Location
  • Palestine
Length
1 to 13 weeks
General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Compensation
Unpaid
Timeframe
Academic Year Fall J-Term Maymester Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
Arabic
Weekly Hours
30
Age Min.
18
Age Max
75

Pricing

Starting Price
1250
Price Details
Excellence Center charges a fee of 1250$ per month. The program fees include pre-departure support, accommodation, some meals, full coordination while interning in Palestine, some visits to different sites in the city of Hebron.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Nov 25, 2024
May 27, 2025
45 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Internship in Palestine Program offers internationals a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture, daily life, and the pressing human rights issues facing the region. Interns will gain a deep understanding of the Palestinian legal system, refugee situations, and the political landscape in Hebron, West Bank. This enriching experience is part of the Excellence Center's community development program, which emphasizes cultural exchange, social justice, and human rights advocacy.

Through the program, interns will engage with local organizations working on human rights issues, including legal aid for refugees, women’s rights initiatives, and efforts to improve the overall legal and political situation in Palestine. The Center organizes visits to key institutions such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), governmental organizations, courts, and Palestinian refugee camps, providing participants with a firsthand view of the challenges Palestinians face.

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

With all our Arabic courses and volunteer programs, we aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Our programs and courses foster shared learning, for both our community and you. During your Arabic course, you will get to learn so much more than just the language. You will also get to learn a lot about Palestinian culture and customs and the political situation in Palestine. Additionally, you will have many opportunities while outside the classroom to practice your Arabic in a natural and authentic way while navigating your new life in Hebron. Your time with us in Hebron will also provide you with many opportunities of cultural exchange and mutual learning, both with local Palestinians as well as with our other international participants.

Program Highlights

  • Studying Arabic in Palestine (Modern Standard Arabic, MSA) or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
  • Learning more and engaging in Palestinian culture and politics
  • Assisting the cause of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank
  • Leading community activities in the city of Hebron
  • Providing educational support for Palestinian children

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Program Reviews

4.79 Rating
based on 146 reviews
  • 5 rating 79.45%
  • 4 rating 20.55%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.7
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 49 - 56 of 146 reviews
Default avatar
Chynna
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

I had a really nice experience and met so many lovely people during my time here. The Human Rights program was very interesting. Some visits were more related to human rights than others, but still you will definitely get an idea of human rights situation in Palestine and all the violations. The advice I would give to people doing this program is: know what you want to do during your time here and what you want to learn from your program. Take initiative and tell the Center if you want to do something specific. I loved giving human rights workshops to Palestinian youth and also I would recommend getting in touch and working together with the Human Rights Defenders Association.

Pros
  • The people I met at the center
  • Staying with a host family
  • Experience Palestinian culture
Cons
  • Sometimes a little chaotic and very spontaneous
  • Some activities are less related to your program
59 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Chynna,

I'm thrilled to hear that you had a positive and enriching experience during your time in Hebron, Palestine, connecting with wonderful individuals and engaging in the Human Rights program. It's great to know that the program provided you with an interesting and comprehensive insight into the human rights situation in Palestine, even if some visits were more closely related to human rights than others.

It's fantastic that you had the opportunity to give human rights workshops to Palestinian youth. This undoubtedly left a positive mark on both you and the community you engaged with.

Thank you for sharing your thoughtful advice and reflections on your time at the Center. Your review not only provides insight into the Human Rights program but also serves as a source of inspiration for future participants. I hope your experiences continue to resonate with you and guide your future endeavors.

Greetings from Palestine!

Default avatar
Jane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Unforgettable Experience in Hebron with the Excellence Center

Both the family and the center were more hospitable than I would have ever thought. The family was incredible, and the living situation itself was average. The excursions were informative and helpful for my understanding of the situation in palestine, and Hebron is very safe- I had no worries travelling in and out of the city. I felt my time was too short- I worked with a lawyer as I am in the law program, and it was wonderful to learn about sharia law. I would absolutely reccomend the law program.

