The Excellence Center

Program Reviews

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Hayley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A great low-stress environment to teach, learn, and make new friends.

The Excellence Center is, well, excellent! The atmosphere for students and for volunteers is laid-back and low stress, but you will still learn a lot of German or Arabic by the end of your program. Muaz is a great teaches with a conversational and friendly approach to teaching. Additionally, he teaches all of the lessons at the beginning of your session so you can use what you have learned throughout the rest of the trip. The students who come to the Center are very eager to learn. Most of them speak Arabic and German and want to practice conversational English, which also helps you with your language studies. The Center has the people in its local community, and it is great to be a part of that.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay longer
Pros
  • Making new friends
  • Understanding other cultures
  • Helping the local community.
Cons
  • Non that I can think of!
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Louis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Refugee Programme May - June 2025

I was in Palestine for five weeks. It has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my lifetime. I have met some incredible people here and have learnt so much about the experiences in the West Bank.

I would thoroughly recommend the programme to anyone who wants to come here to see what it is like. It is incredibly safe here (provided you are sensible), even with everything that has been happening with Iran. It has been an absolute joy to teach English at Al Fawwar camp, the girls there are super special and so sweet. I would also recommend going to Masafer Yatta for a few nights and helping to do the night shifts at the villages (as well as give any donations possible).

A big big thank you to Marwa and Osama for being so hospitable and ensuring that we all had a wonderful experience. I cannot forget to thank my arabic teacher Duha. She truly is the best teacher on the planet. She makes it incredibly fun to come for my lessons.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you come here, I would really recommend travelling as much as possible to the other cities in Palestine, but I would really suggest going with a Palestinian guide if you are going to Nablus or Jenin. Since 7th October, there have not been many tourists there so it is safer to be with someone who is known in the city.

I also warn that it can be uncomfortable getting in and out of Palestine but to just say you're visiting Israel and have evidence to prove it (i.e. book accommodation that you can cancel and get a refund)
Pros
  • Hospitality at the Center
  • The variety of activities
  • The opportunity to help people in a hard situation
Cons
  • May be upsetting to hear what people go through
  • Israeli immigration
  • Some kids in the streets may be annoying
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Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering with the Excellence Center in Hebron

I decided to travel to Palestine to become involved with community activities and learn about Palestinian culture first hand. It was an overwhelming experience to witness the struggle and beauty of the Palestinian people. Despite the occupation these people continue to stand strong in their spirt and heart. We visited many people who shared their story and how they continue to overcome the many obstacles that most people take for granted. Articulating this experience is extremely difficult. The Palestinian experience is an experience you will never forget. My life has been forever changed and I hope one day to return.

The Excellence Center provided me with a safe environment, advice, laughter and joy of which I will neve forget. I encourage anyone thinking of coming to Palestine to visit the Excellence Center where you will be welcomed like family. I have made many friends in Palestine, local and abroad who will remain in my heart forever.

Thank you to the Excellence Center for all your hard work and generosity and allowing me to experience Palestine in all its beauty. May god bless us all.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would not change a thing
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Ashlynne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I didn’t think I could learn so much German in a week

I was only able to come for one week but everyone in the program made that one week very worth it. I studied in Halle, and between my host family, cafes, classes, etc. I was totally immersed in a different culture with many opportunities to practice my german. The city is beautiful with lots to do for a student, I watched a german movie in the theater and went to a few of the many museums. Everything is quite affordable. The people in Halle don’t default to English as fast as I’ve heard they do elsewhere. My teacher was patient and attentive and the excellence center provided a sweet and supportive community to return to in a foreign city. I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to learn spoken german (or arabic!) in a very caring and beautiful environment

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Stay longer than a week. Take advantage of the extensive train systems nearby—take day trips to Leipzig and weekend trips to Prague. Halle is beautiful but it’s still a small European town.
Pros
  • Community
  • Great teachers
  • Beautiful town
Cons
  • Small town
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Cecilia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience in Hebron, Palestine

I had such a great time spending a month with the Excellence Center! Having just graduated from university, I came to volunteer for the Human Rights internship which has been really enriching. I have met so many people working in the field from Palestine, but also lawyers abroad. I got to work on small HR projects, visit refugee camps and have gotten very in touch with overall the situation in Palestine.

