Program Reviews

My time in Hebron was inspiring. Each day, I’d head to the center around 9:30 a.m. and spend my time visiting local radio stations and media organizations in Hebron. These field visits were incredible for meeting people in the industry and getting a firsthand look at Palestinian media.

I also took Arabic classes, which were a huge help in building my conversational skills. My teacher was amazing, every lesson was fun, and I learned so much. Even though I’d studied some Arabic before, these classes really boosted my confidence with the language. Before coming here, I’d heard mixed things about safety in Palestine. But from my experience, it’s been nothing but welcoming.

I felt safe walking around alone, even at night, and the locals were incredibly kind. I first visited Palestine on my own in 2019, and I felt just as comfortable now in Hebron. If you’re considering Go Palestine, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a chance to learn, connect, and experience a beautiful, welcoming culture firsthand.

Hello, my name is Alex, and I'm from the United States. I had the privilege of participating in the Lawyers in Palestine program, where I spent an unforgettable month in Palestine. My time there was nothing short of incredible.

The people were overwhelmingly kind even in these hard times, always ready to lend a hand and make sure I was well taken care of, happy, and enjoying my experience. The hospitality here is unmatched. Throughout the program, every day was filled with new learning and adventures.

I met numerous lawyers, attended court sessions, and even visited hospitals and schools. I had the unique opportunity to sit in on a class at the College of Law at Hebron University, where I was able to engage with the Dean and other students. Beyond my academic experiences, the Go Palestine team organized excursions to Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, and other smaller cities around Hebron. I also met with various human rights organizations that gave me valuable insights into the complexities of the Israeli occupation and Palestinian law. One of the things that stood out to me most was the legal system in Palestine.

There is such a fascinating and intricate mix of laws at play Israeli law, British Mandate law, Jordanian law, Sharia law, and civil law. It was eye-opening to see how all these different legal frameworks interact, and the Go Palestine program made sure I had the chance to meet experts from each area to understand how they shape the daily lives of Palestinians. Throughout my stay, I always felt safe.

Even when traveling through checkpoints, I was well-informed about the procedures and knew exactly what to expect. I would encourage everyone to visit Palestine, and if you're unsure about how to go about it, I highly recommend the Go Palestine program. They made me feel like family, and they will do the same for you.

Hello! I’m Mia from Australia. With the current situation in Gaza, my visit to the West Bank to help refugees felt very important. I’ve always been interested in Palestine, and this trip let me connect with the wonderful people of Hebron.

I volunteered with Go Palestine, teaching English to kids in Al Aroop Camp age 11 to 12. Their excitement about having a new teacher, even for a few days, warmed my heart. I also took some Arabic lessons from a fantastic teacher named Asma, who made learning fun. A highlight of my trip was visiting the old city of Hebron and the Hirbawi factory, the last place making traditional Palestinian Keffiyeh. Seeing this craft up close was unforgettable.

I was welcomed by a local family, which helped me experience daily life in Hebron. I loved every moment and often wished I could stay longer. The hospitality of the Palestinian people is amazing, especially given the challenges they face every day.

Even with the tensions in the area, I felt safe and welcomed. When you show genuine interest in the culture, the locals are kind and friendly. The history, traditions, and delicious food I enjoyed left a big impression on me.

Hebron can be tense, but I found peace and connection there. If you’re curious about the region and want a meaningful experience, I highly recommend volunteering in Hebron. It deepens your understanding of the culture and creates lasting memories. I can’t wait to return and continue this journey!

I spent two weeks in Hebron, Palestine, and the experience was unforgettable. The people here are incredibly welcoming, and their kindness is something I’ll never forget. I’ve learned so much about Palestinian culture, picked up some of the language, and seen how their legal system works, which is very different from what I know in the UK.

During the program, we met local Palestinian lawyers and learned about their jobs. We also visited courts to watch how cases are handled and spoke with different NGOs and human rights groups. This was an eye opening experience, helping us see how the law is put into action and how these groups support the community.

I felt safe throughout my time here. Palestine, and Hebron in particular, is beautiful, and I felt secure and always welcomed. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to discover the true beauty of Palestine and see its unique legal system.