Pros
  • Learn arabic
  • Free Breakfast everyday
  • Experience Palestinian culture
Cons
  • Security and border control at the airport
  • Distance from host family to the center
64 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Jane,

I'm thrilled to hear about your rewarding experience with both the family and the center during your time in Hebron. It's heartening to know that the hospitality exceeded your expectations, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for you.

Your assurance about the safety of Hebron is reassuring for those considering travel to the area. It's wonderful that you felt secure while exploring the city and its surroundings. Your engagement with the law program, particularly working with a lawyer and learning about sharia law, clearly left a positive impact. It's evident that this experience resonated with your academic pursuits and added a meaningful layer to your journey.

Your recommendation of the law program speaks volumes about the quality of the experience you had. Your review provides valuable insights for others who may be interested in similar opportunities.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I hope your time in Hebron continues to inspire and influence your academic and personal growth.

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Bart
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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62 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Bart,

Thank you for sharing your insightful and heartfelt review of your time at the Excellence Center in Palestine. We are delighted to hear about your experiences during your Human Rights Internship and how the program left a lasting impact on your academic and personal journey.

We're thrilled that the Excellence Center's commitment to Arabic language instruction was evident in your significant improvement in Levantine Arabic. Saja's dedicated teaching approach, coupled with the small class size, truly enriched your learning experience.

Your description of the organized excursions and visits to Palestinian refugee camps highlights the power of immersive experiences in gaining a firsthand understanding of the challenges and resilience of the Palestinian people. Interactions with Palestinian residents and human rights activists, along with insights from a seasoned Palestinian lawyer, deepened your appreciation of the complexities surrounding human rights in the context of the West Bank, Palestine.

Thank you again for entrusting us with your internship experience in Palestine. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and we hope that the memories and insights you've gained from your time with us will continue to inspire you.

Warm regards,

Default avatar
Siw
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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60 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Siw,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed and insightful review of your experience at the Excellence Center and your time in Palestine. It's truly heartening to hear about the positive and enriching journey you had during your stay.

Your dedication to learning and your appreciation for the Arabic lessons is evident. It's wonderful to hear how the introductory phrases and alphabet lessons proved to be incredibly helpful during your time in Palestine. The fact that your host family actively supported your language learning efforts speaks volumes about their warmth and hospitality.

Your engagement with Palestinian culture through various activities, including the family members' graduation party, is a testament to the genuine connections you formed with the local community. It's apparent that you embraced every opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the surroundings, from visits to different sites like Masafer Yatta and refugee camps, to your explorations of Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.

We are genuinely grateful for your kind recommendation of the Excellence Center to others. Your words will undoubtedly inspire and encourage future students to embark on similar journeys of cultural exchange and personal growth.

Once again, thank you for your thoughtful review. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that the memories and lessons from your time at the Excellence Center and in Palestine will continue to enrich your life.

Warm regards,

Default avatar
Virginia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights & Refugee Program

My name is Virginia and I am from the United States. I have a Bachelor's in International Studies with an emphasis on the Middle East and Africa. I am finishing a Master's in Conflict Anaylsis and Resolution and have wanted to come here for many years. I have has an amazing experience here in Palestine. I have gotten to meet so many people and hear various experiences, which has provided more insight on the situation. I have felt so welcomed and safe here The Staff at the center was incredible helpful and I am already planning my next trip. Over all it has been an incredible experience . I would love to come back again.

Pros
  • Learning more about peoples experiences with the conflict
  • The incredibly friendly Palestinian people
  • The culture and food
Cons
  • Transportation can be confusing
62 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Dear Virginia,

Your journey to Palestine, along with your background in International Studies and Conflict Analysis and Resolution, is truly impressive. Your strong desire to explore this region has led to an amazing experience that has helped you see things from a broader perspective.

Feeling welcomed and safe shows that the Excellence Center in Palestine has created a friendly and secure environment. The fact that the staff's exceptional helpfulness left such a positive impression indicates how much they care about making sure people like you have a meaningful and enjoyable time.

Thank you very much for recommending the Excellence Center to others and for sharing your thoughts with us.

