I had one of the best experiences of my life working with this organization. The best part of my trip was the other volunteers i was working with, i have made friends for life we all came alone and left as a family.

The staff and teachers were amazing the host family were supportive of all our needs and wants. Absolutely beautiful experience recommend this to everyone.

The time we spent in the orphanage and refuge camps working with the kids was so special and worth while. My Arabic teacher worked so hard to teach me she deserves a gold medal her name is Jomana any one lucky enough to get her as a teacher will learn so much in a short time and will come out with a beautiful experience.

Again one of the best times in my life.

This is now my third stay in the West Bank. When I first came in 2023, I stayed in Bethlehem and visited Hebron only for a day as a tourist. I didn’t spend enough time there to form any lasting impression.

When I returned to Hebron in February 2025, almost no tourists were around due to the circumstances at the time. Just walking down the street made me stand out. Yet every person I passed greeted me with a warm smile and a heartfelt “Welcome!” Whenever I looked the slightest bit lost, someone immediately came to help.

I was quickly captivated by the people of Hebron, and I realized how special this place truly is. I promised myself that I would come back again soon. Even after I returned to Japan, I found myself thinking about Hebron every day—missing it, longing to return. Nine months later, as soon as I received my paid leave, I booked a flight and came back for my third visit.

During my last stay, I taught English to children in a refugee camp in Hebron. They were so charming and full of life that I promised them, “I’ll come back for you.” To keep that promise, I again chose to work at the camp this time. When I arrived, the kids who remembered me ran up and hugged me. They feel almost like my own children—so precious and impossible not to adore. Their English has improved even more since my last visit, and they were all so eager to learn. I can only pray that they will continue to receive the good education they deserve.

What made this stay different from my previous two was living in an apartment with other volunteers. Before, I had always stayed with a local family. This time, three cheerful and warm-hearted girls who had already been living there for a few weeks welcomed me into the apartment. They embraced me like family from the moment I arrived. We all came from different countries, yet we share the same purpose and the same feelings that brought us to the West Bank. We could talk passionately about Palestine for as long as we wanted—an experience that was both comforting and deeply moving.

And it wasn’t only their company that made my stay in the apartment so enjoyable. The wonderful host family lived right next door to us. They constantly looked out for us, made sure we lacked nothing, and offered us such warm hospitality that every day felt exceptional. I could happily live in that apartment forever.

I also loved my Arabic lessons at the center. In Japan, I usually study Arabic on a language app, but apps can’t correct my pronunciation or writing. Having one-on-one lessons this time helped me discover many of the mistakes and weak points I have. Since there is almost no place in Japan to study Levantine Arabic, learning directly from a local teacher here was incredibly valuable. When I return to Japan, I’ll try my best to continue studying Levantine Arabic so that I can improve before I come back to Hebron again.

Soon I will have to leave and return to my country. But I know I will come back to Hebron again before long. I know when I get back to my ordinary life in Tokyo, I will think of my days here, miss this place deeply, and long to see the people of Hebron once more.

I’ve traveled to many countries and cities around the world, but I have never known a place with kinder people than Hebron. I want to keep coming back and call this place my second home.

I truly enjoyed my experience at the Excellence Center in Hebron. Through the teaching English program, I was given the opportunity to teach local students in schools, take excursions to sites around the West Bank, and develop a strong bond with the students, program leaders and volunteers. The program is very well structured and the hospitality is incredible. In the short time I was with the center, I felt I was able to make an impact on local students, which really meant the world to me. You really feel like the center is one big family with the same mission. Everyone eats together and does activities together in addition to the volunteering. The dorms are kept clean and conveniently located walking distance from the center. Everything was great, from the volunteering to the Arabic lessons to the tours. I really can't say enough good things about the Excellence Center.

I had a fabulous time during my 4+ weeks at the Center. The staff was as friendly and supportive as one could wish. My teacher was wonderful, and I learned more Arabic than I would have imagined possible in such a short period of time. I also had ample teaching opportunities: at the Center itself, at a refugee camp, and at Hebron University. I found Hebron to be a very welcoming city, but I also developed a fuller understanding of the serious challenges the Palestinian people face in the cities and the countryside. My weeks at the Center were among the most satisfying and meaningful in my life.

The staff at the Center was fantastic. My Arabic teacher helped me learn more Arabic in four weeks than I would have thought possible. The excursions into the city and the surrounding area gave me a feel for contemporary Palestine, and with the Center's help I was able to teach English at a refugee camp as well as at the Center itself. The Center also helped me make a connection with Hebron University where I was able to give several guest lectures. My time here has been among the most meaningful experiences in my life.

I had such a wonderful experience at the Engage with Palestine center. I was made to feel right at home and anything I needed was sorted. The local teachers I worked with are incredible people...I learned so much from them....so,thank you. The children are so eager to learn and have fun it made it very difficult to leave. During my time at the center I was made feel part of the family... everyone was so welcoming and generous with their time. I never thought that I would make so many friends in such a short period of time. From the people at the center to the people from other parts of the world I met I say thank you and we'll see other soon... Insha'Allah.

The Excellence Centre in Hebron is a wonderful place to volunteer. The staff at the center are hilarious, kind and welcoming. The experience of teaching English here is one that I will never forget and appreciate a lot. Hebron is an interesting city which is filled with history and culture. Furthermore, Palestine is the most hospitable country that I have travelled to in my life.

I am honestly so fortunate to have visited and volunteered at the center in Hebron and to have had the opportunity to see Palestine. Alongside volunteering, the center provided me with numerous opportunities to travel during my time in Palestine. I visited Masaffer Yatta, Bethlehem, Bateer and all of Hebron and its environs thanks to the center.

Despite the tense security situation, at no point did I fear for my safety thanks due to the advice provided by the center. I managed also to ingratiate myself with Palestinian society and improve my Arabic skills thanks to the help of the center.

The students that I taught English to were eager to learn, exciting and hilarious. I am very thankful that I had this opportunity and cannot recommend the Excellence Center in Hebron enough.

I wanted to come to Palestine for many reasons, namely, to understand the situation on the ground greater, to improve my Arabic language skills and to see Palestine. I can comfortably say that all the goals I had before coming to Palestine were fulfilled and more.

The Excellence Center was such an amazing program. So much so I came back a second time and plan to come again soon! The center as well as the city was so safe and just a great experience. I understand that people may be hesitant but I never had to worry about anything my entire month here. And I know my fellow volunteers felt the same. Safety was definitely ensured. The programs are so interactive with the children who are so much fun when the class starts. The teachers are some of the friendliest I've ever had. Patient, warm, caring, etc. The city is so friendly and lively. The people are great. The organizers are like family to me now. I love everyone at the center.