Human Rights Program Review

My name is Fionn McPeake, I am 22 years old, and I am from Ireland. My stay at centre lasted only 10 days, although I wish I could have stayed for longer. I participated in the Human Rights Internship, and it was a fascinating and enriching experience. The program consisted of unforgettable trips, meetings, and discussions in Hebron and beyond, including a tour of the old town and Al Ibrahimi Mosque, and a visit to Al Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron. Although my stay was short, I was still able to get see the difficulties Palestinian people face everyday as a result of the Israeli occupation. Despite these difficulties, the people here are among the friendliest and most welcoming I have ever come across. They are happy to help you at every turn and go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home. Safety really is not an issue for visitors, and I felt super comfortable throughout the entire experience.
The Centre also presents a wonderful opportunity to learn Arabic. Due to the amazing teaching at the Centre and the immersion experience of living in Hebron, I was able to achieve a good level of understanding of Levantine Arabic in quite a short time. My teacher, Haya, was so helpful and kind, as are all of the other teachers at the Centre. One of the best parts of the experience here was meeting so many lovely, like-minded volunteers/interns during my stay. With the weekend off, you have the opportunity to travel with friends you make to other beautiful places outside of Hebron – for example, I was able to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho (hot), and even swim in the Dead Sea. Throughout the experience I have also had the chance to try a huge range of Palestinian foods which I look forward to trying to replicate at home in Ireland.
Overall, my stay in Palestine has been hugely enjoyable and incredibly interesting. I have met so many amazing people and learnt so much in such a short time and I am looking forward to coming back for longer. I highly recommend coming to the centre for anyone who is looking to immerse themselves in the wonderful culture Palestine and its people have to offer.