.27%
  • 4 rating 22.73%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.65
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 25 - 32 of 132 reviews
Default avatar
Mikita
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

I had the amazing chance to participate on the Human Rights Internship Programme. During this week in Hebron i was able to visit the old town of Hebron, the AL-Ibrahim Mosque and visit a refugee camp. I would say that what i experienced exceeded my expectations. The cuty was very safe and historically rich. Reading on books About Palestine and its history cannot ,match the reality of being here. Also, i had the chance to meet people from all over the world and share valuable experiences with them. I would definitely recommend!!

73 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Mikita,

Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience with us! It's wonderful to hear that your participation in the Human Rights Internship Programme in Hebron exceeded your expectations. Exploring the historic old town of Hebron, visiting the AL-Ibrahim Mosque, and engaging with a refugee camp must have provided valuable insights into the region's rich history and complex realities.

Your point about the unmatched experience of being in Palestine compared to reading about it in books is quite poignant. It's true that firsthand experiences can offer a deeper and more profound understanding.

We're thrilled that you had the opportunity to connect with people from around the world and share meaningful experiences. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated, and we hope your time in Hebron leaves a lasting impact on your perspective.

Mikita, Thank you for being part of the Excellence Center community!

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Oliver
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

Hi, my name is Oliver. I am from Slovakia and I am currently studying Middle Eastern studies. I have been at the Excellence Center Palestine for 4 weeks and I participated in the Human rights intership. This program consists of trips, visits, and presentations about Palestine. Namely visits to local families, schools, organizations, refugee camps and villages. You are able to get a sense of the situation in Palestine and of the daily lives and struggles of its people.
As for the Arabic classes, I chose to learn the levantine dialect. My teacher Duha was incredible, she created a positive environment where learning was fun! I thoroughly enjoyed my Arabic classes in which I gained knowledge of conversational Arabic and phrases used in the daily life.
The staff in the centre is very friendly and welcoming. I met many like-minded people and made a lot of friends among volunteers. We visited many places around Palestine together, like Ramallah, Betlehem and Jaffa.
As for the safety concerns, I personally felt very safe in Hebron. Palestinians are probably the most welcoming and nicest people I've ever met. They are happy to see internationals, and appreciate your interest in their country. They often invited me for a coffee or a dinner and some lucky ones even got invited to a wedding!
In general, my stay in Palestine was very enriching. I've met new people, gained sense of Islamic culture, learned Arabic, and most importantly, I'm leaving as wiser, more experienced person with many great memories.

61 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Oliver,

Thank you for sharing your incredible experience at the Excellence Center Palestine. It's clear that your time there was not only enriching but also deeply meaningful. The Human Rights internship program you participated in sounds like a comprehensive and eye-opening opportunity to learn about the daily lives and struggles of the people in Palestine.

We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with your Arabic classes and that your teacher, Duha, made learning enjoyable. The sense of community among volunteers and the friendships you formed, as well as the memorable trips to various Palestinian cities, added to the richness of your stay.

Your observation about feeling safe in Hebron and the warm hospitality of the Palestinians is heartening. It's experiences like these that often leave a lasting impact on one's perspective and worldview.

Oliver, thank you for choosing the Excellence Center Palestine, and we're glad to have played a part in your personal and educational journey. We wish you all the best in your Middle Eastern studies and hope you continue to carry the wisdom and memories from your time in Palestine
with you.

Greetings from Hebron, Palestine

Default avatar
Serena
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Legal Laws and Practices

The Excellence Center provides a unique opportunity to connect with the intimate city of Hebron. In my time at the Center I was able to make connections with various NGOs and organizations that worked to both provide assitance in Hebron as well as contribute to my professional experience. The other volunteers at the Center make for a close community that provides comfort and peace, and the locals of Hebron are some of the kindest most wonderful people to meet and I consider myself blessed to have known them.

Pros
  • Networking opportunities
  • Wide experiencial exposure
Cons
  • The system of teaching/learnign english at the center is very monetrarily focused
  • Lack of support for navigating occupation once away from the center
58 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Serena,

Thank you for sharing your experience at the Excellence Center! It's fantastic to hear that your time in Hebron allowed you to establish valuable connections with NGOs and organizations while contributing to your professional growth.

