Program Reviews

I spent 3 weeks in Hebron enrolled on the Israel-Palestine conflict program and the Volunteer in Local Schools program. I enjoyed my time there, and found the program to be an excellent introduction into Palestinian life and culture. I got to meet with a range of interesting people, and feel like I left with a much more thorough understanding of the conflict. All the people at the centre were welcoming and helpful, and there was a good environment with the other volunteers.

However, I think people should be very aware that this is a for-profit organisation, so with the teaching for instance, both you and the students pay, meaning that you will most likely teach middle class children. The organisation is also fairly apolitical. In other words, if you want to go to Palestine for humanitarian or political reasons, I would recommend checking out other organisations such as Youth Against Settlements or the International Solidarity Movement (ILS) instead (both are situated in Hebron).

Hello, my name is Amin Abdelaziz, I am a 20-year-old student studying Law at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and I have just completed the Volunteering with Refugees program at Go Palestine. My experience volunteering in Hebron, Palestine was very different from my other volunteering experiences. Volunteering in Hebron was an eye-opening experience for me, even as a Palestinian who knows fully well the extent of the occupation, I witnessed first-hand the hardships that everyday Palestinians face here. Something as simple as going to the mosque to pray is restricted with checkpoints and Israeli soldiers interrogations. However, contrary to popular belief, I have never felt unsafe in Hebron. If anything, I feel more unsafe back in England! Hebronites are very lovely and respectable people who love foreigners! I have heard ‘Welcome to Hebron!’ countless times. Palestinian hospitality is incredible; you may even receive free coffee or food from local shops!
I have never taught English and although I was nervous at the start, that feeling quickly subsided when I taught my first class. The students were attentive and eager to learn and I was impressed by their willingness to learn another language. This seemed strange to me as a boy who has grown up in the Western World, I have always heard my fellow classmates complaining that they don’t want to go to school! I told the Palestinian students about this and their response shocked me. They said that education is the strongest weapon you can have to fight the occupation. I will forever remember that statement and will always be grateful for the things I have and for the things I take for granted.
Moreover, whenever I needed assistance, the staff at Go Palestine were always ready to give a hand which I found very beneficial. They have helped me plan and guide my first few lessons.
I must also say that the staff went above and beyond my expectations by organizing various activities from visiting the majestic glass factory to arranging meetings with different Palestinian families and speaking to them about their experiences. They have even cooked traditional Palestinian food for us which was delicious. My favourite activity was exploring the old city of Hebron and the Ibrahimi mosque as well as speaking to Palestinian lawyers and discovering the origin of Palestinian law.
My three weeks volunteering have unfortunately come to an end, I have had so much fun teaching the students in Dura, Al Arroub Camp and at the Centre and I really wish them well and I hope they succeed in life. I definitely recommend Go Palestine for anyone who wants to give a hand for the less fortunate. Volunteering and teaching English really does make a difference in people’s lives and they appreciate you for that.

My time with Go Palestine:
My name is Adam Suleman, they call it the Excellence centre and personally I could not think of a more fitting name for the centre as my experience here has been nothing short of excellent.
During my time with Go Palestine I have been shown around the different parts of Hebron such as the old town which is rich in history, I was also shown places which are of much significance to Hebron such as the Ibrahimi mosque and Shuhada Street which again both have a deep history and story behind them, and then during my final week with Go Palestine I would come in for breakfast every morning which was delicious and then go to teach English classes to children at a children’s centre in Al Arub.
During my time here I have had the opportunity to look further in to Palestinian culture, such as getting to experience the amazing food, the historical sights and the life style here in Hebron. For me above all else I was amazed by the level of respect and hospitality shown by the people of Hebron, that will definitely be the quality that sticks out the most for me during my time spent in Hebron.
There was never a time when I did not feel safe walking around Palestine, I felt safe at all times, the people that I met did more than enough to make me feel at home.
I would most definitely recommend the programmes available with Go Palestine to anybody that is interested or curious in volunteering.

