Program Reviews

Volunteering with the Excellence Center in the human rights program was not only very fulfilling, but gave me a lot more insight into the human rights situation in Palestine that cannot be directly observed from a foreigner's lens. The administration is highly knowledgeable about the political and social landscape of Palestine, and were more than willing to share their knowledge with the volunteers.

Throughout my time at the center, I took shami arabic lessons every morning to improve my arabic skills. I would then practice what I learned throughout Al Khalil by communicating with the locals. After the arabic lessons, myself and other volunteers would go to significant sights such as the Ibrahimi Mosque, Musafar Yatta, Fawwar refugee camp and Al Quds.

My name is Genevieve and I'm a Physics PhD student from the United States. I came to the Excellence Center for one month to teach English and learn Arabic, but my experience encompasses so much more than that. I got to see the Old City of Hebron, witness discrimination against Palestinians by Israeli guards, and speak with people who endured physical violence perpetrated by the settlers and soldiers. The Excellence Center helped arrange for me to visit Ibrahimi Mosque, the glass factory, and the kuffiyeh factory. I also got to visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Masafer Yatta.

Everyone at the center was so warm and welcoming. We were served breakfast every day and often also enjoyed dinner with our hosts. Even the students I taught were welcoming. They sometimes gave me chocolates and were always so engaged and excited to learn. The apartment I lived in was comfortable and very close to the center. I never felt scared, even when walking alone at night as a woman. The locals always seem happy to chat with foreigners and give directions or recommendations. The local cuisine is also amazing and I'm excited to try making some of the new foods I tried here, like maqluba and sahlab.

One of the most valuable parts of my experience here was getting to see the settler areas in Hebron and Masafer Yatta. Seeing the stark differences in infrastructure and quality of life between the Palestinian and settler areas was eye opening. Even though I'm sad to leave, I'm excited to be able to use my experience to educate others about what is actually happening in the West Bank.

Since I'm from the luscious green pacific northwest in the US, I'm also very happy that I got to experience the natural landscape in Palestine. One of my students was kind enough to take me hiking and exploring a cave. I'm grateful that I got to have such a well rounded experience by meeting people of all ages, including students, working adults, journalists, and local human rights activists, hearing first-hand accounts of settler violence, and seeing different parts of the city including some nature.

I will always remember the kind people I met here and their experiences with the occupation. My Arabic teacher Haya was extremely patient with me. I learned more Arabic from her in one month than i did in three months in America. My hosts Osama and Marwa were always kind and inviting despite having their hands full with four beautiful children. Even before I left, I was already trying to plan my next trip to visit Palestine again. The Excellence Center truly provides a unique life-changing experience and I'm so thankful to everyone I met here who welcomed me with open arms and helped me understand the local situation. I can't wait to come back and in the meantime I hope I can use my experience to support the Palestinian cause.

I spent a really beautiful one month here studying Arabic under the wings of Rafat, Dusan and Muaz who will treat you like family from the minute you arrive. I took the Intensive Course with Muaz, who really cares about your progress, is extremely knowledge about Arabic and knows how to transmit his knowledge, grow your capabilites and make you LOVE Arabic. He, along with Rafat and Dusan, do all in their power to make you feel welcome and in the best environment for learning. Take the jump and come!

I spent a really beautiful one month here studying Arabic under the wings of Rafat, Dusan and Muaz who will treat you like family from the minute you arrive. I took the Intensive Course with Muaz, who really cares about your progress, is extremely knowledge about Arabic and knows how to transmit his knowledge, grow your capabilites and make you LOVE Arabic. He, along with Rafat and Dusan, do all in their power to make you feel welcome and in the best environment for learning. Take the jump and come!

All the people on the program were incredibly kind and supportive. They make the environment feel safe and fun.

The activities you do are dynamic and allow you to learn through the processes. And also free creative reign to design the flow of the class you are teaching.

Regarding the classes you take, the teachers are focused on you personal learning and are willing to adjust to your needs and expectations.

I would love to stay more time in the program, if possible I will definitely come back

100% recommended

This program offers incredible flexibility, and we truly appreciated the opportunity to not only teach a refugee but also to learn either Arabic or German in the process. It’s a unique and enriching experience that allows for personal growth while making a meaningful difference. I highly recommend committing to at least a couple of weeks to fully immerse yourself in the program. The staff members and fellow volunteers were all exceptionally friendly and supportive, fostering a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, broadening your understanding and perspective. While we were initially drawn to the program for the chance to help refugees, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here and are likely to return in the future. It’s a rewarding experience that we wholeheartedly recommend!