The sense of community among volunteers and the warmth of the locals clearly made your stay even more special. We're grateful to have had you with us, and we hope you carry these cherished memories with you.

Serena, thank you for choosing the Excellence Centre! We hope to welcome you back soon!

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Joe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Internship

I had a fantastic experience working in Palestine with the Excellence Centre. The Centre itself gave me the tools I needed to maximise the value of my internship here in the West Bank, while the environment surrounded by a diverse group of peers allowed me the chance to relax and form valuable connections. Working with a diverse group of journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders over the last month has provided an unparalleled insight into life in the West Bank, while living in Hebron has introduced me to more friends than I count.

Thank you so much to the Excellence Centre for my time here - the experience has been invaluable!

Pros
  • Taught me invaluable skills!
  • Excellence teaching and staff!
  • Opportunity to shape you own program!
Cons
  • Work requires you to take the initiative - reach out to people if you want to work with them!
51 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hello Joe,

I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for sharing your fantastic experience at the Excellence Centre in Palestine. It's evident that the Center equipped you with valuable tools for your internship, and the diverse and supportive environment facilitated the formation of meaningful connections.

Your engagement with journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders provided unique insights into life in the West Bank, and your time in Hebron introduced you to numerous friends. Your expression of gratitude to the Excellence Centre underscores the invaluable experience you gained during your stay.

Once again, Joe, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we highly value your thoughts and experiences.

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Maya
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

My time in the Human Rights Internship was very valuable to me, as I feel that I connected with many people that I would not have met otherwise. It allowed me to engage in many activities and with many people from Al-khalil. I enjoyed the arabic classes as well. I was here for 3 weeks, and saw many parts of the city and other cities inside and outside the west bank. The people I met in al-khalil, including my wonderful host family, were extremely kind and welcoming. In terms of safety, I felt safer walking on the street here than I do at home.

45 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi y Maya ,

Thank you for sharing your valuable experience during your Human Rights Internship with the Excellence Center in Palestine. It's heartening to hear that you connected with many people and engaged in diverse activities in Al-khalil. Your enjoyment of the Arabic classes and exploration of the city and surrounding areas reflects a rich and immersive experience.

The kindness and hospitality of the people you met, including your host family, made your stay even more memorable. Your feeling of safety while in Al-khalil is reassuring and speaks to the welcoming and secure environment you encountered during your time there.

Maya, thank you for sharing your positive and heartfelt review. We hope to meet you in Palestine in the future

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Elise
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Internship

My time at the excellence center was very enriching. I learned a lot and formed really valuable connections with the people I met here. I loved my Arabic teacher and she did a really great job of teaching in a way that would most benefit my communication ability during my trip. I’m keeping all of my notes to be able to continue to study Arabic when I return home. Living with a host family was also super beneficial in helping me learn Arabic as I was immersed in the language and was able to hear the things I was taught in class used in a natural setting everyday.
There was a great community within the center and I made connections with other teachers and made lifelong friends with the other volunteers I met here.
There were a number of excellent excursions organized by the center that were enlightening for me and allowed me to meet with leaders on the ground and see how organizations are working to improve life for Palestinians. As a law student it was also very interesting to have multiple meetings with different Palestinian lawyers and have interesting discussions comparing legal proceedings in Palestine and my home country.
The best part of my stay was my wonderful host family, they made me feel right at home and included me in all family activities. The food here was also amazing and I tried so many new dishes that I had never heard of before coming here. It is hard to overstate the hospitalty of Palestinians. Everyone I met was welcoming and happy to share their homes and stories. I had such a wonderful experience and I am already counting down the days until I can return.

Pros
  • Experience living with a host family
  • Delicious food and breakfast included every day
  • A strong community within the center and access to support at all times
51 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Elise,

Thank you for sharing your incredibly enriching experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine. It's evident that your time there was not only educational but also deeply rewarding on a personal and cultural level.

Your appreciation for your Arabic teacher's effective teaching style and her focus on improving your communication skills is wonderful to hear. Holding on to your notes to continue studying Arabic back home is a testament to your dedication to the language.

