Internship in Palestine (Human Rights, Palestinian Refugees, Law)

I spent six weeks with the Excellence Centre learning about the situation here in Palestine, occasionally helping with English teaching, and also studying intensive Arabic. There was a wide range of visits, both in Hebron (which has a unique situation because there are settlements in the middle of the old city) and around it to the refugee camps and Masafer Yatta. It was a unique opportunity to visit many of these places and hear from local people about their lives and their opinions. Teaching English was also a rewarding experience. I was here during the winter and the number of international volunteers was quite small but there was a good group and there were lots of opportunities for people to travel together on the weekends. I was really happy with my Arabic class with Doha, who put a huge amount of effort into designing our classes to suit my interests and my level. I would recommend to anyone who comes here to try and take more than the minimum level of Arabic because spending time here is a great opportunity to improve.

I know many people may be worried about coming to spend time in Hebron because of security but I had no problems at all in that regard.

I was only here for a week, but through several visits, I got to know Hebron. I feel that being able to see the Israeli occupation by myself and hear stories from loclas was very valuable experience. Palestinans are supposed to be in difficult situation, but i felt that they didnt make us feel that. they are cheerful and friendly. Through this stay, i learned not only about the difficult situation but also about how cheerful the people are.
I also took arabic lesson and it was good to me. I have learned standard Arabic, but never learned dialects. BUt to communincate, the dialects is most important, so the class is very valuable and my teacher taught me very well.

I'm Carlotta, I'm from Italy and I am 24. I've been one month in Hebron and it was a great experience and I had the opportunity to lear so much about the occupation and the situation here. The activities that I had were really interesting. All the staff and the teachers were amazing and always available to help me. I had the opportunity to visit so many places in the west bank.
The host family has been as a second family here. I've always felt safe and peole here are really welcoming.
The food is amazing.

i came to learn more about the human right in palestine and it was my first time in palestine so i needed a place where i could feel safe and learn in the same time. the center is located in the center of west bank and the people are the kindest and my host family made feel like home with her family. overall i am satisfied with what they offered as trips and programs that made me understand more about what is going on in palestine. Moreover, i had arabic lesson with one the sweetest teacher (douha) who helped strenghten my palestinian dialect and understand the roots of palestine through converstaions. thank you for sharing your values with us and being part of it.

As a Muslim, I have always heard about what has gone on in Palestine and the injustices that Palestinians have suffered. I therefore decided to search for a programme which will enable me to volunteer in Palestine and to immerse myself in the culture.

Being a part of the Excellence Centre has allowed me to get involved dirrectly. Although the time was short, it really has helped me with my personal growth and I was exposed to a community I am not used to being a part of. This opportunity has had such a positive impact on me and I cannot describe the feeling of being a part of a community at the excellence centre and within the community itself.

The hospitality of the host family was next to nothing. They were absolutely amazing and I know I will miss them so much. I already cannot wait to return.

This programme that the Excellence Centre provide is amazing. I have felt like a part of their family here and I wish I was here for longer. Osama and Marwa are truly fantastic and I make dua that they are successful in everything they do.

I had an amazing time with the Excellence Centre. In just two weeks, I have had visits to numerous organisations, including women's organisations, hospitals, schools, law firms and other community projects. This has provided me with an in-depth insight into the human rights situation in Palestine and the challenges that individuals face. The Centre have an excellent teaching program in Arabic, which was useful for me as a beginner. I travelled solo and felt safe walking around Hebron. I enjoyed meeting volunteers from around the world and the staff were always welcoming and supportive. Thank you!

The Excellence Center is an excellent place to learn about the occupation in Palestine and to get to know the Palestinian people. I met so many people in my month here, I felt safe and taken care of every step of the way, and I am leaving with a full heart and so much on the ground knowledge of the situation here. The experiences you will have vary widely, and really give you a sense of the scope of the issues. You also have time on your own to wander and engage in the city. After one month here, all of the staff feel like family! I would happily come back again, as I feel there is no end to what I can learn here.

Studying Human Rights at The Excellence Center was a fantastic experience, lead by thoughtful, dedicated and organized people. I found Palestine safe, stimulating and educational, and the center itself to be accommodating, with well thought out programming and excellent teachers. Osama and Marwa have created an incredible environment, and went out of their way to ensure that I and everybody had their needs met. And the food is something I miss daily! I look forward to going back! 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️