I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer in Hebron, Palestine, for two weeks in November/December 2024, and it was an experience I will never forget. My time there was a perfect blend of meaningful work, cultural immersion, and personal growth, and I can't recommend it enough to anyone considering a similar opportunity.

I stayed in a comfortable, well-organized apartment just a short walk from the Excellence Center, which made it really easy to get to work each day. The apartment was perfect—quiet, clean, and in a great location. It allowed me to rest after busy days, and I truly felt at home. The Excellence Center itself is an inspiring place, offering a mix of educational programs and community engagement. My main role was teaching English to students at the center as well as at the nearby Al-Fawwar refugee camp. The students were motivated, eager to learn, and the experience of teaching them was both rewarding and humbling. There was also a great community of local teachers at the center, many of whom taught both English and Arabic. They were warm, supportive, and made me feel part of the team right away.

In addition to the teaching, the Excellence Center organized several cultural explorations, which were an eye-opening experience. These guided tours took me around Hebron and the surrounding areas, offering valuable insights into Palestinian society and life. We visited important sites in the city, explored the contrasts of the old and new parts of Hebron, and delved into the complex history and politics of the region. I also had the chance to visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and throughout my time in Palestine, I always felt safe. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is one of openness and hospitality. Everyone I met, whether in Hebron or in other parts of the West Bank, was eager to share their stories and culture, which made my experience even richer.

While the situation in the region is complex and it's important to stay informed about the current political climate, I personally felt well-prepared and safe throughout my time in Palestine. My advice to anyone considering a visit would be to do some research and stay up-to-date on the situation—it’s important to be informed and prepared, but if you do that, you will have an amazing experience.

Hebron itself is a city that’s both fascinating and deeply moving, with its rich religious and political history. Visiting the city, I found that it gave me a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges faced by Palestinians on a daily basis. It’s not just a city you visit, it’s a place that challenges you to reflect and understand.

Finally, I must mention how affordable everything was in comparison to what I’m used to in Western Europe. From accommodation to food, the costs were much lower, making the whole experience even more accessible.

Overall, my time volunteering in Hebron was a truly unforgettable experience. The people, the work, and the cultural immersion were all fantastic. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to make a positive impact, gain new perspectives, and immerse themselves in a different culture. The Excellence Center and the community there made this an enriching and worthwhile experience, and I can’t wait to go back one day.

I have spent two weeks at Excellent Centre for Palestine and during that time I have done an incredible amount.

Osama and Marwa were incredible hosts, making me feel very much part of the family. I enjoyed many teas and dinners with them. They and all the team at the centre are also very knowledgeable about Palestinian culture and history and always willing to answer questions and share information.

We met with many interesting local people via the centre, including business owners, human rights activists and local Palestinian citizens, who all openly shared their experiences and stories.

My Arabic speaking has come on a very long way, from knowing some basic greetings to now being able to have good conversations with locals and teachers. My arabic teacher was engaging, a great teacher and also fun to be with.

I worked with different groups of children in refugee camps and at the centre, who were all lovely to work with.

It has been an inspiring and educational experience which has taught me a lot about Palestine and also myself! I will definitely be back to visit everybody again in the future.

I would like to highly recommend the Excellence Center in Europe to anyone looking to teach English or learn more about the immigrant experience in Germany. The Center afforded me the opportunity to meet with and teach a diverse set of students that reside in Halle, but come from all over the world. Even with my limited teaching experience, the support offered by the center allowed for fun, engaging, and worthwhile classroom sessions for the students and myself. A definate highlight of my stay was the daily breakfast, which made the Excellence Center feel like a true family. I can't wait to come back for another 2 weeks.

If you have fears or worries or concerns; trust me, I know, that was me. But my positive experience with the center began before I arrived- the staff at the center were always responsive and understanding of the questions I had via WhatsApp and it was reassuring to go over everything with them before I even arrived. Their flexibility and willingness to accommodate was a sign of things to come and a reoccurring theme of my experience in Hebron.

With regards to the center itself and your daily routine, its always fun. There is something new to do everyday and if something strikes your fancy, those at the center are always willing to try and fit it in. The Arabic lessons themselves were great, and again, always flexible. You know how you learn and should have input in your own teaching, and the Arabic teachers are here are always responsive to that. Want to focus on grammar? No problem. Maybe you're more interested in particular vocab? No stress. I even got sick at one point and we moved my lessons around.

If you're interested in visiting Palestine and the center, do it. You won't regret it.