I was originally a bit nervous about coming here considering the current tensions but have had such an amazing experience. Everyone in town is so welcoming and the city of Hebron is wonderful and extremely safe. Marwa and Osama have also been so great at making me feel welcome and at home. I've had such a interesting and comfortable time, I truly recommend it!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I found it extremely interesting to see the effects of the current occupation on the livelihood of the people living here. Despite constant aggressions everyone is extremely positive, optimistic and so kind.
Pros
  • Hospitality of the Palestinian people
  • The variety of activities
  • The opportunity to help people in a hard situation
Cons
  • Wasn't prepared cold weather (my fault)
  • Israeli immigration
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Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 Weeks with the Excellence Center

Coming from Australia in this political climate was a big decision for me but I can safely say that this was the best experience i have ever had in m life. I have made life long friends and gotten everything i hoped for and more out of the program. Hebron feels like a second home for me and the people here are the absolute best, the staff locals and everyone I will never forget. As a law student and aspiring international lawyer i thought it was most important to learn about the places and people that laws effect before I try legislate upon them, this program assisted me in learning about an unbiased review of what the situation is like here and how people like myself can actually assist these amazing people. I hope to be back soon and I will miss this place and the people very very much.

What was your funniest moment?
Trying to talk to everyone with my accent, people were so kind but had absolutely no clue what I was saying which was hilarious
Pros
  • Amazing teachers and hosts
  • Great learning experience
  • Great internship
Cons
  • due to the climate some locals can be on the offensive if you look like a tourist
  • being gluten free - the food looked so good!!!
  • -
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Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A fantastic place with fantastic people

This was my second visit to Halle and the Excellence center and this time I brought my brother with me to learn Arabic! The community is so welcoming and fun and it really is a LOW STRESS environment ;) I loved spending time getting to know Halle and the people at the center and I felt like I belonged even in a foreign country. Breakfasts with the group were my favorite part of the day as well as teaching and preparing my lessons for my students. Overall a fantastic experience and I look forward to returning!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open to trying new things and don’t take it too seriously. This is a place for everyone to have fun and learn together, don’t treat it like work or school.
Pros
  • Welcoming community
  • Great food
  • Fun adventures
Cons
  • Not really anything but there’s a lot of people who pass through so I wish people would stay longer!
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Carmen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Arabic in Hebron.

I've enjoyed my time studying Arabic a lot! The classes were intensive which means we made a lot of progress in only four weeks. My teacher was the sweetest and I had a great time with her.

I fell in love with the city of Hebron which is so welcoming and safe. I felt right at home!

The apartment for women is very new and was a great place to live during my time in Hebron. Sometimes the power/water/wifi turns off, but that usually doesn't last long and has not been a problem for me at all.

Hopefully I'll be back in Hebron soon!

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Jaylen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just The Best

The Excellence Center provides such a fun, safe, and educational experience for all that volunteer. Through the experiences I’ve had with them, I can consider Palestine a 2nd home for me. Everyday I felt safe and excited as I looked forward to what new lessons to teach and activities to participate in. The teachers are amazing and the organizers are awesome. When I was here, I knew my safety was their utmost importance and my experience was ensured to be great. I have more trips here planned. This was my second. So excited

What was your funniest moment?
The people in Hebron don’t get a lot of tourists. So they often treated me like I was a celebrity. Lots of the kids called me Speed. It was crazy. But a good crazy
Pros
  • Great food
  • Friendly people
  • Wonderful travel options
Cons
  • May find the occupation upsetting
  • Checkpoints make travel a bit difficult
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Hillary
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering with the Excellence Center in Hebron

This was a really lovely opportunity to get a foot into the community with a supportive organization in order to branch out and learn more about the community. The Arabic classes were super helpful and informative. There were opportunities to talk to local community members to get a better understanding of the social-political situation from a local and global perspective.

In terms of safety, Israeli soldiers walk through the city sometimes. On Saturdays, the settlers walk through the Old City and the IDF will clear the streets during that time. It is best not to aggravate the soldiers as this can make things more difficult for those who live in the area in case retaliation occurs.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come with an open mind and a willingness to ask questions in order to learn more from those who live here.
Pros
  • Arabic classes
  • People
Cons
  • May be upsetting to hear what people go through
  • Checkpoints can be stressful
  • May witness some unsettling things