Program Reviews

I'll never be the same after this experience in Palestine. The people have stolen a big piece of my heart forever. From the moment I entered the Excellence Center to my last tear-filled day, I was loved and supported from all members of the center as well my host family and local community. It is definitely a different experience being here during a 'war', things are a bit slower, not as many celebrations, but simply being here gives you so much insight into the daily life of Palestinians and the resilience they display while living under an unjust and horrific occupation.

I was able to learn more about the conflict between the occupiers (Israel) and the occupied (Palestine) and dip my toes into the human rights world with the human rights program here. I absolutely wish I was able to meet with more local organizations that focused on the human rights abuses of the occupation forces but I know this is a very unique time in Palestine. So I recommend for those that come and do the human rights program, do your research on organizations here and let the center know that you'd like to set up meetings with them. The center will do everything in their power to connect you with the right people. It might be more challenging during the current situation, but all efforts will be made to give you the best experience.

I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that I'm leaving Palestine in less than 24 hours, but I know I will be back, and inshallah (God willing) it will be for even longer than this 2-month visit. I'm leaving a big piece of my heart here in Palestine with the people that have truly become my family. There is no place like Palestine. It will inspire you, break your heart, and remind you of what true humanity looks like all in the same moment. Don't pass up an opportunity to come here, you'll be forever changed.

Over the past three years I have been trying and switching learning methods regularly. It gave me a basic vocabulary, but when I tried to speak my mind freezed.

My teacher Duha helped me to overcome that obstacle. I noticed that she really made an effort to 'read' me. To try and find out which pace, variation and challenges work for me. The frustration I often felt when learning Arabic disappeared because I became confident I was making progress.

I hope to continue soon, this time in Hebron.

I’ve taken standard Arabic classes before but wanted to focus on being able to speak better and specifically in the Palestinian dialect to understand the older generation of my family. Saja was my teacher and she helped me feel more confident in speaking even if I made mistakes. She helped me with grammar and vocabulary and using dialect instead of the standard which is more helpful to communicate with others. I’ve noticed I can understand more when people talk to me and I can form sentences better. I took the basic 10 class course and I really enjoyed it and looked forward to my classes if anything I wish I had taken more classes and that they were a little longer. Saja was always helpful, kind, and supportive of my journey and always made sure to ask if I understood or needed anything to help me succeed.

I’m Mayu from Tokyo, Japan and I joined the refugees in Palestine program.
I had incredible opportunities during my time here to visit refugee camps and learn Palestinian history. I also had many opportunities to learn about the Palestinian culture and Arabic language. I wish I could stay longer to learn more.
The most surprising part of this program for me was how safe it is here. Most of the public information I got in Japan from the media discouraged me from coming here. Despite this, I felt as safe and welcomed here as I do when I’m in Japa

The center itself felt like home after only one day there, and I am planning on going back to visit before I head back to the states. My tutor (hi Duha!) is amazing, kind, and patient—much like the rest of the staff at the center. Throughout the whole program you have as much independence as you want. The center can arrange tours, site visits, and provide suggestions for spending your time or you can tackle the days as you see fit. Getting around Hebron is simple, even without Arabic. One thing to note is you have to ask people for directions (the staff are very willing to help, too!). Maps don't have the most updated information and cell service can be spotty given the occupation.

I will never stop talking about my week in Hebron. I have been working in Tel Aviv for the past few months, and had a weeklong vacation from work. I have never studied Arabic before and jumped at the opportunity to immerse myself in the language and culture of Palestine. The people were so welcoming and maintain strength and optimism even six months into war.

I’m a female medical student who is interested in joining Doctors Without Borders after I graduate, and to hopefully be stationed in West Asia. This experience with PEC is foundational to that, even though this felt more a bit like an “orientation” because I’m unfamiliar with the Palestinian healthcare system. My only regret is that my Arabic wasn’t better before I came.

I loved being able to engage with the community and see the ins and outs of community infrastructure, especially for the robust and amazing disability services like the Blind School here in Hebron.

The directors are fantastic & great room accommodations :) Shokran ! A must-go!

Having been here for about a month, The Excellence Center has not only helped me learn more about the Palestinian community as a whole, but it has also helped me understand the culture, the customs, and the ways in which the Palestinians
continue to create good among a world of oppression and occupation. I participated in the Human Rights Internship for the month of April, 2024. Throughout my time, I
have not only learned so much in such a short amount of time, but I have found a community in which I feel a great connection to, despite our diverse backgrounds. Asa young American woman, it can be difficult to find community in a country where the customs, cultures, and ways of life are quite unique. However, the staff and faculty at The Excellence Center, as well as other volunteers, have made me feel very safe, comfortable, and eager to learn as much as I could in the short amount of time I was there.

During my time, I had around nine hours of Arabic lessons in which I learned basic phrases to help me get around, order at a restaurant, ask for directions, etc. My Arabic teacher was very welcoming and patient. In addition to the Arabic lessons, I
was able to go on many site visits to places such as local clinics, specialized schools,
refugee camps, as well as other religious and non-religious sites around Hebron, and beyond.

Because my housing accommodation was a short 10 minute walk from the Center, I
felt very safe walking around at night, knowing how close home was. The other
volunteers and I wasted no time in traveling to neighboring cities, such as Nablus,
Ramallah, Bethlehem, and more in order to get as much learning as possible. Among many other things, I love the food, music, and zest of Palestinian culture. Overall,
this experience was rewarding in ways I hadn’t even expected and I would highly recommend this program for anyone who is remotely interested.

My first course in Arabic was 50 years ago. As I progressed through the academic hierarchy I took several other courses and did fairly well. However, there was no breath in the MSA. Recently, I decided that I needed to make the Arabic I knew into a living, breathing Arabic, no longer a language stuck to pages and inside books, but a vehicle of communication and laughter, tears and agony in real life. It has been my good fortune that I found Duha Amro at this online course with Go Overseas. She has been an exemplary teacher, compassionate, yet disciplined; a sense of humor; and a warmth of heart known to the Palestinians. As a language teacher myself, I recommend her and this program highly.

The entire organisation is incredibly welcoming and kind. They made me feel right at home. I was a little worried coming here whilst a genocide is going on just 70 km from here. I was scared anything might happen here in the West Bank, but I also felt there would be no time like now to come and show my support to the people of Palestine and learn more about the ongoing occupation. I am very happy I ended up going. I learned a lot and got to network and exchange ideas with locals and local organisations who do impressive things. I met incredible people and felt right at home. I felt safe the entire time I was here.

My program was tailored to my specific interests, questions and specialties, that was great. They were very open for feedback and ideas.

I would recommend the experience to any and all! Age and nationality doesn't matter, you will fit right in.

Excellent programme. My language instructor, Saja, was great fun and particularly helpful with any questions I had. The improvement of my colloquial Arabic skills, with which she assisted greatly, was aided in addition by the plethora of social activities arranged by the Centre. The folks running the Centre are warm, friendly and generous. Because my stay took place during Ramadan, they often kindly invited me over for iftar at their place. Outside of Arabic classes, normally attended in the morning, the overall programme proved highly instructive. The visits undertaken, including to Hebron old town and al-Fawwar camp, were particularly helpful in shaping my understanding of the situation in the West Bank. So was the opportunity to see the more modern side of the city, where the Centre is located. The programme also allows plenty of time during the weekends to explore nearby towns and cities. Teaching English to middle and high schoolers, which is part of the Centre's programme, was an equally rewarding experience, especially as it allowed for an exchange of perspectives with some of the young people in Hebron. I am grateful to all of the wonderful people at the Centre, and I hope to see everyone again soon.