Program Reviews

When I first applied to the medicine programme, I did not know what to expect. My perceptions of Palestine were that it was a dangerous place to visit; my friends and family advised me not to go.

Against their advice, I decided to go anyway, I was scared but also excited and curious.

My route into Palestine was not a conventional one; I flew into Jordan and then stayed for a few nights before crossing the border from the south.

I arrived in Jerusalem and from there to Hebron via Bethlehem. Before coming here, I would have thought it would be a place where there was little to no activity, but when I came, I was pleasantly surprised to see how busy it was; it had the hustle and bustle of any major city.

I was welcomed warmly by the Excellence Centre staff and felt right at home straight away.

The rest of the days consisted of visiting hospitals and refugee camps to see the reality of Palestinian life and healthcare. This experience was a bittersweet one as I felt so welcome by the Palestinians but also sorrow at the harsh realities of living here. I can’t thank the excellence centre staff enough for how rewarding they have made my visit here, I felt completely safe and welcomed throughout my time here.

My advice to people who are on the fence about visiting would be to take the leap and experience the reality of Palestinian life first-hand.

I've spent the last three months with the Excellence Center, and it has been without a doubt the best decision of my life.

I arrived not really knowing what to expect and was quickly swept away by the kindness, the generosity, and the very welcoming nature of the Palestinian people. This is especially so when it comes to the staff at the Center. I felt so looked after, so at home, and so safe in the environment that they have created.

My program was a writing program, and I learned so much about Palestine, the occupation, the history, and the daily resilience of the people through writing about them each week. In addition to this, I was very proactive in travelling a lot across Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jenin, Nablus, Jericho, Tel Aviv and Haifa - so I got to see a lot of the area and meet a lot of interesting people from different walks of life. I was also proactive in organising time in the South Hebron Hills, where I was able to spend time with a wonderful community that really enriched my time here.

The thing that stands out to me most about my time here - more than the amazing food, more than the lovely markets, more than the many historical and religious sites - was the people. You can feel their resilience even in the act of living. I was continually blown away by their hospitality and their determination.

I'm not going to lie, it's heavy here. It's one thing to hear about the occupation, and a completely other thing to see it for yourself - hear the stories of how it impacts the lives of literally everyone here. But the sadness of it all is balanced out by the depth of the people and their love for the land. It's an incredible thing to witness.

If you're looking for a tightly scheduled and structured program, look somewhere in Europe. If you're looking for an immersive experience that lets you see the whole heart of this place and its people, meet incredible individuals, get to know the community, and get unique and direct insights into life under occupation in Palestine, then this is the place for you. Come with an open mind and an idea of what you want to get out of your time here, and you will not be disappointed.

I feel forever changed by this place, and I'm counting down the days until I can return. Huge thanks to everyone here but especially Marwa and Osama for making everyone feel like part of their family.

When I first signed up to this programme, I was as nervous as could be. It was my first time travelling outside the UK alone and I had no idea what to expect but the moment I walked through the doors of the Excellence centre I was welcomed like I was an old friend. The team managed to dissipate any kind of fear or hesitation I had from the first day. Everyday after was better than the last. I got to meet people from all over contribute to the community by teaching English and study German all at the same time.

Studying German was one of the aspects I was most nervous about, it was something I had always been bad at school. Yet with both an absolutely phenomenal teacher and the other volunteers to practice with I found myself not only feeling a real sense of progress in learning the language but genuinely having fun.

Teaching English was another great part of the programme, we had both help in teaching but equally alot of freedom to teach as we thought best suited our students and their needs. Additionally it felt like a collaborative effort where we as the volunteers would constantly exchanging ideas for lessons and directions we could go for our different students.

My absolute favourite memories at the centre have to be the breakfasts. Being able to sit down as a group and share a meal is such a great way of getting everyone to gel together and become friends, I don't think there was a single breakfast where we weren't all laughing together at some point or another.

The excellence centre has an absolutely wonderful team who gave me an amazing experience. When my time at the centre was finished I was already thinking of when I could next return.
I genuinely cannot thank everyone at the centre enough for the experience they gave me.

I spent 1 week with the Excellence Center as part of their Human Rights program. I had some idea of what to expect before coming here, but had never been to the region before, so still had many questions. During my time in Hebron, the staff at the Excellence Center were incredibly welcoming, helpful, and provided me with an experience I will never forget. Throughout the week, I had the chance to study Arabic, engage with the local community, and volunteer as a protective presence for villagers in the Masafar Yatta region, all while gaining a better understanding of the situation in the West Bank. I had the opportunity to experience Palestinian culture and truly felt welcomed by the local community. I always felt safe and would recommend this program to anyone considering it!

I visited The Excellence Centre in Hebron for two weeks on the Human Rights program. Although my two weeks flew by, I was lucky enough to experience so much in such a short time.

Not only was it my first time in Palestine, but it was also my first time in an Arab country, therefore the cultural difference was initially a worry for me, however, I quickly learned that the locals are very welcoming of internationals, and I felt so looked after throughout my time in Hebron, both in and out of the center. The culture and environment are something I have found so heartwarming, something I would recommend everyone experience at least once if they can.