Living with a host family is often one of the most immersive ways to learn a language, and it's fantastic that this experience greatly contributed to your language acquisition. Hearing the language used in everyday situations is invaluable.

The excursions organized by the Center, where you met with local leaders and gained insights into organizations working to improve life for Palestinians, must have been eye-opening and educational, especially for a law student like yourself. The discussions with Palestinian lawyers on legal proceedings provide a unique perspective and an opportunity to compare legal systems.

It's heartwarming to read about your host family's hospitality, making you feel like a part of their home and including you in their activities. Exploring and enjoying the local cuisine and dishes you had never encountered before adds an extra layer of cultural immersion.

Your eagerness to return and continue this incredible experience is a testament to the lasting impact it had on you.

Elise, thank you for sharing your positive and heartfelt review, and we hope your countdown to your next visit goes by quickly.

Greetings from Hebron, Palestine!

Default avatar
Jaskiran
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Excellence Centre - Palestinian Laws and Legal Internship

My name is Jaskiran and I’m from the UK. I’m a second year law student. My time at the Excellence Centre was extraordinary and I am so grateful to have been able to experience this beautiful country and its kind-hearted, fierce, passionate people. My activities at the Excellence Centre during the work week (Sunday to Thursday) included Arabic lessons from 9am-12pm on most days and then there would be a trip to go on or I would meet with my programme-specific mentor, who was a local Palestinian lawyer. The Centre organises most of your visits and educational trips during the week and then you are free on Fridays and Saturdays to find your own things to do or see. I met with my programme’s mentor the morning after I arrived in Palestine and visited the Independent Commission for Human Rights and received a very informative talk from the Head of the Commission. I then began my Arabic lessons the next day, and my teacher, Ghaida, is the most eloquently spoken and charismatic person. She made our lessons so enjoyable and ensured that conversation and communication in Arabic was the priority. And two weeks later, someone complimented my ability to converse in Arabic - even though I know I have a very long way to go to be fluent - and I thought of my teacher and peers who made this possible. Ghaida inspired in me an excitement and hope that I can take my Arabic studies further, and as a lover of languages and the rich historical, social and emotional understanding that you learn by learning a language, I could not have had a better experience learning Arabic at the Centre. On my programme, I also met with a lawyer for the Sharia courts and found out more about the origins and sources of the modern Palestinian legal system. I also had the privilege of sitting in on Mamon’s Human Rights presentation and his ability to turn a few PowerPoint slides into an academic debate and environment of intellectual creation meant that we not only learned the history of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and how it came to be, as well as the devastating human rights violations that this has inflicted on the Palestinians, but also heard each other’s reasons to be here and what we thought was the solution to such suffering.There is certainly no better way to understand the occupation than by being here, and learning about the law and history from not only highly educated teachers and mentors here at the Centre but also people who have stayed kind-hearted and extraordinarily willing to help and educate at no personal gain for them. But there is also no better way to experience the beautiful culture and people here either. My host family became like my second family here and I have never experienced such warmth and kindness from complete strangers than with my host family. And also with the people here that I didn’t get to know personally - Palestinians are so willing to help you out, feed you and make sure you’re comfortable, and everyone always has kawaha brewing on the stove, ready to serve any guests or friendly strangers they come across. I stayed in a room in my host family’s home, with my friend Elise, and they made us feel such a part of their home that I will remember their love and kindness for the rest of my life. My absolute favourite part of staying here in Hebron was the home-cooked meals and delicious food you will find in every shop and family’s home here. What is the best way to experience Palestinian cuisine you ask? Definitely at someone’s home, eaten together from the same plates. During my time here, I also visited Jerusalem and Bethlehem multiple times, and also Battir, a small village on the outskirts of Bethlehem where one of our host brother’s is a manager at Neev View restaurant with stunning views. I also visited the Farwaa Refugee Camp, which is a necessary part of your understanding of the collateral damage that the occupation has caused. Some other things I did on the programme was visiting a local school and meeting with someone from the Ministry of Education, seeing the illegal border walls that separate Bethlehem (and the West Bank) and Jerusalem and doing an internship with our law mentor.
One of my favourite parts of the experience with the Centre was having breakfast with all the participants every morning, catching up about our days and discussing what’s next and just feeling truly part of a community here. I had plenty of time after my Arabic lessons and trips for the day to go to a local cafe and write up my notes and choose whatever I wanted to do for the evening. As long as you are respectful and willing to become a student and listen and learn from the people and their experiences you will feel more than safe in Palestine. I actually felt safer in Palestine than I did during my visits to Jerusalem, because I knew that I was part of a family and community here in Hebron.

