Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Program Reviews

Barbara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

The internship at Go Palestine was truly a great experience. I learned a lot about the human rights situation in Palestine through the many conversations I had with students in my English conversation classes, but also through conversations with local activists and lawyers. The field visits to e.g. refugee camps and the city tours also contributed to gaining a full picture of the situation and now I'm leaving even speaking a few words in Arabic :). I appreciate the support of everybody at Go Palestine to make my experience such a memorable one!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The Go Palestine team cooked several meals that I was unfamiliar with, such as koshari and kousa. It was all very good!
Pros
  • The English conversation classes actually thought me a lot about the culture and religion in Palestine
  • Field visits give a fair representation of the political/human rights situation.
  • Great Arabic teacher!
Cons
  • N/A
Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

From Zero to Loving Arabic

I joined the Intensive Arabic course in Hebron without knowing a single word of Arabic. Honestly, I was nervous before coming because the language looked difficult and completely new to me. But from the first week everything felt easier than I expected, mainly because of my teacher, Ms. Dalia.

Ms. Dalia is one of the kindest and most patient teachers I’ve ever met. She understood that I was starting from zero and she never made me feel embarrassed when I made mistakes (which happened a lot at the beginning!). She explained things slowly, repeated them as many times as I needed, and always encouraged me to try speaking even when I wasn’t confident.

One moment really stayed with me. I remember sitting in class trying to read Arabic letters that looked impossible to me just days before. Suddenly I was able to read a full sentence on my own. It sounds small, but for me it was huge. That was the moment I realized Arabic isn’t scary, it’s actually a really cool and beautiful language. After that, I became excited every day to learn more instead of feeling stressed.

What helped a lot was also being surrounded by Arabic outside the classroom. People in Hebron were very supportive and happy to help me practice simple words. Step by step, I felt real progress.

I’m really grateful for this experience. Starting from scratch and reaching a level where I can read, understand, and communicate basic Arabic in just a short time felt amazing. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants a serious but very warm and supportive Arabic learning experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I made a local friend "Aseel" in the first week just by trying to speak Arabic with her. It felt amazing to connect with her so quickly through language.
Pros
  • Amazing teacher
  • Friendly people in Hebron
  • Palestine is SAFE
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your Intensive Arabic course in Hebron was such a positive journey. It’s wonderful that Ms. Dalia’s patience and encouragement helped you gain confidence so quickly. We love hearing about moments like reading your first full sentence, that’s such an exciting achievement! We’re also glad the community in Hebron made practicing Arabic fun and supportive. Your progress is inspiring, and we’re happy you recommend the program. We hope your love for Arabic keeps growing!

Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Human Rights Journey in Palestine

I joined the Human Rights Internship with Go Palestine for three weeks, and it was an eye-opening and meaningful experience. During the internship, I met several local human rights activists, especially Mr. Ahmad, who was very informative and open. He took the time to explain the human rights situation in Palestine in a way that felt real and grounded in everyday life, not just theory.

Besides the field visits, I also had English conversational classes with Palestinians, which were one of the highlights for me. These sessions felt more like real conversations than classes and allowed for genuine exchange, shared stories, and different perspectives. I also had Arabic lessons with my wonderful teacher, Dalia. She was patient, encouraging, and made learning Arabic enjoyable, even when it was challenging. These lessons helped me connect more deeply with the people and the culture.

Overall, this experience helped me understand the human rights situation in Palestine on a much deeper level. It was not just educational, but personal. I would strongly recommend this internship to anyone who wants to learn, listen, and engage directly with the local community.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future participants is to really throw yourself into the experience and be open to everything it offers. Talk to the local activists, like Mr. Ahmad and the others, I learned so much just by listening to him explain the human rights situation in Palestine in a way that felt real, not just theoretical.

Don’t worry about making mistakes in Arabic or English, the language classes were some of my favorite moments. They felt like real conversations, not lessons, and helped me connect with people in a meaningful way.

