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

this is my second time visiting the excellence center, and it will not be my last. the first time i worked with the center I worked as an English teacher. I got to learn a lot about the education system and spend time with the local Palestinian kids and learn about their personalities and studying habits. my second time hear i participated in the human rights program. I missed teaching the kids, but with this program i got to learn a lot the history and day to day life of Palestinians. I got to hear stories and see for myself the struggles of the Palestinians suppression and occupation. I was able to visit multiple camps and family homes and learn about their future goals and optimism for a Palestine with no apartheid. The human rights program is a great way to make connections to local people and network with other volunteers to create plans to help the community. I loved my experience here and will be back very soon.

History is always written by victors. Instead of being documented impartially, it is usually being reported under the influence of some sort of ideology. Therefore, as a history and political science major student, it is imperative for me to view things as impartially and discreetly as possible.

In an era filled with information, with such vast information that it is arduous for us to distinguish accurate information from fake information, it is paramount for me to see eye to eye what really happened. With this in mind, I decided to fly to Palestine, to see what really happened, to see whether the news media, regardless of their political stance, is impartial or not, and most importantly, to document what happened so that I would be able to showcase the genuine situation of what Palestinians are facing day by day.

Before I came to Palestine, I thought the situation would be quite perilous. With the fact that I am a tourist, I feared I might be robbed by some random people on the street (As my skin color explicitly distinguishes me from local inhabitants). I even fear that my skin color might make me a target of some sort of extreme racial group, as I do not look Arabic at all, and there aren’t that many Asians traveling to Palestine.

Nevertheless, my experiences in Palestine and the excellence center have proven me utterly wrong. Contrary to my expectations, people here are so lovely that I have been greeted with a smiling face daily by people I do not know. They are so benevolent that they even treated me falafel balls when I said hi to them. In the center, my Arabic teacher, Miss Haya, taught me with patience and kindness even when my Arabic was pretty atrocious (Arabic is very sophisticated). Even though my Arabic pronunciations might not be comprehensible and even embarrassing, she taught me how to pronounce the vocabulary one by one with love and care. As a language teacher, Miss Haya's passion and devotion to her students are why I continue to learn Arabic after trepidations and obstacles. Overall, We are like a family in the center, where we congregate for breakfast, live together, go on field trips together, and spend our time in Palestine together. Even though some of the experiences might be daunting (as it is normal for a human being to be despondent after witnessing and hearing some of the most melancholiac and disturbing stories from people suffering from the atrocities being inflicted by some settlers), I have learnt more about appreciation and also treating people around us with affection and respect as we would never hope something like this would ever occurring upon anyone of us, including our worst enemies.

Everything happens for a reason and thank you for being one of the reasons that motivate me to continue on my goal. Everything wouldn’t have been so great without this center, Alhamdulilah.

My experience at Engage in Palestine exceeded all expectations!! I felt instantly welcomed from the moment I arrived in Palestine. It was easy to find the centre and my way around Hebron. I felt safe at all times, even walking alone. The family breakfasts at the centre made me feel at home instantly, every morning we share delicious food and stories and experiences with other volunteers. I have learnt so much from my experience with the centre, I was able to visit NGO's, Lawyers, Refugee camps and meet Palestinian families and understand their experiences. I would recommend this programme to anyone interested in experiencing Palestine, wanting to understand the situation here and wanting to engage in Palestinian culture!

My experience in Engage in Palestine exceeded all expectations!! I instantly received a warm welcome as soon as I arrived in Palestine. It was easy to find the centre and my way around Hebron, and I always felt safe, even walking alone. The family breakfasts every morning at the centre make you feel at home straight away, sharing delicious food and stories of experiences with other volunteers. I have learnt so much from my experience here, and am very grateful for the opportunities through the centre, visiting NGO's, law firms, refugee camps, and many Palestinian families. I would recommend this programme to anyone wanting to experience Palestine, understand the situation here and engage with Palestinian culture.

Hello, My name is Pearl and I am a University student from the United States. I have spent the last 3 weeks in Hebron, West Bank with the Excellence Center and absolutely loved my experience. The level of hospitality that I have received is unmatched by any other country I have been to. The Palestinians are so friendly and eager to share their food and culture with you.
With the Excellence Center I received a week of intensive Arabic class that really helped me improve my speaking skills. After the week we transitioned into our Human Rights focus of the program where we meet with various people in the area who shared their experiences with us.
In regards to safety, as a foreigner it is quite safe for your here. within Hebron there are no issues of safety. Within the Israel you will need to pass checkpoints and see guards with large guns, but again, for foreigners it is no issue.

My name is Hayden and I am a university student from the United States. I participated in the Human rights internship program at the Excellence Center for three weeks this summer. During this time we had the opportunity to meet with many people from the West Bank. From families living in H2 under Israeli authority to the Ministry of Education I was able to learn about a vast number of perspectives and experiences. I have been studying Arabic throughout high school and university and was eager to advance my fluency during my time here. The center provided us with an intensive Arabic class our first week to refresh our knowledge and accustom us to the local dialect. The classes were super helpful with a focus on speaking and ended with individual presentations in Arabic on a topic of your choice, mine being the scarcity of water in the West Bank.

