Human Rights Program Review

My name is Siw. I am a Danish student with a bachelor’s degree in History. At the centre, I am in the human rights program, which I have been doing for four weeks. I did 12 hours of Arabic lessons, which I found extremely helpful. We started learning some introduction phrases and the alphabet, which helped me get by in Palestine. Other than that, my host family were happy to help me learn some new words and phrases. For four weeks, I lived with my Palestinian host family. They invited me to their family members’ graduation party and introduced me to the Palestinian culture, which I am thankful for.

During my stay at the centre, I participated in various visits to different sites, such as Masafer Yatta, a Beduin community in the southern West Bank, where we had the opportunity to speak with the inhabitants. I also visited the Hebron Municipality, refugee camps, local Palestinian families etc. The environment of the centre is very down to earth. The staff, teachers, and students are ready to help if a problem arises. Overall I will say that there is a positive atmosphere here at the centre.

On the weekends, together with other interns and volunteers, I visited Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jerico. I also had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Safety was an essential question for me in my consideration of coming here. Palestine, I found, is more safe than I first assumed. I did not at any time feel unsafe or insecure, which is also what I like about Hebron. However, what I like most about Palestine is the friendliness of the people I have had the chance to meet during my time here. They have been overwhelmingly helpful and open-minded, and I have been treated as one of their own. Nature is also something I enjoy – the beauty is breathtaking. Even though I have many things that I like about Palestine, all the history embedded in the landscape here is mindblowing and has been something that I have had the chance to explore more in debt.

After my internship, my lasting impression of Palestine is how complicated everything is here and how many Palestinian lives, unfortunately, are affected by politics. However, they somehow seem to find strength beneath all the suffering. The environment of the centre is very down to earth. The staff, teachers and students are ready to help if a problem arises. Overall I will say that there is a positive atmosphere here at the centre. My overall experience at the Excellence Center and in Palestine is positive. I have enjoyed my time here and met some amazing people who has been so great in sharing their stories with us. I can wholeheartedly recommend this Excellence Center to others.