I arrived in Hebron not knowing how to even say hello, not only I can say hello, I can now greet people in different ways, ask people how they are, where they are from, and so on. I have learned more than I thought I would in such little time. I hope to develop this for my return visit of course!
I have visited many places, every day the center would organize visits for us to see different things, such as the Ibrahim Mosque, the Old Town of Hebron, glass factories, the original Kufiyya factory, the al Fawwar camp and we even got to stay the night at a village in the Masafer Yatta community. A very eye-opening experience to say the least.

One of the questions I had before my visit, was wondering if I would feel safe. As a young woman, I can now say there has not been one moment I did not feel safe, even walking at night. The locals are extremely friendly, they love to make conversation as they love a chance to practice their English. The Palestinians are honestly the most wonderful people I have ever had the chance to meet. I have made many friends that I hope to keep in touch with, and the people are a huge highlight of my visit overall.

My host family, Marwa, and Osama. I cannot thank them enough for their outstanding hospitality, they look after their volunteers so well. Before Ramadan started we would have breakfast together every day, prepared by the lovely Marwa. Now with Ramadan, she cooks the most delicious food for Iftar that we all have together. The apartment was very comfortable and in the perfect location near the center.

I loved my stay and very much hope to experience this again in the near future, to extend my Arabic and engage more in the amazing Palestine! Inshallah!

I went to Hebron for a month in December 2024 and learned Arabic with Haya, . I had just finished Arabic 101 at my university but felt like I barely learned anything. Haya taught me more in 4 weeks than I learned in that entire 10 week course at my university. The book she uses for Palestinian Colloquial Arabic has lots of helpful exercises and explanations, and Haya gives very clear explanations when you get something wrong. I think she provides a great balance of being friendly and fun but also a bit strict to keep you on track. Now that I'm back in the U.S. taking Arabic 102, my Arabic learning has slowed down a lot and I miss Haya's lessons. I hope I can go back and take more lessons Haya sometime.

Marhaba! My name is Sierra, and I am 24 years old. I am from Alberta, Canada. I have a degree in Psychology from King’s University, and I spent two weeks participating in the Human Rights Internship program here at the Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine.

I chose to intern in Palestine because I was very interested in the complex regional history and its impact on mental health outcomes and communal well-being. Having studied the effects of trauma and having travelled to regions experiencing conflict in the past, I have a keen interest in visiting places where resilience, hope, and empathy flourish amidst adversity. Palestine, with its ongoing challenges and rich culture, presented an amazing opportunity to contribute positively to meaningful change and gain invaluable life experiences that have transformed my understanding of the world. I specifically chose to intern with the Excellence Center because of its stellar reputation for providing international visitors with an authentic experience of Palestinian life. The Human Rights internship seemed like a good opportunity to gain hands-on experience in humanitarian aid, diplomacy, and international law.

My experience in Palestine has been extremely positive. I have been so touched by how genuinely friendly and welcoming everyone in Hebron has been during my stay. The staff at the Excellence Center were so welcoming to me and made sure I felt as comfortable as possible. The Hebron locals have also gone above and beyond to make me feel as welcomed, respected, and happy as possible. I have made friends at every coffee shop, shawarma place, and grocery store that I’ve been to. I want to give a special shout to Sara’s Cafe, kiddy corner to the Excellence Center, and all the lovely baristas there that have given me a lot of laughs and lattes.

During my time at the Excellence Center, I learned about Palestinian culture, visited various historical sites, interacted with various journalists and human rights advocates, spoke with local people about their lives under the occupation, visited Palestinians living in refugee camps, and taught English to locals, and enjoyed several lovely evenings by the fire, singing, eating, and smoking shisha. I also took Arabic lessons with my lovely teacher Jomana, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I even managed to have some very basic conversations with locals!

I understand why one might have reservations about travelling to Palestine during this challenging time. However, I felt entirely safe and comfortable during my stay. Hebron is just as safe—if not safer—than most major cities, and one should not have any issues if one takes normal safety precautions and follows the guidance of locals who know the situation here well.

Regarding my accommodation, I shared a modest apartment with my other female colleagues close to the center, equipped with a kitchen, nice bathrooms, a balcony, and comfortable beds. If you are coming in the winter, it does get cold, and I highly recommend bringing warm clothes! There are also plenty of lively cafes and shops that make it an enjoyable and pleasant area to reside.

I know I will be returning to the center in the future and highly encourage anyone who is curious about experiencing Palestine to join the Excellence Center family. I will cherish these memories forever. Shukran and beshufko, inshallah

My name is Alex and I am British. I am 38 and worked as a lawyer doing human rights for ten years before taking a career break. I spent two months doing an intensive Arabic course (four hours a day) at the Excellence Center.

The Arabic classes were brilliant. My teacher, Saja, was brilliant! I was a complete beginner and the amount of material we covered in two months was incredible. I will spend at least six months after this just going over what I have learned already to consolidate! I learned so much and I have gained confidence in reading, writing and speaking. Saja was very kind, patient, and knowledgeable. And I think she also knows more about the English language than I do! She was able to pitch her teaching to my level and was very encouraging. I couldn’t have asked for better quality teaching. In winter there are fewer students at the center compared to summer, and so most of the time my classes were 1:1. I was not expecting so much individual attention. I think being here is the best way to learn Arabic as you have the opportunity to practice all the time.