My name is Lilly McKenzie, and in July and August 2019 I completed the Media in Palestine Program in Hebron with Go Palestine. I'm from Australia, but have spent the last year on a Journalism exchange in Europe. I've always been interested in the occupation, and want to pursue a career as a foreign correspondent covering humanitarian crises. The chance to experience a taste of life in Hebron, and learn about journalism in Palestine was a dream come true.
Coming to Hebron, I had no clue what to expect from the city, but it was more than I could've ever imagined. Go Palestine placed me with a host family in nearby Halhul, and they welcomed me into their family with open arms. Every morning I would come to Go Palestine at 10, and have breakfast with the other volunteers before the day's activities.
The daily schedule varied day-by-day, including meeting with journalists, local NGOs, activists, and grassroots organisations, as well as exploring the city of Hebron with local volunteer guides. Of course the week is never complete without Arabic lessons, and teaching classes. I was lucky enough to teach basic media and journalism skills to both High School and University students. Working among local volunteers, most of whom are university students themselves, it's easy to get a feel for the Palestinian culture. People take great pride in hospitality, and just walking down the street, you will be welcomed to the city by shopkeepers. Everyone will try to feed you, give you tea, coffee, and juice, eager to take care of you.
Walking through Hebron, you can almost forget that you're living in occupied territory, save for some closed streets and empty guard towers. Shopping eating, and just hanging out in Hebron, you feel safe and welcomed everywhere, no matter the time of day or night.
This program has been amazing, and I have made many lifelong friends, and shared fantastic experiences. I hope to come back in the future, Inshallah!

Hello,
My name is Chantal Udressy and I come from Switzerland. I have a Masters in English and French and I teach teenagers and young adults. I took part in the Program “Teach Conversational English in Palestine” with Go Palestine in Hebron.
During my three weeks there, I mainly taught English in some villages and in Hebron. The children and teenagers were very welcoming and eager to learn. I enjoyed teaching basic English to children in Seera (Dura) and in Soureef. In addition, the exchanges with the students with a more advanced level (in Hebron) was a great opportunity for me to discover many elements about Palestinian culture and lifestyle.
I also had great Arabic lessons with Nadine; she is very sweet, motivating, patient, and she explains the concepts clearly! I have learnt some basic Arabic and I hope to keep on studying this beautiful language. The Center’s environment is good: the staff is always available and helpful, the teachers are kind and talkative. Regarding the volunteers, they are friendly and funny.
Moreover, I participated in various activities with the Center. I visited the Old City of Hebron and the Ibrahimi Mosque, as well as the Russian Orthodox Church. The Center also organized a visit of a Bedouin village: it was tough to realize how the life of its inhabitants is affected by the presence of settlers. I enjoyed the evening where we played soccer, went to the swimming pool, and had a barbecue with some people of the neighborhood. Perhaps the most memorable experience was the trip to Akka: it was nice to spend time on the beach and to visit this beautiful city with the staff, volunteers, and Palestinian families.
Beyond my visits with the Center, I went to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth – cities that I really appreciate. I also (re)discovered Jenin and Nablus. I love travelling in Palestine, admiring nature, visiting cities and meeting people.
I lived in Halhul with a lovely family: they welcomed me well, spent time with me, wanted to improve their English and taught me a bit of Arabic. However, living in this part of Palestine was challenging for me because it was really different of my previous experiences in other Palestinian cities. Here, the majority of people is not used to see foreigners and feeling awkward while walking into the streets is not a good impression.
Concerning safety and security in Palestine, I did not have any problems: all went well to arrive in Hebron and to travel to the different cities. Nevertheless, it is impressive and depressing to see occupation all over the place, with the soldiers, towers, wall and checkpoints.
What I like the most about Palestine is its importance for religion, its history and its landscapes. It goes without saying that I love the friends that I have here. I have had many good experiences in Palestine but if I had to remember only one, it would be having spent time in the Old City of Jerusalem with a local friend: indeed, it is very different to discover how people live there instead of visiting as a tourist.
To be honest, I do not have a clear lasting impression about Palestine, I suppose that it will me take time to grasp the meaning of this experience and to realize how much I have learnt. My overall experience with Go Palestine and in Palestine is challenging but worthwhile.
Last but not least, I would recommend the following: it would be great to improve the organization. For example, the visits are very nice but not always “officially” announced; thus, it would be good to receive more information about them.
It would also be welcomed to have a better connection between the old center (where I had my Arabic lessons) and the new one (where I taught and from which I left for the villages). Indeed, I almost never had the opportunity to have breakfast with the volunteers because I had to move from one center to the other.
Additionally, fifty children in one class (like in Siraa) is often overwhelming. I hope that it will be possible to split the class into two groups in order to adapt the teaching to the level of children. Effectively, with so many of them, the noise is inevitable, and the gaps between the levels is huge.
Finally, benefiting more from the presence of volunteers would be a good idea: we are often in a hurry only to end up waiting for a long time; the schedules are not clear and change frequently. With an improvement of organization – namely regarding the transports to the villages –, teaching could be more effective.
I want to thank all the people involved with the Center: the job done here is crucial, the programs are various and interesting.

