Program Reviews

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!

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!

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

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.

The Excellence Center was such an amazing program. So much so I came back a second time and plan to come again soon! The center as well as the city was so safe and just a great experience. I understand that people may be hesitant but I never had to worry about anything my entire month here. And I know my fellow volunteers felt the same. Safety was definitely ensured. The programs are so interactive with the children who are so much fun when the class starts. The teachers are some of the friendliest I've ever had. Patient, warm, caring, etc. The city is so friendly and lively. The people are great. The organizers are like family to me now. I love everyone at the center.

I had the opportunity to work in a very meaningful setting with a lot of really great people. Aid work like this is set to be my career so learning in this way is very important. Learning Arabic in Hebron and being imbedded into Palestine builds character and a resume. Palestine as it is now is one of the most extreme examples of political violence today and its because of that, that working with the Excellence Center is one of the best ways to learn about state violence and related ideas firsthand. The Excellence center offers so many avenues to work directly with Palestinians in Hebron as well as in some of the most disenfranchised communities around it.

Our week with the program was truly transformative — both for our students and for ourselves as teachers. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and supported by the entire team. Special thanks to Muaz, Raffat, Douchenne and Ali, whose dedication, warmth, and insight created a safe and inspiring space for growth.

The Circle sessions were powerful — a place where deep connection and reflection was built. These moments truly made the group feel like a community. The breath work sessions offered a unique opportunity for reflection and inner calm, something our students still talk about as one of the most surprising and impactful parts of the week. The electric exercise made us work together and have fun while connecting.

This program doesn’t just teach values — it lives them. It creates space for honesty, action, and transformation. We left Halle with open hearts, broadened minds, and a strong desire to return.

Highly recommended for any group looking to combine social engagement, personal development, and intercultural learning.

When I first arrived in Germany, I was greeted warmly and everybody at the center was extremely welcoming. After completing three months of teaching German and English, I can say that it has been an unforgettable experience, throughout which I have learned a lot.

Teaching different ages and people with different backgrounds has been so inspiring; every single person was so kind and motivated, which made it feel like catching up with a friend.

I also learned Arabic as a complete beginner, and my teacher, Muaz, was great; he made the lessons fun, and I can really feel my progress. He has inspired me to keep learning the language.

It was incredible to see how respected Rafat is by every single person who comes into the Excellence Center. The difference the center has made for so many people is absolutely incredible to see.

As a Japanese, I was very anxious about volunteering in Germany.

However, the members of the Excellence Centre dispelled my anxiety within a minute of meeting them! They are so cheerful and friendly.

I had a wonderful time with my friendly colleagues and cheerful, hard-working students. And I could also go on a wonderful city tour and Arabic Course.

Regarding the Arabic Course, they teach us with the first step of learning new language step by steps. I have finally could introduce myself and make a small talk in Arabic.

From above, I highly recommend this programme to anyone who wants to volunteer in Europe for a short period of time!

Volunteering at the Excellence Center in Hebron for 10 days has been an unforgettable experience. I had the joy of helping amazing kids improve their English and spending meaningful time with them, which was both rewarding and inspiring. Meeting the other volunteers and sharing trips together gave me the chance to learn more about the rich Palestinian culture, its delicious food, and the warm, resilient people who make this place so special.

A huge thank you to teachers Jumana and Duha for their patience and skill in teaching me Arabic – I learned so much and truly appreciated their support. Qatada and Mohammed were incredibly helpful in showing me around and making sure I felt at home. Osama, Marwa, and the rest of the staff welcomed me like family, and made my time in Palestine truly amazing.

I can’t wait to return and spend even more time at the Center, inshallah!