I decided to travel to Palestine to become involved with community activities and learn about Palestinian culture first hand. It was an overwhelming experience to witness the struggle and beauty of the Palestinian people. Despite the occupation these people continue to stand strong in their spirt and heart. We visited many people who shared their story and how they continue to overcome the many obstacles that most people take for granted. Articulating this experience is extremely difficult. The Palestinian experience is an experience you will never forget. My life has been forever changed and I hope one day to return.

The Excellence Center provided me with a safe environment, advice, laughter and joy of which I will neve forget. I encourage anyone thinking of coming to Palestine to visit the Excellence Center where you will be welcomed like family. I have made many friends in Palestine, local and abroad who will remain in my heart forever.

Thank you to the Excellence Center for all your hard work and generosity and allowing me to experience Palestine in all its beauty. May god bless us all.

I had such a great time spending a month with the Excellence Center! Having just graduated from university, I came to volunteer for the Human Rights internship which has been really enriching. I have met so many people working in the field from Palestine, but also lawyers abroad. I got to work on small HR projects, visit refugee camps and have gotten very in touch with overall the situation in Palestine.

I was originally a bit nervous about coming here considering the current tensions but have had such an amazing experience. Everyone in town is so welcoming and the city of Hebron is wonderful and extremely safe. Marwa and Osama have also been so great at making me feel welcome and at home. I've had such a interesting and comfortable time, I truly recommend it!

Coming from Australia in this political climate was a big decision for me but I can safely say that this was the best experience i have ever had in m life. I have made life long friends and gotten everything i hoped for and more out of the program. Hebron feels like a second home for me and the people here are the absolute best, the staff locals and everyone I will never forget. As a law student and aspiring international lawyer i thought it was most important to learn about the places and people that laws effect before I try legislate upon them, this program assisted me in learning about an unbiased review of what the situation is like here and how people like myself can actually assist these amazing people. I hope to be back soon and I will miss this place and the people very very much.

This was a really lovely opportunity to get a foot into the community with a supportive organization in order to branch out and learn more about the community. The Arabic classes were super helpful and informative. There were opportunities to talk to local community members to get a better understanding of the social-political situation from a local and global perspective.

In terms of safety, Israeli soldiers walk through the city sometimes. On Saturdays, the settlers walk through the Old City and the IDF will clear the streets during that time. It is best not to aggravate the soldiers as this can make things more difficult for those who live in the area in case retaliation occurs.

I had the opportunity to work in a very meaningful setting with a lot of really great people. Aid work like this is set to be my career so learning in this way is very important. Learning Arabic in Hebron and being imbedded into Palestine builds character and a resume. Palestine as it is now is one of the most extreme examples of political violence today and its because of that, that working with the Excellence Center is one of the best ways to learn about state violence and related ideas firsthand. The Excellence center offers so many avenues to work directly with Palestinians in Hebron as well as in some of the most disenfranchised communities around it.

I spent 1 week with the Excellence Center as part of their Human Rights program. I had some idea of what to expect before coming here, but had never been to the region before, so still had many questions. During my time in Hebron, the staff at the Excellence Center were incredibly welcoming, helpful, and provided me with an experience I will never forget. Throughout the week, I had the chance to study Arabic, engage with the local community, and volunteer as a protective presence for villagers in the Masafar Yatta region, all while gaining a better understanding of the situation in the West Bank. I had the opportunity to experience Palestinian culture and truly felt welcomed by the local community. I always felt safe and would recommend this program to anyone considering it!

I visited The Excellence Centre in Hebron for two weeks on the Human Rights program. Although my two weeks flew by, I was lucky enough to experience so much in such a short time.

Not only was it my first time in Palestine, but it was also my first time in an Arab country, therefore the cultural difference was initially a worry for me, however, I quickly learned that the locals are very welcoming of internationals, and I felt so looked after throughout my time in Hebron, both in and out of the center. The culture and environment are something I have found so heartwarming, something I would recommend everyone experience at least once if they can.