In addition to my Arabic classes every day, I was regularly invited to join other volunteers for trips around Hebron, for example to see the Old City and meet with local activists. It was very educational. I learned all about life in the city for Palestinians, what it is like to live under occupation, and how people find ways to live and enjoy their lives as much as possible, despite the limitations imposed. We visited the parts of the city that are controlled by the Israeli army, and I was invited into a number of family homes for dinner. I witnessed a lot of resilience and resistance by Palestinians in Hebron, which was very inspiring. At weekends, on Fridays and Saturdays, I went on trips to visit other parts of the West Bank, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, the Dead Sea, and Nablus. People cannot move freely in the West Bank due to the military control imposed by Israel. I experienced just a small piece of this - long delays at checkpoints as soldiers check cars and interrogate drivers, closed checkpoints, and as a result lots of traffic jams. I had the opportunity to see quite a lot whilst I was here, but you cannot make plans in the same way that you can in a country with freedom of movement. You have to be flexible depending on the situation and the day.

The environment at the center is really positive. It is like a big family. The staff are all welcoming and kind, and it is interesting to meet the other internationals who come to Hebron from all around the world. Every morning you eat breakfast together and there is a lot of tea and coffee all day! It is a social place and I have made deep and lasting friendships. Whenever I am in Palestine (and I definitely want to come back!) I will come back to Hebron to visit and learn more Arabic.

I arrived in Hebron just before the ceasefire deal was made in Gaza. There was an escalation in military incursions by Israel into the West Bank following this, particularly in the North of the West Bank. There were incidents in the South too - for example raids by soldiers in refugee camps in the South and shootings. Although I always personally felt safe as an international, I will be honest and say it is not easy to witness what is happening in the West Bank. I am fortunate and privileged to be born in a country that is at peace and I have not experienced the instability of living in a country where the situation can change rapidly. I would encourage people to come to the West Bank and experience this because you will develop your empathy and understanding of what life is like for Palestinians here. It is extremely unlikely that something will happen to an international in the West Bank, because we are much safer than anyone else, but I would say you need to have psychological resilience to do this. Witnessing such intense oppression is emotionally and psychologically challenging. And it is important to be challenged sometimes. The learning curve is high and I will be processing what I have learned for a long time. I have absolutely no regrets about going, and I am committed to returning and doing what I can for Palestinians’ freedom.

There have also been many beautiful experiences being in Palestine. Everyone talks about the hospitality culture for a good reason! Palestinians are so kind, so generous, and so friendly. I have been fed so much food! The food is incredibly delicious and you feel the warmth of the people’s generosity. When you walk down the street in Hebron, people come up and talk to you all the time and ask you where you are from, wanting to talk and make friends with you. I have been so moved by the warmth of the culture in Hebron. This is the reason I feel so strongly about doing whatever is in my power to be a good friend and ally to Palestine. The faith, beauty, and kindness of the Palestinians is truly inspiring.

If you are considering traveling to Palestine I can not recommend signing up with the Excellence Center enough.

Being from Ireland and seeing many similarities between Irish history and current events in Palestine had been thinking about ways to travel and engage with people from Palestine for some time. While I had researched many different ways and different programs once I contacted the Excellence Center I felt very much at ease. Before confirming any travel plans I had a long Zoom call with Rafat who put many of my concerns to rest with advice on traveling to Palestine, the programs they offered, and the accommodation I would have for the duration of my program.

I signed up for Media and Journalism as it is an area that I hope to expand on in the future. During my 10 days in Hebron, I was introduced to different journalists, was taken to refugee camps, given walking tours of the Old City, and got to visit different Mosques in the city. I'm embarrassed to say that as an Irish person, I've been trying to relearn the Irish language on Duolingo for the past year with very little success but after just four Arabic lessons while at the center I have already learned the basics of this beautiful language.

Fridays and Saturdays are “days off” in Palestine so it gave me a chance to also travel to other cities such as Ramallah and Neblus with other volunteers at the center giving us an insight into different areas and also how the occupation makes traveling around so difficult for no reason other than to be an inconvenience and intimidation for the people of Palestine.

The biggest takeaway I leave Palestine with is just how amazing the people of not just the center but of all Palestinians I was lucky enough to meet while there. The other volunteers and the staff at the center gave me a sense of family more than just a school/program. We were invited into people's homes for dinners, and introduced to their families, and seeing just how positive these people remain despite living under occupation was something that will stay with me for life.

Thank you to Osama, Jomanna, and all the staff and volunteers for making this an experience that I will never forget.

I have been learning spoken Levantine Arabic for about three months now online. My teacher is Doha. She is fantastic. I am making steady progress and she is patient and encouraging. Arabic is more challenging to learn for me. It is helpful that she is a proper language teacher and can explain things well. The materials she is using to teach are really excellent and the lessons are well planned. All that makes it very helpful as I am a bit older now and have never been a natural linguist! Thanks.