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The Excellence Center

Why choose The Excellence Center?

The Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine, established in June 2011, provides intensive Arabic Levantine/Palestinian programs, online Arabic lessons, and educational, cultural, social, and community development services to international students, interns, and volunteers, as well as to Palestinian children, refugees, women, and youth in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine.

The center's ongoing success inspired expansion to Germany, specifically in Halle, where since 2018, it has offered educational and community development programs for both locals and internationals. Both Centers have significantly impacted refugees, children, migrants, and local communities, as well as the diverse internationals who participate.

The Excellence Center firmly believes in the vital role education and cultural exchange play in Palestinian and German communities. It remains dedicated to creating and enhancing volunteer, internship, and community development programs to further this mission.

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.

Reviews

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Anna Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A wonderful experience

I did the Media and Journalism program and I had a great time. Everyone at The Excellence Center is super welcoming, nice, fun, and available. Rafat is supportive and helpful, and he really made me feel part of a family. Muaz and Ali are amazing teachers and people. I learned so much during my time here, I met such a wide array of people from all around the world, began learning Arabic, and overall grew so much. I am so thankful I was able to have this opportunity and meet all these wonderful people. I really recommend coming to The Excellence Center, it was so formative and fun.

Pros
  • Inclusive and fun
  • Welcoming people
  • Learned a lot
Cons
  • None, just having to leave :(
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Lillemor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lillemors review

I honestly didn’t expect to love this program as much as I did! What started as just something new to try turned into one of the most exciting, meaningful, and happiest experiences of my life. I’ve never felt more included, welcomed, and comfortable in a new place. Helping teach English and connecting with refugees made me feel so proud to be part of something with such a real impact. Rafat, the founder, is absolutely amazing—his energy, kindness, and passion for creating a space where everyone feels valued made the whole experience even better. I’m beyond grateful for the memories, friendships, and confidence this program gave me!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing for me was how laid back and calm the whole experience was. I didn’t anticipate that at all! The atmosphere during the classes and teaching was extremely low-pressure, which made it so much easier to relax and enjoy. I had never taught before, so I was a little nervous at first, but the way the schedule and lessons were structured made everything feel fun and manageable. I really appreciated the flexibility and how the focus was more on connection and communication rather than strict lessons. It took away a lot of stress and made the whole experience so enjoyable for me.
Pros
  • Super inclusive and welcoming
  • Extremely easy going and laidback
  • You get to interact with many people from different backgrounds
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Ruby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A happy, healthy, and safe environment :)

I feel so blessed to have been part of this program. Everyone here is so nice and welcoming and I immediately felt connections when I first came. Rafat, Muaz, and Ali are always here to help if you need it and want everyone to feel included. I learned German with Muaz and he was always patient with me and I love his belief that mistakes are part of the learning process. I also had the pleasure to teach some refugees English. I also made many everlasting friends. I highly recommend this program!

What was your funniest moment?
Struggling to open the doors with the keys.
Pros
  • Lots of time to explore
  • Low-stress environment
  • Kind people!
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Julianne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Great Experience

Volunteering at the Excellence Center was such a great experience. I’d never taught English before and was a little bit nervous but I really enjoyed it! It was rewarding figuring out my own teaching style and my students were great.

I also studied German at the Center. I arrived at an intermediate level but didn’t feel super confident using the language in real life. The classes were small, fun, interactive and really practical, led by a great teacher. Now I feel comfortable speaking German in everyday situations.

The vast majority of volunteers come by themselves, which means it’s super easy to make friends. Everyone is really welcoming and you will feel part of the team from Day 1.

Overall, a fun and fulfilling experience—would totally recommend it!

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Rudy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering with the Excellence Center in Hebron

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.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Sheep liver soup in Um Al Khair Masaffer Yatta. Was suprisingly delicious alongside many other foods that I ate in Palestine.
Pros
  • Lovely Hospitality and community
  • Amazing food
  • Wonderful Staff
Cons
  • Difficulties at the Border
  • Weather
  • Children on the street

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Simon Greenwood

Simon is a 41-year-old English tutor currently living in Hebron, Palestine. He graduated from the University of Washington in 2009. After working for different tutoring programs in the US he decided to try volunteering abroad to experience more of the world.
Simon Greenwood

Why did you choose this program?