Pros
  • The greatest way to experience Palestinian culture, learn Arabic, learn about the Israeli occupation and gain experience in your field all in one programme
  • Delicious food
  • The kindest, most helpful people.
Cons
  • Very hot during the summer
  • Long journey to get around and into Israel because of the checkpoints
  • You won't want to leave :(
49 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Jaskiran,

Thank you for sharing your extraordinary experience at the Excellence Centre in Palestine. Your review is not only heartfelt but also provides valuable insights into the richness of your journey as a second-year law student. It's clear that your time in Palestine was transformative on multiple levels, from language acquisition to cultural immersion and a deeper understanding of the region's complex legal and human rights issues.

Your description of your Arabic lessons with Ghaida highlights the importance of a dedicated and passionate teacher in language learning. It's wonderful to hear how she inspired you to pursue your Arabic studies further and instilled in you the enthusiasm to embrace the language's historical, social, and emotional aspects.

The opportunity to meet with local professionals, such as the Palestinian lawyer and your mentor, provides a unique perspective on the legal system and the broader social context in Palestine.

Your comments about the warmth and kindness of your host family and the Palestinian people in general reflect the genuine hospitality and generosity often found in Palestinian culture. The emphasis on sharing home-cooked meals and experiencing Palestinian cuisine in such a personal way adds a special dimension to your cultural immersion.

Your visit to various places, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Battir, and the Farwaa Refugee Camp, highlights the importance of exploring the region from different perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding.

Thank you for sharing your incredible journey, Jaskiran. We wish you the best in your continued studies and future endeavors.

Warm regards,

Default avatar
Kat
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Palestinian Laws and Practices

The Excellence Centre has been an incredible and enriching experience for me and I have learnt so much. Palestinians are the most warm and welcoming people you will ever meet and I feel lucky to have made so many friends here.

The center regularly hosted dinners for the students where we could try famous local dishes such as Makluba. If you have the time, make sure to attend these because it is always delicious!!

As part of my course, I got the unique opportunity to visit a diverse range of places all over Palestine. Additionally, one of the great things about the center is the flexibility. If you show an interest in a particular area, they are more than happy to accommodate you on various trips even if they are for a different program. As such, I feel like I received an even richer, inter-disciplinary understanding of Palestine.

As part of the program, I also learnt Levantine Arabic. My teachers were absolutely incredible and I wish to say a huge thank you to them because I have learnt more than I thought was possible in such a short time. I hope to continue my learning when I get back to the UK.

As a woman, I was cautious travelling to the Middle East by myself. However, I have felt so safe in the West Bank. Everyone is also so nice and if you are lost or have problems finding a certain location, locals will often go above and beyond to help you.

Palestine now has a permanent place in my heart and I hope I can return someday soon!

Pros
  • Food
  • Culture
  • People
48 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Kat,

We truly appreciate your heartfelt review of your experience with The Excellence Centre. Learning about the enriching and incredible journey you embarked upon during your time there brings us immense joy.

Your depiction of the Palestinian people's warmth and welcoming nature is truly heartening. This underscores the transformative power of cultural exchange and the profound connections that form when we explore unfamiliar territories. It's wonderful to learn that your time there resulted in lasting friendships that have undoubtedly enhanced the value of your experience.

We're thrilled to hear that your journey encompassed the learning of Levantine Arabic as well. Your expression of gratitude towards your teachers and the notable progress you achieved in such a brief period is a testament to their unwavering dedication and your steadfast commitment to learning. We sincerely hope that your learning journey continues to be just as fulfilling upon your return to the UK.

Kat, thank you once again for entrusting us with your story. We extend our best wishes to you and anticipate the possibility of crossing paths again in Palestine in the future.

Warm regards from Palestine!

Questions & Answers