The Excellence Center

I wasn't sure what to expect with the Excellence Centre but I felt so welcomed as soon as I arrived. Rafat is wonderful, considerate, proudly Palestinian, treats everyone like family. I loved getting to know him and hearing about Palestine. Rafat would also make breakfast for everyone every morning, it was very homey.

Muaz was my teacher for intensive arabic, as a result I spent around 3hours a day with him for 5 days a week and became very fond of him.
He's known for being very funny, but he is also very very compassionate, and as a refugee from Syria incredibly strong. I learnt more in 2 weeks with him than I had for an entire year of studying Arabic. I can't really put into words how incredible he is at teaching, he has a gift for it, and the 3 hour classes always felt like 5 minutes. There were times where I used to sit besides the heater because it was warm and he would come sit next to me on the floor and teach me there, no questions asked. Another time where I wanted to try cooking Ful, so he came early in the morning and taught me Arabic whilst cooking with me. He would also always offer to make me tea which is really sweet. The classes are tailored around you. Everyone who works here is so lovely, and I'm going to struggle to find a teacher like Muaz again.

The classes aren't like being in school/university, they are a lot more relaxed and personal; the time goes by quick. We took a class going around Halle and meeting Muaz's friend's shop who speaks Arabic and is very funny, we also took a class whilst touring around Leipzig, which was a lot of fun. Rafat also takes everyone out to dinner the day someone is leaving, we went to a beautiful Yemeni restaurant that is hidden away and you can't find online.

I was really sad to leave the Excellence Centre, I've made so many core memories there.

At first I was hesitant to commit to the program, since I had never traveled outside of the states. After experiencing 2 weeks in Halle, I wish i had more time to stay. Everyone at the center has such kind hearts with nothing but positive intentions. Everyday I looked forward to having breakfast with the others at the center and laughing about our life experiences. I truly learned an immense amount about different cultures and myself during my two weeks at the center. If you are deciding whether or not to commit to the program, this is your sign to go to Halle and experience how amazing the Excellence Center truly is.

Volunteering with the Excellence Center in the human rights program was not only very fulfilling, but gave me a lot more insight into the human rights situation in Palestine that cannot be directly observed from a foreigner's lens. The administration is highly knowledgeable about the political and social landscape of Palestine, and were more than willing to share their knowledge with the volunteers.

Throughout my time at the center, I took shami arabic lessons every morning to improve my arabic skills. I would then practice what I learned throughout Al Khalil by communicating with the locals. After the arabic lessons, myself and other volunteers would go to significant sights such as the Ibrahimi Mosque, Musafar Yatta, Fawwar refugee camp and Al Quds.

My name is Genevieve and I'm a Physics PhD student from the United States. I came to the Excellence Center for one month to teach English and learn Arabic, but my experience encompasses so much more than that. I got to see the Old City of Hebron, witness discrimination against Palestinians by Israeli guards, and speak with people who endured physical violence perpetrated by the settlers and soldiers. The Excellence Center helped arrange for me to visit Ibrahimi Mosque, the glass factory, and the kuffiyeh factory. I also got to visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Masafer Yatta.

Everyone at the center was so warm and welcoming. We were served breakfast every day and often also enjoyed dinner with our hosts. Even the students I taught were welcoming. They sometimes gave me chocolates and were always so engaged and excited to learn. The apartment I lived in was comfortable and very close to the center. I never felt scared, even when walking alone at night as a woman. The locals always seem happy to chat with foreigners and give directions or recommendations. The local cuisine is also amazing and I'm excited to try making some of the new foods I tried here, like maqluba and sahlab.

One of the most valuable parts of my experience here was getting to see the settler areas in Hebron and Masafer Yatta. Seeing the stark differences in infrastructure and quality of life between the Palestinian and settler areas was eye opening. Even though I'm sad to leave, I'm excited to be able to use my experience to educate others about what is actually happening in the West Bank.

Since I'm from the luscious green pacific northwest in the US, I'm also very happy that I got to experience the natural landscape in Palestine. One of my students was kind enough to take me hiking and exploring a cave. I'm grateful that I got to have such a well rounded experience by meeting people of all ages, including students, working adults, journalists, and local human rights activists, hearing first-hand accounts of settler violence, and seeing different parts of the city including some nature.

I will always remember the kind people I met here and their experiences with the occupation. My Arabic teacher Haya was extremely patient with me. I learned more Arabic from her in one month than i did in three months in America. My hosts Osama and Marwa were always kind and inviting despite having their hands full with four beautiful children. Even before I left, I was already trying to plan my next trip to visit Palestine again. The Excellence Center truly provides a unique life-changing experience and I'm so thankful to everyone I met here who welcomed me with open arms and helped me understand the local situation. I can't wait to come back and in the meantime I hope I can use my experience to support the Palestinian cause.

I spent a really beautiful one month here studying Arabic under the wings of Rafat, Dusan and Muaz who will treat you like family from the minute you arrive. I took the Intensive Course with Muaz, who really cares about your progress, is extremely knowledge about Arabic and knows how to transmit his knowledge, grow your capabilites and make you LOVE Arabic. He, along with Rafat and Dusan, do all in their power to make you feel welcome and in the best environment for learning. Take the jump and come!