A highlight of my time in Hebron has been the people that I have met, specifically at the center. Our host family, teachers, staff members, and other volunteers have been so nice and welcoming, making sure to check in on me and how I am doing and invite me to a lot of different events. The hospitality and kindness I have received here is like no other I have ever experienced.

Throughout my time here I was able to see many cities in Palestine including Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Jericho. Traveling around the country was very easy and I never felt unsafe or in a dangerous position. Having an American passport brings one a lot of privileges in this country and allows me to never have to worry about my safety.

In the three weeks I have spent here I have learned so much about Palestinian culture and their struggle living under an occupation as well as their hope and determination. The center provides a safe, welcoming environment to get to learn about Palestine and I recommend coming here to anyone. I wish I was able to stay for longer.

being with the Excellence Center helped me a lot in many ways. with coming here, i hoped to get in touch with many palestinians, see many places and learn about the ongoing conflict. the Excellence Center made it possible for me to do all that and opened new doors. focusing on journalism, the Excellence Center introduced me to multiple journalists who could teach me about the situation and work of journalists.
within the Center i always felt comfortable. the staff as well as the other volunteers made me feel very comfortable and at home already after very few days.
to my surprise, i felt very safe. the Excellence Center made sure to minimize possible dangers and taught us about what to do and what not to do or where not to go. there are dangers of course, it is a conflict area, but the staff makes sure you don't get in trouble. i felt safe all the time.

My name is Albert Kim. I’m 39 years old. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and have lived in the New York City area since moving there at age two. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Technological Entrepreneurship & Management from Arizona State University. I’ve worked in tech, pastry arts, tutoring, and as a traveling monastic. I participated in the Volunteering with Refugees program in May of 2024.

Palestine was a life-changing experience for me in many ways. Number one, I was able to experience first-hand some semblance of what it’s like to live as a Palestinian. The plight of the Palestinian people has been dear to my heart for many years. To actually be here on the ground with the people, be immersed in the culture and in everyday life, to listen to people’s stories and struggles and to participate in these struggles myself at times was an honor and a blessing. My perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli situation has been imbued with much richness and depth.

I lived in a nicely-appointment apartment in Hebron, roughly thirty minutes walking from the Excellence Center. I regularly encountered friendly and curious locals who inquired into my origins, the reason for my stay in Hebron and so forth. The Palestinian people, in Hebron in particular, are the most welcoming and loving I’ve come across in the twenty countries I’ve traveled to. I lost count long ago of the number of complimentary coffees, teas, sweets, dinners and other gifts I received simply for my presence.

I was typically told by others to be careful when mentioning my trip to Palestine. Very sensical response especially in the current climate. However, I found myself feeling safe and secure in Palestine overall, whether in the touristy parts of Bethlehem or in the back alleys of late-night Hebron. Highlights of my travels outside of Hebron include the Wall in Bethlehem and Martyr’s Square in Nablus.

The Excellence Center is well-run by Osama and Marwa, offering numerous programs to suit the different needs and desires of prospective volunteers and students. I appreciated their flexibility in tailoring their programs for each volunteer. I found the tours and visits I participated in to be valuable. My visits to Al-Fawwar Refugee Camp stood out as particularly noteworthy. I had the most delicious Palestinian food during a visit with a refugee family there, then was guided on a tour of the camp and its history. I was also able to teach English to women and children at the girls’ school on a few occasions which I enjoyed.

Coming to the center everyday at 10am for group breakfast was a wonderful part of the daily routine. Everyone had the chance to mingle, bond, and plan their day together before going off on their individual schedules. I enjoyed swapping stories and perspectives and working and playing together with my cohort of fellow volunteers and students.
My Arabic tutor Duha was very competent and professional. I was able to hit the ground running, speaking with locals in Arabic on the day of our very first lesson together. When she asked whether I wanted the lessons to focus on the alphabet or conversation for our twelve hours, I replied “both”, and she accommodated well, providing me a foundation on which I feel confident learning on my own. I’m now able to read and write Arabic and have basic conversations.

Osama and Marwa are friendly and loving and helped make my stint with the Center a fruitful one. There’s a real family feel to the place, with friends and relatives regularly stopping in, saying hello, sharing meals. Frequently while speaking with locals around town I mentioned the Center and people were familiar.

The students I taught English to were so great. They were such enthusiastic learners, especially from someone like me! It was cool to be greeted by a student speaking Korean to me. My interactions with my students were likely my favorite part of my journey here. There’s so much life, love, joy, hope, and wonder in them. They are the future of Palestine and I believe this future will be bright. I’d like to stay in contact with them — helping them with English, maybe improving my Arabic, hearing about their lives, supporting them where I can.

I was asked if I’d return to Palestine one day. I do my best not to make promises I’m unable to keep. However, after my experience here — and especially with the children of Palestine — I can say that if I had to return to one country I’ve visited, Palestine would be near the top of my list. The hearts of the Palestinian people are open and my heart is open to them.