Program Reviews

I am Sebastian and I came from Spain to spend a short but very sweet week in Palestine. I study architecture and during my summer semester I chose to come to Palestine to teach English and volunteer at refugee camps. After a long search online I stumbled across Go-palestine and quickly came in contact with Mutaz who helped me get an idea of what I would be doing once in Palestine. I was presented with a weekly schedule that included teaching English, learning Arabic, visiting refugee camps and spending time learning about the culture.
Now that this week has passed I can say that it was truly one of the most amazing experiences. The people have been incredibly hospitable and friendly. Through teaching I was able to meet a lot of the locals who quickly took me in and invited me to have coffee or tea. One week was just too short! If you’re thinking about coming I can only reccomend it. Feel free to reach out to me @karreth if you have any questions!

My time in Hebron was a really special experience that I am so thankful for. I took a super intensive Arabic course at Go Study Arabic in Palestine - Go Palestine, and it was a decision that I will always treasure. During the month I was there, I had the chance to explore Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Ramallah, and, of course, Hebron itself.

I had a great teacher named Duaa who helped me a lot. She gave me lessons tailored to my needs to help me get better at speaking, listening, and writing in Arabic. With her help, I made a lot of progress in a short time and now I feel more confident in my language skills. Duaa was an amazing teacher, and I'm really grateful for her support and expertise.

While I was in Palestine, I was warmly welcomed to different social events like weddings, parties, and small gatherings for tea or coffee. These experiences allowed me to make deep connections with local Palestinians and other international participants at the center. I know the friendships I made will last a lifetime.

Aside from the social aspects, I also visited various organizations, museums, and refugee camps, which gave me a better understanding of the occupation and what life is like for Palestinians. These experiences not only opened my eyes to new perspectives but also helped me improve my Arabic skills.

It's hard to put into words how much this journey in Palestine meant to me. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to be fully immersed in Palestinian culture, make meaningful connections, and learn so much about the region. Choosing to have this experience was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Embarking on a journey to Palestine was a choice which filled me with curiosity and anticipation. I wanted to immerse myself in the people's history, culture and everyday lives. This trip was also an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by teaching individuals English whilst exploring the cities within the West Bank. Whilst exploring these places I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
My journey began with the opportunity to volunteer, where I taught English to enthusiastic Palestinian students. Engaging with the minds of individuals filled me with pleasure and gave me a sense of purpose. In a classroom filled with laughter and inquisitiveness, I experienced the perseverance of these students to gain a new language skill which could open the door to a new future. This experience of exchanging knowledge and adopting connections through the language was rewarding.
Hebron is a city enriched in history which captivated me with its unique mixture of ancient heritage wrapped in a modern reality. Making my way through the bustling streets of the Old City, I was fascinated by the architecture and market, where friendly voices would echo asking ‘How are you? Or ‘hello.’ Amongst the charm, the tension from the presence of Israeli settlements and soldiers couldn’t be ignored, a reminder of the complex dynamics which exist under occupation.
One of the most profound aspects of my trip was the generosity of the Palestinian people. This ranged from sharing meals with local families as well as hearing their stories and experiences. Listening to these stories a gained the common characteristics of the people of Palestine: resilience, perseverance, and unwavering hope. These interactions allowed me to witness first-hand the strength of the human mind and the unwavering desire for freedom, justice, and a peaceful existence.
As I delved deeper into the Palestinian experience, the impact of the Israeli occupation became painfully apparent. Visiting areas affected by settlements, witnessing the restrictions imposed by checkpoints, and hearing personal accounts of displacement and injustice highlighted the daily struggles faced by Palestinians. The occupation’s toll on infrastructure, livelihoods, and freedom of movement cast a shadow over the lives of the people I met. It compelled me to reflect on the importance of advocacy, solidarity, and the pursuit of a just and peaceful resolution to the occupation.
My trip to Palestine was an extraordinary experience which transcended mere tourism. Teaching English, exploring Hebron and Nablus, and engaging with locals allowed me to connect with the vibrant fabric of Palestinian society. The course deepened my understanding of the realities faced by Palestinians living under occupation and reinforced my commitment to raising awareness and supporting their pursuit of justice and freedom. As I bid farewell to Palestine, I carry with me a renewed sense of empathy, a determination to share the stories I encountered, and a belief in the power of collective action to create a peaceful way to co-exist.