When I saw the situation in Palestine I knew I needed to do something to help. The volunteer organizations in the US weren't really for me, but I had the time and the means to go help in person. I looked up volunteer opportunities and the Excellence Center had the best reputation. I found out its reputation is well-deserved!

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The Excellence Center helped me with everything I needed. They gave me a flat, free breakfast, volunteer work, Arabic lessons, and guidance for anything else I asked about, including finding more work with other organizations.

All I organized on my own was getting other meals and traveling around Palestine independently.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

If you're coming to Palestine you need to be aware of the political situation. It sounds obvious, but one would-be volunteer had her visa denied because of her radicalism on social media. Don't do that. You're here to help - maybe by teaching kids English, or advocating for women's rights, or volunteering at a hospital. Don't get carried away.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Your daily activities change as you spend more time in the program, but for a beginner: Eat breakfast with other volunteers at 10 AM, and study Arabic from 11 to 12 or 1. Then, go on a trip to somewhere in or near Hebron to learn about life in Palestine and experience the culture, do volunteer activities, and spend the evening studying and hanging out with other volunteers.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear when I came to Palestine was that I'd be a victim of the current situation - hurt or worse, by one side or the other. Talking to the other volunteers before I came eased my anxiety. After spending time here I feel my fears were unfounded. It's clear what places and situations are dangerous and as foreigners, we're free to avoid them.

You can volunteer in Palestine without having specific views about the situation. You don't have to have an opinion about Zionism, or the Nakba, or the war in Gaza, or anything else. If you see people suffering and you want to help then you'll be welcomed here. You'll be making the world a better place while experiencing a unique culture and learning a complicated, tragic history first-hand.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Ibrahim Zahda

Job Title
English Teacher
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Many people who come to the Excellence Center with the goal of volunteering to teach English are curious about the teachers.

We thought it would be a good idea to sit down with one of the English teachers at the Excellence Center and ask him a little bit about himself, in order to give those thinking about studying at the Excellence Center a chance to learn a little bit more about the teachers they will encounter and work with in Hebron.

Meet Ibrahim Zahda, who started teaching at the Excellence Center as an English teacher 3 years ago.

What’s your daily routine like?

I split my time between the Excellence Center and a local public school. I’m an English teacher at both locations. Once I finish at the public school, then I head over to the Excellence Center.

How do you like working with Palestinian students?

I really like working with them. These kids have something to tell the world. I want to give them the tools they need to deliver our message to the world. That message is simply that we are here and we believe in nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation.

How about foreign volunteers?

They help me a lot as teaching assistants. The help they provide basically falls under several levels. First, they empower the idea of volunteering to the students. Second, they help the students with their pronunciation and expose them to the way English is spoken by native speakers.

The cultural aspect of their presence is also important. Volunteers come from all over the world and bring new ideas and concepts to us. It helps the students learn about the ways other people think about problems and give them new perspectives with which to face their challenges. It’s not just the students, teachers also learn in this way from the volunteers.

What’s it like working with Marwa, Khitam, and the other staff members?

The working relationships at the Excellence Center are really great, everyone is kind and everyone is eager to help each other out. The people I work with feel more like family than coworkers.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

You'll mostly find me playing football and computer games, I’m actually addicted to computer games (laughter).

What do you wish foreign volunteers knew before coming to Hebron?

I think the administration has provided a lot of good information for future and potential volunteers on their website. I would urge them (the volunteers) to learn about the center and its mission.

Most of the volunteers I’ve worked with have had a good idea of that part. Learning about the Palestinian culture beforehand would also be helpful.

What do you think are the biggest challenges for Palestinians trying to learn English?

There is this stereotype that English is an impossible language to learn. That really puts the students at a disadvantage so I try to break that stereotype and tell them that English is just like any other language. It is fun and can be learned.

Another challenge is that public schools in Palestine tend to focus on traditional teaching methods. In fact, newer methods which teach English in a practical way are needed. This is what the center is for, it emphasizes the students' speaking and listening abilities so that they can use English in the real world.