I arrived in Hebron not knowing how to even say hello, not only I can say hello, I can now greet people in different ways, ask people how they are, where they are from, and so on. I have learned more than I thought I would in such little time. I hope to develop this for my return visit of course!
I have visited many places, every day the center would organize visits for us to see different things, such as the Ibrahim Mosque, the Old Town of Hebron, glass factories, the original Kufiyya factory, the al Fawwar camp and we even got to stay the night at a village in the Masafer Yatta community. A very eye-opening experience to say the least.

One of the questions I had before my visit, was wondering if I would feel safe. As a young woman, I can now say there has not been one moment I did not feel safe, even walking at night. The locals are extremely friendly, they love to make conversation as they love a chance to practice their English. The Palestinians are honestly the most wonderful people I have ever had the chance to meet. I have made many friends that I hope to keep in touch with, and the people are a huge highlight of my visit overall.

My host family, Marwa, and Osama. I cannot thank them enough for their outstanding hospitality, they look after their volunteers so well. Before Ramadan started we would have breakfast together every day, prepared by the lovely Marwa. Now with Ramadan, she cooks the most delicious food for Iftar that we all have together. The apartment was very comfortable and in the perfect location near the center.

I loved my stay and very much hope to experience this again in the near future, to extend my Arabic and engage more in the amazing Palestine! Inshallah!

Marhaba! My name is Sierra, and I am 24 years old. I am from Alberta, Canada. I have a degree in Psychology from King’s University, and I spent two weeks participating in the Human Rights Internship program here at the Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine.

I chose to intern in Palestine because I was very interested in the complex regional history and its impact on mental health outcomes and communal well-being. Having studied the effects of trauma and having travelled to regions experiencing conflict in the past, I have a keen interest in visiting places where resilience, hope, and empathy flourish amidst adversity. Palestine, with its ongoing challenges and rich culture, presented an amazing opportunity to contribute positively to meaningful change and gain invaluable life experiences that have transformed my understanding of the world. I specifically chose to intern with the Excellence Center because of its stellar reputation for providing international visitors with an authentic experience of Palestinian life. The Human Rights internship seemed like a good opportunity to gain hands-on experience in humanitarian aid, diplomacy, and international law.

My experience in Palestine has been extremely positive. I have been so touched by how genuinely friendly and welcoming everyone in Hebron has been during my stay. The staff at the Excellence Center were so welcoming to me and made sure I felt as comfortable as possible. The Hebron locals have also gone above and beyond to make me feel as welcomed, respected, and happy as possible. I have made friends at every coffee shop, shawarma place, and grocery store that I’ve been to. I want to give a special shout to Sara’s Cafe, kiddy corner to the Excellence Center, and all the lovely baristas there that have given me a lot of laughs and lattes.

During my time at the Excellence Center, I learned about Palestinian culture, visited various historical sites, interacted with various journalists and human rights advocates, spoke with local people about their lives under the occupation, visited Palestinians living in refugee camps, and taught English to locals, and enjoyed several lovely evenings by the fire, singing, eating, and smoking shisha. I also took Arabic lessons with my lovely teacher Jomana, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I even managed to have some very basic conversations with locals!

I understand why one might have reservations about travelling to Palestine during this challenging time. However, I felt entirely safe and comfortable during my stay. Hebron is just as safe—if not safer—than most major cities, and one should not have any issues if one takes normal safety precautions and follows the guidance of locals who know the situation here well.

Regarding my accommodation, I shared a modest apartment with my other female colleagues close to the center, equipped with a kitchen, nice bathrooms, a balcony, and comfortable beds. If you are coming in the winter, it does get cold, and I highly recommend bringing warm clothes! There are also plenty of lively cafes and shops that make it an enjoyable and pleasant area to reside.

I know I will be returning to the center in the future and highly encourage anyone who is curious about experiencing Palestine to join the Excellence Center family. I will cherish these memories forever. Shukran and beshufko, inshallah