As a beginner to Arabic, I was nervous to embark on an unfamiliar linguistic experience. My teacher Dua’a created a safe, welcoming, and invigorating space to learn about Palestinian language and culture. My knowledge of Arabic has vastly expanded and helped me to connect to Palestinian history and culture. I think of Arabic as the mother to many languages, my linguistic horizons have expanded. I feel grateful to Dua’a for her patience, flexibility, and encouragement during this special journey.

After spending the previous year in Lebanon studying Arabic, I was eager to continue improving my Levantine dialect. Naturally, Palestine felt like the perfect next step. Don’t let the occupation and the current situation discourage you, Hebron is one of the most captivating cities in the West Bank.

I enjoyed exploring both sides of the city, one under Israeli control and the other governed by the Palestinian Authority. The diversity of activists and humanitarian organizations working on the ground was fascinating to witness.

The center became my anchor during my stay, offering a sense of routine and comfort. Sharing breakfast with the same group of people each morning helped me feel more settled in a new place where I didn’t know anyone. I joined several tours and meetings organized by the center, including visits to Shuhada Street, which remains famously shut down, the last Keffiyeh factory in the West Bank, various glass and pottery factories, and insightful discussions with professors, lawyers, and journalists.

Guided tours of Hebron’s Old City are a must, and the center is always happy to arrange one for you. My experience was quite unique since I documented the center’s activities through photography and video. I also taught English and contributed to their website. The center is flexible and open to adapting your role, so even if you sign up for one program, you can explore other opportunities by simply talking to the staff.

Palestinians are known for their incredible hospitality, so don’t be surprised if you’re invited in for coffee or even a full meal. Accepting these invitations can offer a break from shawarma and falafel, although both are absolutely worth trying! Throughout my time in Hebron, I always felt safe. Locals were friendly and excited to meet foreigners, and I found they respected personal boundaries. However, I acknowledge that as a man, my experience may differ from that of women, who face different forms of harassment.

It’s wise to take basic safety precautions, such as traveling with a companion at night, but overall, Hebron isn’t a dangerous city. In fact, I highly recommend visiting. There’s always something to do, but I think it’s important to stay proactive meet people and stay engaged. The center here offers great support and helps provide a sense of structure to your experience.

I was eager to visit Palestine and found Go Palestine while looking for programs. The program included visiting the Old City, Al-Fawwar camp, various human rights organizations, the court, and allowed us to meet with lawyers and activists. We even organized a workshop and discussion with law students from Hebron University at the legal clinic.

What amazed me was how, despite living under occupation and not having a legislative council, local legal professionals showed incredible creativity and resilience. I met many people with innovative ideas for improving their society. Hebron is a great city, and I’d recommend visiting Palestine and especially Hebron to experience and understand the local culture and community.

During my stay in July, I volunteered with the Teaching English program, where my schedule was varied and engaging. I worked with excellent English teachers at the center and taught in nearby villages like Beit Ommar, Sureef, and Sair. I also explored Hebron, Akka, and other cities, and took Arabic lessons with a great teacher.

The locals in Hebron were incredibly welcoming, with neighbors always ready to help each other. I was impressed by how Palestinians, despite the occupation and the current situation, continue to make positive changes and support one another. I felt safer in Hebron than I have in America and highly recommend volunteering with Go Palestine.

My name is Siobhán. I've participated in the Media in Palestine Internship Program in Hebron with Go Palestine for one month. My experience exceeded all expectations, thanks to the warm welcome from my host family in Halhul and the rich cultural insights gained from local volunteers and daily activities.

The program offered a diverse daily schedule that included meetings with journalists and media experts, explorations of Hebron, Arabic lessons, and teaching media skills to students. Despite being in an occupied territory, Hebron felt safe and welcoming, thanks to the generous hospitality of the locals. This incredible experience allowed me to make lifelong friends and fully immerse myself in a new culture. I hope to return in the future!

I have had a fantastic experience taking online Arabic classes with Dua’a. She was kindly able to accommodate my busy schedule.

As a beginner to Arabic I have found Dua’a’s teaching to be very clear and systematic. It is evident she has a lot of experience as a teacher, because she can anticipate my questions before I ask them.

She is a very kind and patient teacher while also being fun and engaging. In addition to Arabic I am learning a lot about Palestinian culture.

I cannot recommend Dua’a enough!