Program Reviews

After spending the previous year in Lebanon studying Arabic, I was eager to continue improving my Levantine dialect. Naturally, Palestine felt like the perfect next step. Don’t let the occupation and the current situation discourage you, Hebron is one of the most captivating cities in the West Bank.

I enjoyed exploring both sides of the city, one under Israeli control and the other governed by the Palestinian Authority. The diversity of activists and humanitarian organizations working on the ground was fascinating to witness.

The center became my anchor during my stay, offering a sense of routine and comfort. Sharing breakfast with the same group of people each morning helped me feel more settled in a new place where I didn’t know anyone. I joined several tours and meetings organized by the center, including visits to Shuhada Street, which remains famously shut down, the last Keffiyeh factory in the West Bank, various glass and pottery factories, and insightful discussions with professors, lawyers, and journalists.

Guided tours of Hebron’s Old City are a must, and the center is always happy to arrange one for you. My experience was quite unique since I documented the center’s activities through photography and video. I also taught English and contributed to their website. The center is flexible and open to adapting your role, so even if you sign up for one program, you can explore other opportunities by simply talking to the staff.

Palestinians are known for their incredible hospitality, so don’t be surprised if you’re invited in for coffee or even a full meal. Accepting these invitations can offer a break from shawarma and falafel, although both are absolutely worth trying! Throughout my time in Hebron, I always felt safe. Locals were friendly and excited to meet foreigners, and I found they respected personal boundaries. However, I acknowledge that as a man, my experience may differ from that of women, who face different forms of harassment.

It’s wise to take basic safety precautions, such as traveling with a companion at night, but overall, Hebron isn’t a dangerous city. In fact, I highly recommend visiting. There’s always something to do, but I think it’s important to stay proactive meet people and stay engaged. The center here offers great support and helps provide a sense of structure to your experience.

I was eager to visit Palestine and found Go Palestine while looking for programs. The program included visiting the Old City, Al-Fawwar camp, various human rights organizations, the court, and allowed us to meet with lawyers and activists. We even organized a workshop and discussion with law students from Hebron University at the legal clinic.

What amazed me was how, despite living under occupation and not having a legislative council, local legal professionals showed incredible creativity and resilience. I met many people with innovative ideas for improving their society. Hebron is a great city, and I’d recommend visiting Palestine and especially Hebron to experience and understand the local culture and community.

During my stay in July, I volunteered with the Teaching English program, where my schedule was varied and engaging. I worked with excellent English teachers at the center and taught in nearby villages like Beit Ommar, Sureef, and Sair. I also explored Hebron, Akka, and other cities, and took Arabic lessons with a great teacher.

The locals in Hebron were incredibly welcoming, with neighbors always ready to help each other. I was impressed by how Palestinians, despite the occupation and the current situation, continue to make positive changes and support one another. I felt safer in Hebron than I have in America and highly recommend volunteering with Go Palestine.

My name is Siobhán. I've participated in the Media in Palestine Internship Program in Hebron with Go Palestine for one month. My experience exceeded all expectations, thanks to the warm welcome from my host family in Halhul and the rich cultural insights gained from local volunteers and daily activities.

The program offered a diverse daily schedule that included meetings with journalists and media experts, explorations of Hebron, Arabic lessons, and teaching media skills to students. Despite being in an occupied territory, Hebron felt safe and welcoming, thanks to the generous hospitality of the locals. This incredible experience allowed me to make lifelong friends and fully immerse myself in a new culture. I hope to return in the future!

I have had a fantastic experience taking online Arabic classes with Dua’a. She was kindly able to accommodate my busy schedule.

As a beginner to Arabic I have found Dua’a’s teaching to be very clear and systematic. It is evident she has a lot of experience as a teacher, because she can anticipate my questions before I ask them.

She is a very kind and patient teacher while also being fun and engaging. In addition to Arabic I am learning a lot about Palestinian culture.

I cannot recommend Dua’a enough!

During my time in Hebron, the Palestinian Center helped me learn a lot about the conflict and the local conditions. Teaching English both in Hebron and at a nearby refugee camp gave me a great chance to meet people, understand their views, and learn about their customs while making new friends. I also connected with local activists and discovered various projects aimed at improving life for the Palestinian people.

I’ve found Palestinian culture to be very open and kind, with delicious food. It was easy to make friends, and I even got invited into people’s homes. Although there are often demonstrations, Hebron is generally safe for foreigners even in these hard times.

I highly recommend visiting Hebron and volunteering at the Palestinian Center if you're interested in Arabic language and culture, politics, or international relations. You'll gain valuable experience and a better understanding of the Palestinian situation.

I’m Lucas from Spain. After spending the last two years in Jordan studying Arabic, I wanted to keep improving my Levantine dialect and learn more about human rights in Palestine, especially in the West Bank. Two months ago, I joined a program in Hebron, which I found to be the most interesting city in the West Bank, despite worries about the occupation and the current situation.

Exploring both parts of the city, one controlled by Israel and the other by the Palestinian Authority was very intersting. The center gave me a comforting routine with organized tours and meetings that provided deep insights into local culture, history, and current issues. Highlights included visiting Shuhada Street, the Keffiyeh factory in the West Bank, and meeting professors, lawyers, and activists.

My program was special because I documented the center’s activities with photography and videos, which made my experience more diverse. I also taught English and helped with the center's website. The staff was flexible and supportive, making my time in Hebron very fulfilling.

Palestinian hospitality is amazing, and I strongly recommend accepting invitations for coffee or meals they give a real taste of the local culture. I never felt unsafe in Hebron; the locals were welcoming and respectful, although I understand that women might face different challenges. Overall, it was an incredible experience that deepened my understanding of the region and its people.

My time in Hebron and at the Palestinian center has been amazing and unforgettable. I interacted with Palestinians every day, learned about their daily lives, and made new friends.

During my volunteer work, I taught English at the Al-Fawwar refugee camp and organized an academic writing workshop for Hebron University students, thanks to Dr. Naim.

One thing that really stood out to me about Palestinian culture is the strong sense of community and spirit. The people in Hebron are very friendly and welcoming, always going out of their way to make you feel at home. The children in the Al-Arroub and Al-Fawwar camps are eager to learn English and bring a lot of positive energy to every class.

Despite what you might hear in Western media, Palestine is a safe country, and Hebron is a very friendly city, even with the current situation. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to see the real Palestine, not just the one most people imagine.

Hi, my name is Emily. In the last two weeks, I joined the Teaching Conversational English in Palestine program in Hebron, where I taught kids aged 8-12 English. It was an amazing experience. I had never taught English on a large scale before, so I was a little worried, but it turned out to be the most amazing experience ever for me. The kids I taught were eager to learn, and we laughed a lot during the sessions.

The staff were very helpful, the host family was hospitable, and oh, Palestinian food is the best! This program is perfect for anyone looking for a new experience and also to understand the situation in Palestine. I can't recommend it more highly.

Learning Palestinian Arabic online was a fantastic experience! The classes with Duaa were incredibly engaging, and her teaching style made every lesson enjoyable and informative. Duaa's flexibility in scheduling was a significant advantage, as it perfectly accommodated my busy and often unpredictable schedule, ensuring I never missed a class. Her expertise and patience helped me build a strong foundation in the language.

I now feel much more better speaking Arabic and can't wait to visit Palestine to use my new skills in real-life situations. This immersive learning journey has enriched my understanding of the culture and language. I highly recommend it!