My name is Hannah Brock and I’m a 20year old student of History and Politics at the University of Oxford. Although I was only able to spend one week with Go Palestine in Hebron, it was very informative and highly enjoyable!

During my time here, I have been introduced to many people who’s stories have helped shed light on the difficulties that ordinary Palestinians face day to day under Israeli occupation. Having open conversations with the families and people that we visited gave me very valuable insight into helping me form an opinion and a better understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Not only did I get to meet local people and activists, I was shown round the Old City and Shuhada street to observe for myself the effects of Israeli occupation on the local population. We also visited the Ibrahimi mosque and had time to ourselves to walk through the Israeli settlements to get a feel for the difference in life between the segregated communities.

Culturally, staying with a wonderful host family who cooked kofta with us and were super warm and welcoming made my experience really special. I would often get food with the friends that I made at the centre - both other volunteers as well as centre members - and hang out in the evenings around Hebron. On our penultimate day, the centre also took us to visit a local glass blowing factory which I found fascinating and a keffiyeh factory too, to help us better understand Palestinian craftsmanship.

Staying in Hebron felt very safe, I would regularly walk home in the evenings with a friend and aside from cars beeping and waving at me in a friendly manner, I never felt in danger. You may feel wary around Israeli soldiers because they all don big guns which can be intimidating but they generally tend to treat foreigners better than the locals. The organisers and volunteers at the centre are so wonderful and helpful in every way and made me feel very at home. They were always receptive to my many many questions which I truly appreciated.

I would recommend others to visit the centre for the human rights course but I would also recommend that you consider what you would like to do in Hebron. The course is really flexible and the organisers are excellent at shaping the course around your priorities so having a few things in mind is a great starting point. The course is not entirely human rights focused and you will get a really good all-round picture of life in Hebron as well as Palestinian culture.

Shukran Kteer Go Palestine Hebron!

My name is Martha and I am a 20 year old Politics and International Relations student, studying at the University of Birmingham. I came to Hebron for a week-long Human Rights course in August 2019, during a month-long trip to Palestine.

My week in Hebron has been fantastic. My friend and I stayed with Marwa, who provided everything we could have wanted and was so warm and funny. It was great to meet her enormous family too and practice our Arabic with them, as we began to learn it at the centre. Osama, Mahmoud, Mohammad, Mutaz, Rafat and everyone else who works at the centre were friendly, helpful and very well informed.

During the week, we did many activities, leaving the centre to visit people or sites every day. I thought that our course would mostly be in classrooms, learning through lectures and so on. However, almost everything we learnt was through meeting Palestinians, human rights activists and through tours by fantastic guides (especially Mahmoud). We visited the closed down Shuhada Street, the Ibrahimi mosque and a family who live surrounded by three checkpoints. We also did fascinating things which were cultural and apolitical, such as visiting a glass-blowing factory, a keffiyeh factory and the Old Town market stalls.

We got to know a lot about Palestinian culture. We learnt some (limited!) Arabic, ate lots of fantastic food (especially knafa and kufta) and spoke to as many Palestinians as were willing to speak to annoying foreigners! The thing which has amazed me the most about Palestinian culture is the openness and friendliness of Palestinian people. We have got used to hearing “welcome to Hebron!” shouted at us on the street, and when we got lost people were always willing to help us as much as they could. The culture of chattiness and friendliness has been such a fantastic discovery on our trip here.

We have always felt safe. My friend and I (both female) have walked home almost every night, mostly quite late, and never felt unsafe during the long walk. People were by and large friendly and helpful, I never felt at risk while we were exploring the city. I felt uncomfortable when we were in military-controlled areas as I’m not used to being around police/soldiers with guns etc, but we never witnessed any incidents whilst on our trips.

I would recommend this programme highly. I have learnt so much about the situation for Hebronite Palestinians, met so many interesting people and had lots of interesting discussions. If anyone is interested in the difficult life that has been created for Palestinians here, or the ever-changing and complex military oppression, then this course is brilliant. Mahmoud was the perfect guide and provided lots of local insights and translated for us tirelessly. I would love to come back.