Warm regards,

Default avatar
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights/Refugee Program Review

My name is Ashley, I have a Masters in International Relations and Middles Eastern Studies. I participated in the Human Rights program at the Excellence Center in Hebron and I thought the program provided me with an amazing and indepth experience. During my time with the center I was able to visit the surrounding Refugee Camps and meet the residence. I got to hear first hand the challanges that they face on a day to day basis. I also was fortunate enought to take in person Arabic courses through the center, the methods that they use to teacher were very successful and after just one week I was able to have basic conversations with the people I met in the city. Most importantly I was afforded the opprotunity to meet and bond with some of the most hospitable and resilent people I have ever met. The Staff at the center was incredible helpful and I am already planning my next trip. Over all it has been an incredible experience.

Pros
  • Learn effective Arabic Skills
  • Meet incredible people
  • Explored a historical city
Cons
  • Very hot but tolerable
52 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Ashley,

Your journey with the Excellence Center in Hebron sounds truly remarkable. With your background in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies, the Human Rights program must have provided an enriching and profound experience. Immersing yourself in the surrounding Refugee Camps allowed you to gain an intimate understanding of the challenges faced by the residents, offering you a unique perspective that goes beyond academic knowledge.

It's impressive how the center's Arabic courses made such a swift impact on your language skills, enabling you to engage in basic conversations within just a week. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of their teaching methods. The personal connections you formed and the resilience you witnessed in the people you met further enriched your experience, fostering deep bonds that are a testament to their remarkable hospitality.

Your appreciation for the helpfulness of the staff and your eagerness to plan your next trip showcase the lasting impact of your time at the Excellence Center. Your review encapsulates the essence of your incredible journey, highlighting the invaluable insights, connections, and personal growth that have come from this experience. Thank you so much for sharing it

Greetings from Palestine

Default avatar
juanita
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Women Rights

The frist thing i will like to share is that love eally make us see different, feel different, and grow different. During my time in Hebron with th Excellence Center I found love in so many ways... Every member of the staff support me in every moment, my host familly made me feel like in my home and I want to highlight the resilience that I noticed from every palestinian i met. It was a experience that changed my live.

I love my arabic lessons, the teachers and all the staff were very helpful and encoraged me to keep learning all the time.

Pros
  • Learn from other cultures, you hared with people from different countries
  • Faced the reality of a world that is not fair, that is unequal and learn about our privileged
  • You are able to be in a context that is very transformative
Cons
  • I think i stayed very less time, would want to have more time
51 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Juanita,

I'm thrilled to hear about your transformative experience in Hebron with the Excellence Center in Palestine. Your description of the supportive staff, welcoming host family, and the resilience of the Palestinian people highlights the deep connections you formed during your time there.

It's heartening to know that your Arabic lessons were such a positive aspect of your journey. The encouragement from dedicated teachers and staff played a crucial role in keeping your passion for learning alive. This immersion must have contributed significantly to your language skills and cultural understanding.

Your review beautifully captures the profound impact of your time at the Excellence Center, emphasizing personal growth and cultural exchange. Thank you very much for sharing it

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Veronica
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Women's Rights Program Review

I spent three weeks at the Excellent Center in Hebron, Palestine, and i took part in the Women's Right program. In the first week, I attended several arabic classes for beginner: my teacher was welcoming and patient, and helped me to learn basic conversation tools that were useful for the entire project. In the following two weeks, I met several people and organizations who deal with human and women's right in Palestine, and I also had the occasion to organize a few workshop about women's right and gender-based violence for adolescents, together with other volunteers.
With respect to security and safety issue, I think it is important to share that in Hebron and in Palestine overall I totally felt safe, even when travelling alone as a solo woman.
I learnt a lot and would recommend the experience!

52 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Veronica,

I'm delighted to hear about your enriching experience at the Excellent Center in Hebron, Palestine, where you participated in the Women's Rights program. Your engagement in Arabic classes, workshops, and interactions with local organizations highlights the program's impact.

Your assurance of safety and personal growth is reassuring, and your recommendation speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey!

Greetings from Palestine

Questions & Answers