Most importantly, be curious and open minded, and take the time to really listen to people’s stories. This internship isn’t just about learning from a distance, it’s about experiencing life and culture alongside the local community. If you go in with an open heart, it will be eye opening and unforgettable.
Pros
  • Experience daily life
  • Talk with locals
  • Meet local activists
Cons
  • Constant reminders of the occupation
  • Some emotional moments
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that your Human Rights Internship with Go Palestine was meaningful and eye opening. It’s wonderful that Mr. Ahmad and your other connections helped you understand the situation in a real and personal way. We’re also glad that your English and Arabic lessons added to the experience and helped you connect with the community. Your reflections are inspiring, and we’re happy you recommend this internship to others who want to learn and engage deeply with Palestine.

Lara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Time of My Life in Palestine

Volunteering in the West Bank and teaching English was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. The focus on conversational English made the classes feel natural and alive. We talked about daily life, culture, traditions, and personal experiences, which helped students feel more relaxed and less afraid of speaking English.

At the beginning, many students were shy, but little by little their confidence grew. They started speaking more freely, laughing, and sharing their opinions without worrying too much about mistakes. One moment I will never forget was when we were practicing everyday conversations and a student confidently said, “Yesterday I cooked my phone instead of my food.” The whole class burst into laughter, including the student, and it turned into a great lesson about mistakes being part of learning.

What stayed with me the most was the genuine connection with the people. Sharing stories, jokes, and small moments during class created a strong sense of trust and mutual understanding. This experience was not just about teaching English, it was about learning from each other and growing together. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to do something meaningful, connect on a human level, and truly understand daily life in the West Bank.

What was your funniest moment?
One moment I will never forget was when we were practicing everyday conversations and a student confidently said, “Yesterday I cooked my phone instead of my food".
Pros
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Fun Classes
  • Friendly and strong people
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that volunteering and teaching English in the West Bank was such a meaningful journey for you. It’s wonderful that your students grew in confidence and that you could share laughter and learning together, moments like “cooking your phone” really show the joy of learning! We’re glad you were able to connect with the community on such a personal level. Your story beautifully captures the spirit of mutual learning and understanding, and we appreciate you recommending this experience to others.

Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Rewarding Volunteer Experience in Palestine

Volunteering with Go Palestine was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I spent my time helping teach and support refugee children at Al Aroup Camp, and it was incredibly rewarding to see them happy, engaged, and learning new things every day. The staff and team were very supportive, friendly, and made me feel safe throughout my stay. I also had the chance to learn so much about Palestinian culture, history, and daily life, while meeting many wonderful and inspiring people. This program truly gives you a meaningful experience and a deeper understanding of life in Palestine. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to make a positive impact and explore the Palestinian culture.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw was the resilience and positivity of the refugee children. Despite their difficult circumstances, they were always smiling, eager to learn, and full of energy. It really opened my eyes and inspired me.
Pros
  • Friendly and supportive staff
  • Cultural experience
  • Meaningful volunteer work
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that volunteering at Al Aroup Camp was rewarding and meaningful for you. It’s wonderful that you could support the children and see them happy while learning new things. We’re glad our team made you feel safe and welcome, and that you enjoyed connecting with the culture, history, and people of Palestine. Your recommendation means a lot, and we hope many others will have the same inspiring experience!

John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The volunteer experience that rewired my heart

I volunteered with Go Palestine for a month, teaching conversational English twice a week at a community center in a refugee camp. My main work was to get the kids and teenagers talking. We played games, practiced simple conversations, and sang songs. The goal was to build their confidence to speak. It was challenging but so rewarding. Seeing a shy student finally say a full sentence with a smile was the best feeling.

Teaching just twice a week was perfect. It gave me time to prepare good lessons and also to visit families, explore with the center's staff, and really understand the community. The people in the camp were incredibly strong and generous. They taught me about their culture and daily life. This wasn't just volunteering; it was a real human exchange. If you want to make a direct, personal impact and learn more than you ever could from a book, do this program. You won't forget it!!!

What was your funniest moment?
One day we tried singing an English song together. I thought it would be calm and easy, instead it turned into a loud concert with different lyrics, random clapping, and everyone singing at a completely different speed. It was total chaos, but also one of the happiest moments of the month.
Pros
  • You have time to truly connect
  • It’s a real cultural exchange
  • The food is incredibly delicious
Cons
  • Occupation
  • I wish I could have stayed longer.
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that teaching conversational English in the refugee camp was both meaningful and rewarding for you. It’s wonderful that you could help students gain confidence and enjoy learning while also connecting with the community on a deeper level. Your story really shows the spirit of human exchange, and we’re so happy you had such a memorable experience. Thank you for recommending the program, we hope it inspires others to join as well!

