Israel and Palestine in Context

I’m Luca from the United Kingdom, and I participated in the Israel and Palestine in Context programme.

I’ve participated in extensive activities while here: I’ve taught English, visited refugee camps, hiked in the countryside, talked to lawyers, professors, students, government ministers, artists, and activists. I’ve explored Palestinian towns and cities like Hebron, Bethlehem, Jericho, Ramallah, and Nablus and visited Israeli settlements.

Everyone here at the Centre is truly accommodating and friendly, and the Arabic lessons have been fantastic. From having no Arabic whatsoever, I can understand rudimentary conversations and exchanges. I highly recommend the experience!

Palestine itself is stunning and has something for everyone. The dishes, like maqluba and mansaf, are delicious and the landscape is beautiful. Palestine itself, despite the news headlines, is incredibly safe. Have common sense, and be careful, and you’ll have no problems whatsoever. The Palestinian people are incredibly warm, accommodating, and curious to learn about you and your background.

Palestine will forever have a lasting and fond place in my heart, it’s absolutely unlike anywhere I’ve been, and I’ve loved every second here. It’s effortlessly interesting, and almost impossible to tune out – there’s always something going on in the streets or the Centre that catches your attention.