Program Reviews

My name is Patrick, and I come from Denmark. During my stay in Hebron, the Palestinian Center has helped me obtain deeper knowledge about the conflict and the conditions here.

Through teaching English in Hebron and at a nearby refugee camp, I was given an amazing opportunity to interact with people, learning about their point of views, and their local customs, all the while making new friends. Additionally, I met up with local activists, and I learned about different initiatives being done in order to better the situation of the Palestinian people.

Palestinian culture offers both openness, kindness, and delicious culinary experiences. It has been very easy to get to know people from all over the place, even getting invited into their homes.

While there are frequent demonstrations, Hebron is generally safe for foreigners. Westerners are not being targeted, and with the use of some precaution, it is possible to stay out of any conflict.

I would definitely recommend visiting Hebron and volunteering at the Palestinian Center for anyone, who is interested in Arabic language and culture, politics, and international relations. You will gather hands-on experience, and widen your perspectives regarding the Palestinian situation.

My name is Billie and I am currently studying a masters in Law in London. I decided to come to Palestine, and Hebron in particular, in order to learn about the legal situation on the ground. I spent two weeks on the Lawyers in Palestine programme with Go Palestine and really wish that I could have spent more time here as there is so much to learn, see and do in the city.
I arrived in Hebron in the evening having taken a sherut from Jerusalem and was met by Osama and Marwa who I was to stay with for the two weeks. Living with a Palestinian family is a very valuable experience and a great introduction to the culture of the city. It’s bitterly cold in winter so I’d recommend any one coming here in the winter months to pack lots of warm clothes for both outside and inside the house. The old city is beautiful and well worth a visit – it speaks volumes about the reality of life for Palestinians living under occupation.
The programme itself was extremely interesting. I had some lessons at the Centre which introduced me to some of the foundational principles underpinning Palestinian Law as well as some discussions about the context in which the law operates in Palestine. I was able to meet with a number of different lawyers to talk to them about their practice and the reality of working as a lawyer in Palestine. I also visited court and sat in a case during cross examination, which was a wildly different experience to that in England. In order to situate my legal learning in socio-political context, I also met with NGOs and women’s rights activists. This turned out to be invaluable because it enabled me to glean different perspectives around current debates happening in Hebron with regard to CEDAW in particular and women’s rights in general. I also visited Al Fawwar refugee camp just outside the city. I met with a fantastic lawyer there who spoke with me about the legal and socio-economic situation for Palestinian refugees.
Hebron city itself is relatively conservative compared to other cities in the West Bank but I found Palestinian culture to be extremely warm and friendly. People are very eager to talk with you and invite you in for tea or coffee. It’s easy to make friends and feel comfortable and at home in a relatively short time. It’s also very safe (for foreigners). I never felt unsafe in Palestine. I was never accosted or bothered by people and felt able to leave valuables lying around in the knowledge no one would take anything. Despite my abysmal Arabic abilities, perfect strangers were always happy to help me, often calling friends who could speak English in order to translate so that they could better help me. I always felt safe and very well looked after by everyone.
I would definitely recommend others to visit Palestine, especially Hebron. It’s a wonderful city and if you want to see for yourself how the occupation works in practice and affects Palestinians, there’s no better place.

My name is Livia and I work for an International Foundation based in New York City. I first visited Palestine in March 2018 for a work trip and this was my second visit to the West Bank. I have a personal interest in the MENA region and Palestine in particular and was very happy to have the chance to meet local Hebron residents and learn more about Palestinian culture.
During this most recent trip volunteering with Go Palestine, I taught a few English classes to school girls aged 11-12, which was a wonderful experience as I found them very eager to learn and excited to have a new teacher, even if for just a few days. I also had the chance to take a couple of Arabic lessons and really liked my teacher Asma. The program also included a visit to the old city of Hebron and the Hirbawi factory, which is the last factory making traditional Palestinian Keffiyeh. During my stay I was hosted by a local family which gave me a further glimpse of daily life in Hebron. It was overall a good experience and my only regret is that my stay was too short, though I hope to return for a longer period next time around.
What I find most amazing about Palestine is the fact that people are so welcoming to foreigners even though they experience serious daily challenges due to the political situation there, some of which are caused directly or indirectly by foreign governments. Despite this, as long as you express interest in discovering the region and having discussions, no one will hold this against you and Palestine is overall a very safe place to travel. Palestinians will welcome you into their homes and share their culture, delicious food and other traditions with anyone interested in learning more about their country. While Hebron does experience more tension than other parts of Palestine, I still felt completely safe while I was there.
I recommend to anyone interested in the region and looking for a powerful learning experience to join one of the volunteer opportunities in Hebron. It is an experience that will have long-term benefits and will provide lasting memories to all parties involved.

My name is Calum and I am from the United States, I spent the last year in Lebanon studying Arabic and wanted to continue with the progress I made in the Levantine Dialect so naturally Palestine was the perfect fit! Don’t let the proximity of the occupation dissuade you, Hebron is the most fascinating city in the West Bank. I loved exploring both sections of the city, one side under Israeli control and the other under that of the Palestinian Authority, and I found it interesting the variety of activists, and other humanitarian organizations working on the ground here as well. The Center was nice to have as it grounded me each day. Having breakfast with the same group of people can be comforting and the familiar routine is helpful when arriving in a new city where you don’t know anyone. I took part in a number of tours and meetings organized by the Center here such as seeing the famously shutdown Shuhada Street, the last Keffiyeh factory in the West Bank, a number of glass and pottery factories, and various professors, lawyers and reporters as well. There are many opportunities for guided tours of the Old City of Hebron and I highly recommend going on one of these, just ask the center and they are happy to arrange one for you. My program was unique in that I would observe all the activities in the center and either photograph them or make small videos about them so I enjoyed the variety very much. I also taught some English and wrote a bit for the website so just because you have registered for a single program doesn’t mean you are confined to it, the Center is flexible and if you talk with them they are willing and able to
accommodate most adjustments. Palestinians are known for their hospitality so definitely go with the flow, it is normal to be
invited in for coffee or even for an entire meal so feel free to accept these invitations, plus a nice home cooked meal can be a nice change of pace from shawarmas and falafel sandwiches, but don’t take this as a criticism of either, they are both delicious and I highly suggest trying them out. I never felt in danger when I was in Hebron, for the most part locals are excited to meet foreigners and respect your personal space, though I understand I am an adult male and don’t have to worry about the types of harassment that women must deal with on a much more regular basis. Exercise regular amounts of caution, travel with a buddy at night, but don’t think it's a dangerous city in general, nothing could be further than the truth. I most definitely recommend coming to Hebron, I was never bored here but you definitely have to keep yourself busy and meet as many people as possible in my opinion. The Center here can act as a good system of support and routine but it can be a bit unorganized and you might be unsure of your
responsibilities from time to time. If, however you are self-motivated the Center is a great platform and resource for all sorts of activities and projects.

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!