Incredible experience. I spent 3 weeks with GoPalestine on their "Media and Journalism" internship and I honestly think that this is one of the most unique and special experiences you could choose to do. Being with the people at GoPalestine gives you inside access to chat to just about anyone in Hebron, so my time was filled with interesting stories and conversation. I certainly feel like I understand the political dynamics of the region so much more, having experienced it first hand. Teaching English is fun and rewarding. The other volunteers became good friends, and the Palestinians are the most kind, hospitable and trustworthy people you could wish to meet. I was able to explore other cities in my time off including Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and got an authentic experience of Arabic culture, customs and food. I really couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the Middle East. I would love to come back someday, inshallah.

Al Salam Alikum! Ana "أنا" Samantha :) I am from the USA. I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the intensive Arabic program, and it was truly a life-changing experience. This program is not a typical language course, it's an immersive, one-on-one program that takes place in the beautiful country of Palestine.

I had the pleasure of working with Nadine, my amazing teacher who provided personalized instruction and helped me build practical language skills in speaking, listening, and writing Arabic. With one-on-one instruction, I was able to make significant progress in a short amount of time and feel more confident in my abilities.

But the program wasn't just about language instruction – it also included unforgettable day trips to the refugee camp in Hebron and Bethlehem, giving me the chance to understand the Palestinian culture and society. I even had the chance to stay with a host family, which allowed me to truly immerse myself in the local culture and practice my language skills with the locals.

I recommend the Arabic intensive program to anyone looking for an immersive, memorable and unique experience. Not only will you build valuable Arabic language skills, but you'll make unforgettable memories. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!

If you're looking for an unforgettable and enriching experience, I highly recommend the Media & Journalism Internship program in Palestine with Go Palestine. As a 27-year-old student who studied media, I can attest to the life-changing impact of this internship.

Throughout my time in Palestine, I had the opportunity to visit local media institutions, including local radio stations and TV studios, which allowed me to gain valuable insights into the media landscape in Palestine. Additionally, I had the privilege of taking Arabic classes with my incredible teacher Shourouk, which helped me better understand the language and culture of the region.

One of the most rewarding experiences during my internship was teaching English to Palestinian adults, which allowed me to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Additionally, visiting the refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem provided me with a firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by Palestinian refugees and their families.

Staying with a host family during my internship was an exceptional experience that provided me with an authentic and immersive experience of Palestinian culture. This, combined with the opportunity to live and work in Palestine, made for an unforgettable journey that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to truly immerse themselves in the Palestinian culture.

I have nothing to say but this was an exceptional opportunity for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Palestinian culture, media, and community. Don't hesitate to apply and embark on a journey of a lifetime!

Hi! I'm Julian, a 21-year-old student from Australia. My experience in Palestine was truly eye-opening. I was eager to learn more about the complex conflict in the region and gain a deeper understanding of the refugee crisis. I spent three weeks in the program, during which I had the opportunity to learn the Palestinian dialect, stay with a host family, and visit three refugee camps.

Learning the Palestinian dialect was one of the highlights of the program for me. It was challenging at times, but my Arabic instructor Mr. Muhammad was patient and helpful, and I was able to make significant progress. Speaking the language allowed me to better connect with the local community in Hebron and gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives.

Staying with a host family was also a great experience. They were incredibly welcoming and kind, and I learned so much from them about the local culture and way of life. It was fascinating to see how people live in the region and to experience their customs and traditions firsthand.

But perhaps the most impactful part of the internship was visiting the refugee camps. It was heart-wrenching to see the living conditions and the struggles that the refugees face on a daily basis. However, it was also inspiring to see their resilience and determination to create a better life for themselves and their families.

This internship with no doubt was an incredible experience that gave me a deeper understanding of the conflict and the human impact it has had. It also allowed me to connect with the local community, learn a new language, and gain a new perspective on global issues. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn more about the conflict and make a positive impact in the world.

