Laurence is a musician from Scotland who loves to travel and experience new cultures.
I chose this program because I wanted to experience Palestinian culture as well as the refugee situation first-hand. I also wanted to help students learn English through Music and in turn learn Arabic. Furthermore, I wanted to gain insight into the daily lives of those affected by the conflict.
This program looked to be a perfect fit for me and I am glad I made the decision to participate as a volunteer.
My program provider made me feel welcome in Hebron from day one and provided me with a fantastic apartment in the heart of the city. I lived in this apartment with fellow volunteers who I became close friends with and shared unforgettable experiences. I organized some day trips on my own and my program provider also organized group tours to various sights in Hebron.
The best advice I can give to someone going on this program is to immerse yourself in the culture as soon as possible and go along with the flow of daily life.
Practice Arabic with local people who will be more than happy to help you out and don't be afraid to ask for help whenever necessary. The Palestinian people are extremely hospitable, welcoming and warm.
An average week as a participant of this program may involve one-on-one English tuition, classroom English teaching, volunteer work in refugee camps and also Arabic classes if you would like to learn Arabic.
I encourage participants to learn conversational Arabic to help with daily interactions, especially in refugee camps where English is less commonly spoken. This will improve your overall experience.
My biggest fear before going on my trip was that I wouldn't be welcomed as a foreigner and I would struggle to learn the local language. I committed myself to a certain amount of Arabic hours per week and, although I am not fluent, this helped greatly to learn basic conversational skills and interact with Palestinians.
This experience has been one of a lifetime and something I will never forget. The community and spirit of Palestinian people are incomparable and I have never before felt so welcomed in a city as I did in Hebron. Exchanging cultures has been mutually beneficial and I have learned so much about a culture I previously knew so little about.