Hello, my name is Natalia Macias and I’m 23 years old. I am Mexican American and I’m currently living in Asheville, NC.
Choosing Go Palestine was probably one of the best decisions I could have made. Not only is everyone friendly and welcoming, but everything you do in the center is purposeful and makes you feel as if you’re truly reaching your highest potential. In Hebron, it’s not very common to see foreigners around, so when the Palestinian people see you they try their hardest to speak English to make sure you’re welcomed here! It was truly an amazing experience.
During my stay here, I volunteered in the Teaching English as a Volunteer program. My day to day schedule varied quite a bit but it was fun because it kept me on my toes. I was able to assist in the old center with three of the English teachers who are amazing at everything they do. I also was able to teach English in the villages nearby such as Beit Ommar, Sureef, and Sair. Apart from teaching I was also able to see the beautiful Old City of Hebron along with Akka and a few other cities. Learning Arabic 3 hours a week was also something I was able to do. I had an amazing teacher who truly helped me understand the language.
All the volunteers and those who work at the center make sure you have an unforgettable time here.
Being able to see the Palestinian culture first hand was honestly something so indescribable and extremely pleasant to see. In the Palestinian community I was able to see how no one is homeless here. If you don’t have food, your neighbors will supply. If you don’t have something, your neighbor is sure to help you with the biggest smile. Everyone is kind to each other. I think the most surprising thing I saw while being here was how the Palestinian people are able to rise up even under an occupation. They don’t sit around waiting for change to happen, they make the change happen. There are amazing activists we were able to meet that were leading these changes. The Palestinians keep rising even when they are restricted from so many things.
I can say I have felt safe or even safer here in Hebron than I ever have in America. It’s very important to not be discouraged by western media saying that Hebron is conflicted. Once you’re here, you’ll see that this place is probably one of the safest places you’ll be. Everyone is kind and protective of one another even if you’re a foreigner. There’s nothing to be afraid of when coming to Palestine. It’s safe and if you get lost, there’s surely someone who is willing to help you.
I would recommend 10 out of 10 to come volunteer at the center through Go Palestine. For me it was a life change and eye opening experience that I will talk about positively for the rest of my life. Hebron has even shaped the way I think now. You’ll get the chance to help around the community while making new friendships that will last a lifetime.

Murhaba (Hi)! My name is Rayyan; I am 20 years old and I am from a city named Birmingham in Great Britain. For me, the reasons for which I decided to come to Palestine are plentiful. Firstly, as a Law student – I have just finished my first year at the University of Oxford – the Lawyers in Palestine program has propelled me into the heart of key legal issues: I have had the opportunity to meet with local lawyers, activists and government officials to hear, first-hand, their experiences of the occupation in both legal and non-legal contexts. This has, in turn, formed the backbone of my time in Al-Khalil (Hebron).
However, more importantly, the cultural immersion into Palestinian life has, above all, been
extremely formative. I have been lucky enough to live with a host family (the Murads) during my two weeks in Hebron. Although, at first, I was quite anxious to do so, the Murads
welcomed me into their family as their own! As a city, I have found Hebron to be great place to stay. Along my daily walk to the centre, King Faisal Street served as a microcosm of life in Palestine: each day and night, I was exposed to the various foods (so much Falafel!),
produce, stools, and people, many of whom often greeting me and welcoming me to
Palestine – not forgetting the occasional Shisha in the evenings! In our free time, I have
traveled to Palestine and Israel. In turn, this has allowed me to view contrasts between
the different ways of life in different Palestinian cities, as well as serving as a great means to try (and maybe fail at) speaking my newly learned Arabic! Above all, my short time at the Palestinian Centre has been beyond profound. I have met a diverse range of people from all around the world – and with some, I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. The memories I have gained here I will forever cherish and will shape the way in which I grow as a person. Shukran!

Marhaba!
My name is Francesco and I am a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Derby, England. I decided to come to Palestine and Hebron particularly because I am interested in the politics of the place as well as the Arabic language. I had also visited Palestine on previous occasions and I was impressed by its friendly people and beautiful cities. Despite the negative stereotypes you might have heard about Palestine and Hebron in particular, it is a really safe place and an ideal environment to study Levantine Dialect.
My experience at the Palestinian centre has been very positive. I have taken the Intensive Arabic Course and I have seen great improvements in my language skills. I have spent only 2 weeks in Palestine this summer, but I would like to return later on for a longer period. The centre organizes interesting activities every day, so the programmes are also a great chance to learn more about the people of Hebron, Palestinian-Israeli relations and life under occupation. As someone that works in education, I am convinced that Go Palestine and the Excellence Centre offer a great formative experience for those interested in the Arabic language and in the culture, politics and history of Palestine