Merhaba! My name is Oliver from the USA. I took part in the volunteer with refugees program for two weeks. Being immersed in the Palestinian culture and seeing the country is just an additional perk to the overall program. I had the opportunity to help the Palestinian refugees to learn English, and it was a great experience. The Go Palestine's staff is amazing, they will be there anytime you ask for a help, they will make your experience more enjoyable. They were awesome.

I also experienced visiting refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem every Monday, and it was an eye-opening to me. During the two weeks, I was able to help to teach conversational English to school students aged 12–17 years old, I had amazing and funny moments with them during the classes. Finally, I want to say that, the Go Palestine volunteer program is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to volunteer and make a meaningful impact on the community in Palestine. Will come again Inshallah!

My name is Ruquyya. I was born and raised in Britain and am married with 4 daughters. A colleague from my workplace came to Palestine and advised me to visit.

After extensive searches online and Skype calls and email exchanges, I felt that Palestine Go was the best fit for me and gave me the confidence to visit alone as a single Muslim female traveling alone with my daughter. We booked our tickets and arranged our stay for 1 week as we were still slightly apprehensive about coming to a foreign place alone.

Upon arrival we were greeted by the owners and instantly all of our apprehension disappeared. Everyone was so welcoming that we felt like we had stepped into a home away from home. A host family had been arranged for us and the hospitality of the host family and the people from the center has been second to none. Instantly my daughter and I agreed that we should have come for longer .

A typical day for us here would start with a freshly made breakfast to sit and share with the other volunteers accompanied by enriching conversations. We would converse in English and Arabic and we felt like we were learning something new constantly. After breakfast we would have activities to do that were planned and given to us in advance. This structured timetable made us feel at ease and never uncomfortable. Although we were only here for a week, our timetable included an whole days excursion to an ancient city full of history alongside a guided tour of the holy resting place of the Patriarchs.

We also taught conversational English to students and were given individual Arabic classes matched to our abilities. The conversational English classes were an eye opener and we learnt so much from the students during the sessions, that I would always be sad when they finished.

The classes, my lessons, the center , the excursions and living with a Host family gave me a unique insight into the Palestinian culture that I would not have received had I come alone as a tourist and stayed in a hotel. The hospitality of Palestinian people is second to none and I cannot count how many cups of coffee, offers of meals and invitations to visit people's houses I have received. I have eaten at least 3 times at random strangers houses in the week I was here and had to turn down so many invitations, with promises of the next time I visit.

Just to give an example of the hospitality, I caught a taxi to go to Bethlehem from Hebron and the driver upon learning we were visitors, took us home to meet his wife and brought her along with us for the journey to make us more comfortable. He also made us promise that next time we came Hebron ,we would stay at his house. Another person we met at the old city took us home after hearing we were foreigners to meet his wife, she then prepared an evening meal for us to eat together.

At no time during my stay in Hebron or whilst traveling alone, using the local sharing taxis did I feel unsafe. The people welcome you in with their whole hearts and the center guides you all the time with regards to safety, even on our Free days and evenings.

The only regret I have is that my stay is too short and I will definitely return in the future and encourage others to visit. It’s a true life changing experience.

I’m Maariyah – a 25 year old Doctor from the UK. I visited Hebron and participated in the Go Palestine ‘Teach English’ Programme for a mere one week. This included teaching English to students, mothers and local workers in Hebron. The lessons were great as they are one on one and so I could tailor it to the level of the individual student with some beginners and some advanced speakers. It also allowed me to get to know my students on a personal level and many of them have invited me to return and stay/eat at their house!
Aside from teaching, I have had the opportunity to learn the Palestinian dialect of Arabic. In my one week here I have had two lessons and am pleased to say I can hold a very basic conversation now!
The center had also organised tours of the old city, allowing us to visit the Ibrahim Mosque and a tour of the local village of Al-Dahiriya. These trips have given me a deeper understanding of the current political climate as well as Palestinian hospitality and culture.
I have learnt that Palestinian hospitality is like no other. The team at the center are incredibly welcoming, treating us as their own family! Having breakfast together every morning was one of the highlights of my trip. Palestine felt incredibly safe to me, and Palestinians will go out of their way to help you to feel comfortable, safe and at home.
I recommend this programme to all that wish to visit Hebron.