Isabella
3/5
No, I don't recommend this program

My Time in Palestine

I came to Palestine to volunteer one month. I did the teach English to refugees program. However, my schedule was a mix of city tours, going to the local university, have English conversation classes with local at the centre and I only got to go to the refugee camp 3 times. I did not get to teach, we only got tours of the schools and camps. Which was a disappointment in that aspect, as I expressed and indicated I wanted to teach in camps. Other than, I had a positive experience and met amazing people.

What would you improve about this program?
This program needs more organization, transparency and communication amongst staff. Communicate to the volunteers the expectations corresponding to their program. Also, check the state of rooms or apartments before they place the volunteers.
Pros
  • Meeting inspiring people
  • Having the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and orginisations
  • Making long lasting friendships
Cons
  • Lack of organisation
  • Lack of communication
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that overall your experience in Palestine was positive and that you enjoyed meeting amazing people. We also appreciate your honesty about the teaching opportunities in the refugee camps and understand how that was disappointing for you. Your feedback is very important to us, and we will use it to improve how we match volunteers with the activities they are most interested in. We hope despite this, you were able to take away meaningful experiences from your time with us.

May
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

home away from home

Arriving here and being in Palestine for the first time (def. not the last time) of my life, I felt very nervous at first. However, the moment I stepped into the center all the nervousness disappeared. I came just in time for breakfast and immediately got to meet the other volunteers and the organizers of our programs. It felt like meeting your family that you only see once or twice a year - a very warm welcome! The program itself was a bit different from what I originally imagined- more city tours, more factory visits, ... . which was a very enriching as well and allowed a deeper understanding of life and work here in Hebron! Also, I was lucky to be placed in a host family from the program which was a true blessing. The Arabic lessons were well structured and allowed me to choose my focus (topic of conversation etc.). All in all the experience with GoPalestine was very eye opening (its one thing to hear about the occupation and life and a total different feeling to actually see and "experience" it ). Would recommend.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
dove
Pros
  • making new friends
  • experiencing authentic life in a host family
  • FOOD
Cons
  • Cold in winter!!!!!
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that your first visit to Palestine felt so welcoming and that you felt at home with the team and fellow volunteers. It’s great that the program gave you a deeper understanding of life in Hebron, from city tours to your time with a host family. We’re also happy that your Arabic lessons were helpful and enjoyable. Your reflection on truly experiencing life here captures the heart of what we hope every volunteer takes away. We’re thrilled you would recommend the program and hope to see you again soon!

Eliano
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-Changing Experience

This experience in Palestine was not just a trip, a "volunteering experience" to add to a resume.
It was real, human, and deeply transformative.

I don't return home with the feeling of "having helped", but with something much deeper.

A new prospective, genuine human connections, and the awareness that even a small gesture, when truly lived, can leave something good behind.

This is not an experience you simply go through. It goes through you. And it stays.

Life-Changing Experience

Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 weeks in Palestine

I volunteered for two weeks with Go Palestine, teaching English to local students helping them strengthen communication and speaking skills. I was also given Arabic lessons with a focus on local communication. The volunteer program included visits to refugee camps which offered first-hand insight into the resilience and daily challenges faced by displaced families. We visited the University of Hebron and spent an hour talking to students in an Applied English class, and visited the University Art and Book fair. A visit to the Palestinian Family Planning Centre highlighted vital community support services, broadening awareness of social development efforts. Another highlight was a day visiting Ramallah, and the Yasser Arafat museum which showcases the history of the Palestinian people. The entire experience has been incredible, I have learned so much and met amazing people, I'm already planning my next visit!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Although I already knew that Palestine is occupied, I was shocked to see the extent of the occupation and oppression.
Pros
  • I learned so much about the culture and experienced so many things
  • I felt that I was able to help in a small way
  • I met wonderful people
Cons
  • Sometimes the electricity went out in all of Hebron