Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Program Reviews

Lucas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thank you GoPalestine

I would like to thank our friends at GoPalestine for being so kind and attentive to our needs. They always answered our questions (and we had many!), provided us with amazing breakfast everyday and made us feel comfortable when we visited the refugee camps and town centers. They shared many of their experiences with us with humility and transparency, and never made us feel 'silly' for not knowing the most basic of things about their culture. I am leaving soon and am already missing this place and its people. I hope whoever reads this will be influenced to come!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Crossing the border into Israel was nerve racking because the soldiers are not very friendly. I overcame it by thinking about the fact I never have to experience this, while the locals have to live with this reality. It gave me strength and got me to stop complaining in my mind.
Pros
  • Friendly locals
  • Safety
  • Good food
Cons
  • Difficult to come to Palestine
  • Language barrier makes things harder
  • Israely soldiers
Grace
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Law and human rights

It has been a great experience to visit Hebron. People are warm and kind. I have discovered many things about Palestine and its law system, visiting the Court of Bethlehem and Hebron. Everyone is available to help you. The room of the apartment where I have stayed was almost independent and big, and not so far away from the centre, so you can come by foot. Ask the family or at the centre to clean if it's not clean enough, they are gonna do it. In August, maybe it's too hot, so I recommend coming during spring or autumn.

Chelsea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

First time in Palestine

I had an incredible time, I have tried to come for a while but had scheduling problems that they were always understanding of. I came for two weeks and saw many things. The locals were incredibly hospitable and I was often invited to stay at the homes of others. I would recommend others to research the weather beforehand, I am accustomed to Canada so struggled a bit with the heat. I wish I had come for longer but can hopefully return in winter. I definitely recommend studying a bit of Arabic prior to coming as locals are incredibly friendly.

What was your funniest moment?
A donkey startled me.
Pros
  • Hospitality
  • Language courses
  • Food
Cons
  • The heat
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled you had an incredible time and felt welcomed by the locals, it’s wonderful to hear how hospitable everyone was. We’re glad we could accommodate your schedule and hope you’ll be able to return in the winter. Great tip about learning some Arabic and checking the weather—these little preparations really make a difference. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again soon!

Chelsea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing time!

My time with Go Palestine was short but amazing. I gained a valuable insight into the daily life of Palestinians and met so many amazing people. Visiting the refugee camps was an experience I won't forget.

At Go Palestine you feel supported and encouraged to make the most out of your experience there. You will be able to practice your Arabic as well make new friends. Seeing the realities of life in Hebron is a privilege I won't forget, being able to spend time listening to thew refugees in the camps is a a huge honour.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay for longer!!
Pros
  • Meet amazing people
  • Leanr more about the history
  • Experience the daily life under occupation.
Response from Go Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Cultural Exchange

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re glad you had a meaningful time with Go Palestine and that you could connect with the community. Visiting the refugee camps can be powerful, and we’re happy it left a positive impact on you.

C
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An insightful and fun experience

This program gave me the opportunity to shadow an attorney and visit different courts in the West Bank. During the health and environment part of the program, I got to meet with relevant organizations like prisoners' rights groups, family planning centers, and environmental monitoring bodies. Alongside these activities, I studied Arabic and then got to practice it through immersion while living in Hebron. I also highly recommend exploring Hebron for its wonderful history and beautiful glasswork.

Nicholas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Like no other place in the world

I came here because I felt a strong calling to connect with Palestinian culture and people and I found myself integrating here very quickly. People here really value generosity and have invited me to celebrations, weddings, meals and into their houses for tea on a daily basis. I feel completely safe here and would recommend anybody who is interested in the true culture of the Holy Land to take a trip here and experience the hospitality and warmth of the people. I highly recommend it and everyone should come here.

Obada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience with GO Palestine

My experience volunteering at GO Palestine was an incredible opportunity for me to immerse myself in Palestinian culture, connect with locals, and gain a deeper understanding of their daily struggles, resilience, and traditions. Through meaningful interactions, I learned about the challenges Palestinians face, their rich history, and their strong sense of community. The experience was both eye-opening and rewarding, allowing me to contribute while also broadening my perspective on life in Palestine.

Ari
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

First 10 online lessons with Dua'a

Dua'a is a phenomenal teacher. She is kind, wise and I learn a lot every lesson. I feel confident that with her, I can achieve my goal of becoming semi-fluent in conversational Palestinian Arabic and spend time in the West Bank.

She her own way of teaching me each letter one at a time which is gradual and intentional. By the time I finished learning the alphabet, I knew around 200 important words and know as we being our next 10 lessons I am excited to learn sentence structures and simple conversations.

Thank you for all that you do!

Luca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Inspiring!

My time in Hebron was inspiring. Each day, I’d head to the center around 9:30 a.m. and spend my time visiting local radio stations and media organizations in Hebron. These field visits were incredible for meeting people in the industry and getting a firsthand look at Palestinian media.

I also took Arabic classes, which were a huge help in building my conversational skills. My teacher was amazing, every lesson was fun, and I learned so much. Even though I’d studied some Arabic before, these classes really boosted my confidence with the language. Before coming here, I’d heard mixed things about safety in Palestine. But from my experience, it’s been nothing but welcoming.

I felt safe walking around alone, even at night, and the locals were incredibly kind. I first visited Palestine on my own in 2019, and I felt just as comfortable now in Hebron. If you’re considering Go Palestine, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a chance to learn, connect, and experience a beautiful, welcoming culture firsthand.

Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Month in Palestine

Hello, my name is Alex, and I'm from the United States. I had the privilege of participating in the Lawyers in Palestine program, where I spent an unforgettable month in Palestine. My time there was nothing short of incredible.

The people were overwhelmingly kind even in these hard times, always ready to lend a hand and make sure I was well taken care of, happy, and enjoying my experience. The hospitality here is unmatched. Throughout the program, every day was filled with new learning and adventures.

I met numerous lawyers, attended court sessions, and even visited hospitals and schools. I had the unique opportunity to sit in on a class at the College of Law at Hebron University, where I was able to engage with the Dean and other students. Beyond my academic experiences, the Go Palestine team organized excursions to Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, and other smaller cities around Hebron. I also met with various human rights organizations that gave me valuable insights into the complexities of the Israeli occupation and Palestinian law. One of the things that stood out to me most was the legal system in Palestine.

There is such a fascinating and intricate mix of laws at play Israeli law, British Mandate law, Jordanian law, Sharia law, and civil law. It was eye-opening to see how all these different legal frameworks interact, and the Go Palestine program made sure I had the chance to meet experts from each area to understand how they shape the daily lives of Palestinians. Throughout my stay, I always felt safe.

Even when traveling through checkpoints, I was well-informed about the procedures and knew exactly what to expect. I would encourage everyone to visit Palestine, and if you're unsure about how to go about it, I highly recommend the Go Palestine program. They made me feel like family, and they will do the same for you.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Learn about the different laws in Palestine, Israeli, British, Jordanian, Sharia, and civil. It’s a great chance to see how these laws affect people’s lives. This experience will open your mind and stay with you.