Short Term Volunteer Projects In Germany (1-13 Weeks)

When I first signed up to this programme, I was as nervous as could be. It was my first time travelling outside the UK alone and I had no idea what to expect but the moment I walked through the doors of the Excellence centre I was welcomed like I was an old friend. The team managed to dissipate any kind of fear or hesitation I had from the first day. Everyday after was better than the last. I got to meet people from all over contribute to the community by teaching English and study German all at the same time.

Studying German was one of the aspects I was most nervous about, it was something I had always been bad at school. Yet with both an absolutely phenomenal teacher and the other volunteers to practice with I found myself not only feeling a real sense of progress in learning the language but genuinely having fun.

Teaching English was another great part of the programme, we had both help in teaching but equally alot of freedom to teach as we thought best suited our students and their needs. Additionally it felt like a collaborative effort where we as the volunteers would constantly exchanging ideas for lessons and directions we could go for our different students.

My absolute favourite memories at the centre have to be the breakfasts. Being able to sit down as a group and share a meal is such a great way of getting everyone to gel together and become friends, I don't think there was a single breakfast where we weren't all laughing together at some point or another.

The excellence centre has an absolutely wonderful team who gave me an amazing experience. When my time at the centre was finished I was already thinking of when I could next return.
I genuinely cannot thank everyone at the centre enough for the experience they gave me.

The team is amazing! I spent two incredible weeks in Halle, where I had the chance to deeply explore Palestinian culture, traditions, and more. Everyone is extremely welcoming—you will feel at home from day one! The experience was truly enriching, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested.

A huge thank you to Rafat, Muaz, Dusan, and the whole team for their kindness and support. 100% recommended!

If you’re looking for an experience that combines learning, cultural exchange, and great people, this is the perfect place. Don’t hesitate to join—you won’t regret it!

Everyone at the Excellence Center is remarkably kind and welcoming. Shared meals and time spent at the Center reinforce a sense of community among volunteers and students. Moreover, everyone at the Center is eager to help one another. Rafat was incredibly helpful in coordinating opportunities that allowed me to complete the work required for my university funding, and the entire team was always a joy to be around.

My experience learning Arabic at the Excellence Center was exceptional. I arrived without even knowing the alphabet, and by the end of my 13 weeks, I could read, write, and speak about basic topics. Lessons are designed to maximize language use, making rote memorization—something I was accustomed to in university courses—far less necessary. It was unlike any other language learning experience I’ve had, and I found it far more effective than university language classes—not to mention highly enjoyable.

The Center fosters a great community, and there are plenty of opportunities to meet people local to Halle. These opportunities made Halle feel like home during my 12 weeks there.

I would highly recommend the Excellence Center to anyone looking to learn Arabic and experience life in Germany. I gained an enormous amount from everyone I had the privilege of meeting through the Center. The value lies not only in the volunteering and educational programs but also in the meaningful community interactions that are part of everyday life.

The day I arrived at the center, I immediately received a warm welcome and an orientation. Later that night, I got to the apartment which I would be staying in while studying and teaching. I immediately felt at home with everyone who I would be living with, and continued to the whole time I was in Halle. The culture that the excellence center promotes through great teaching and leadership is amazing. It leads to an extremely inclusive and close relationship between all people at the center, as well as makes learning a new language and teaching English (no easy task for most people) a very fun experience.

The Excellence Center is such a wonderful community full of supportive individuals and teachers that have helped advance my Arabic skills so much in 3 weeks in a way I never thought possible. I’ve truly grown through this experience in a way that I haven’t been able to in my Arabic classes at university. Being at the Center feels like staying with family and they are willing to help you for anything you may need during your stay in Halle. The living experience is also incredible, I stayed in an apartment with other students and I was able to make some amazing friends. I’m so incredibly grateful for this experience and I hope to come back soon.

At first I was hesitant to commit to the program, since I had never traveled outside of the states. After experiencing 2 weeks in Halle, I wish i had more time to stay. Everyone at the center has such kind hearts with nothing but positive intentions. Everyday I looked forward to having breakfast with the others at the center and laughing about our life experiences. I truly learned an immense amount about different cultures and myself during my two weeks at the center. If you are deciding whether or not to commit to the program, this is your sign to go to Halle and experience how amazing the Excellence Center truly is.

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!