The Excellence Center

Program Reviews

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Siw
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Siw,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed and insightful review of your experience at the Excellence Center and your time in Palestine. It's truly heartening to hear about the positive and enriching journey you had during your stay.

Your dedication to learning and your appreciation for the Arabic lessons is evident. It's wonderful to hear how the introductory phrases and alphabet lessons proved to be incredibly helpful during your time in Palestine. The fact that your host family actively supported your language learning efforts speaks volumes about their warmth and hospitality.

Your engagement with Palestinian culture through various activities, including the family members' graduation party, is a testament to the genuine connections you formed with the local community. It's apparent that you embraced every opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the surroundings, from visits to different sites like Masafer Yatta and refugee camps, to your explorations of Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.

We are genuinely grateful for your kind recommendation of the Excellence Center to others. Your words will undoubtedly inspire and encourage future students to embark on similar journeys of cultural exchange and personal growth.

Once again, thank you for your thoughtful review. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that the memories and lessons from your time at the Excellence Center and in Palestine will continue to enrich your life.

Warm regards,

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Virginia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights & Refugee Program

My name is Virginia and I am from the United States. I have a Bachelor's in International Studies with an emphasis on the Middle East and Africa. I am finishing a Master's in Conflict Anaylsis and Resolution and have wanted to come here for many years. I have has an amazing experience here in Palestine. I have gotten to meet so many people and hear various experiences, which has provided more insight on the situation. I have felt so welcomed and safe here The Staff at the center was incredible helpful and I am already planning my next trip. Over all it has been an incredible experience . I would love to come back again.

Pros
  • Learning more about peoples experiences with the conflict
  • The incredibly friendly Palestinian people
  • The culture and food
Cons
  • Transportation can be confusing
Response from The Excellence Center

Dear Virginia,

Your journey to Palestine, along with your background in International Studies and Conflict Analysis and Resolution, is truly impressive. Your strong desire to explore this region has led to an amazing experience that has helped you see things from a broader perspective.

Feeling welcomed and safe shows that the Excellence Center in Palestine has created a friendly and secure environment. The fact that the staff's exceptional helpfulness left such a positive impression indicates how much they care about making sure people like you have a meaningful and enjoyable time.

Thank you very much for recommending the Excellence Center to others and for sharing your thoughts with us.

Warm regards,

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Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights/Refugee Program Review

My name is Ashley, I have a Masters in International Relations and Middles Eastern Studies. I participated in the Human Rights program at the Excellence Center in Hebron and I thought the program provided me with an amazing and indepth experience. During my time with the center I was able to visit the surrounding Refugee Camps and meet the residence. I got to hear first hand the challanges that they face on a day to day basis. I also was fortunate enought to take in person Arabic courses through the center, the methods that they use to teacher were very successful and after just one week I was able to have basic conversations with the people I met in the city. Most importantly I was afforded the opprotunity to meet and bond with some of the most hospitable and resilent people I have ever met. The Staff at the center was incredible helpful and I am already planning my next trip. Over all it has been an incredible experience.

Pros
  • Learn effective Arabic Skills
  • Meet incredible people
  • Explored a historical city
Cons
  • Very hot but tolerable
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Ashley,

Your journey with the Excellence Center in Hebron sounds truly remarkable. With your background in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies, the Human Rights program must have provided an enriching and profound experience. Immersing yourself in the surrounding Refugee Camps allowed you to gain an intimate understanding of the challenges faced by the residents, offering you a unique perspective that goes beyond academic knowledge.

It's impressive how the center's Arabic courses made such a swift impact on your language skills, enabling you to engage in basic conversations within just a week. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of their teaching methods. The personal connections you formed and the resilience you witnessed in the people you met further enriched your experience, fostering deep bonds that are a testament to their remarkable hospitality.

Your appreciation for the helpfulness of the staff and your eagerness to plan your next trip showcase the lasting impact of your time at the Excellence Center. Your review encapsulates the essence of your incredible journey, highlighting the invaluable insights, connections, and personal growth that have come from this experience. Thank you so much for sharing it

Greetings from Palestine

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juanita
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Women Rights

The frist thing i will like to share is that love eally make us see different, feel different, and grow different. During my time in Hebron with th Excellence Center I found love in so many ways... Every member of the staff support me in every moment, my host familly made me feel like in my home and I want to highlight the resilience that I noticed from every palestinian i met. It was a experience that changed my live.

I love my arabic lessons, the teachers and all the staff were very helpful and encoraged me to keep learning all the time.

Pros
  • Learn from other cultures, you hared with people from different countries
  • Faced the reality of a world that is not fair, that is unequal and learn about our privileged
  • You are able to be in a context that is very transformative
Cons
  • I think i stayed very less time, would want to have more time
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Juanita,

I'm thrilled to hear about your transformative experience in Hebron with the Excellence Center in Palestine. Your description of the supportive staff, welcoming host family, and the resilience of the Palestinian people highlights the deep connections you formed during your time there.

It's heartening to know that your Arabic lessons were such a positive aspect of your journey. The encouragement from dedicated teachers and staff played a crucial role in keeping your passion for learning alive. This immersion must have contributed significantly to your language skills and cultural understanding.

Your review beautifully captures the profound impact of your time at the Excellence Center, emphasizing personal growth and cultural exchange. Thank you very much for sharing it

With kind regards,

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Veronica
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Women's Rights Program Review

I spent three weeks at the Excellent Center in Hebron, Palestine, and i took part in the Women's Right program. In the first week, I attended several arabic classes for beginner: my teacher was welcoming and patient, and helped me to learn basic conversation tools that were useful for the entire project. In the following two weeks, I met several people and organizations who deal with human and women's right in Palestine, and I also had the occasion to organize a few workshop about women's right and gender-based violence for adolescents, together with other volunteers.
With respect to security and safety issue, I think it is important to share that in Hebron and in Palestine overall I totally felt safe, even when travelling alone as a solo woman.
I learnt a lot and would recommend the experience!

Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Veronica,

I'm delighted to hear about your enriching experience at the Excellent Center in Hebron, Palestine, where you participated in the Women's Rights program. Your engagement in Arabic classes, workshops, and interactions with local organizations highlights the program's impact.

Your assurance of safety and personal growth is reassuring, and your recommendation speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey!

Greetings from Palestine

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Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

4 weeks - Teaching English and Learning German

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Pros
  • amazing German lessons
  • nice location
  • good way to get experience teaching
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you for sharing your detailed and enthusiastic review of your time at the Excellence Center in Europe in the city of Halle, Germany. Your experience paints a vivid picture of the engaging and enriching opportunities the center provides for German language learning, teaching English, and cultural exchange.

It's heartwarming to hear that your time at the Excellence Center left you with lasting memories and a desire to return in the future. Your recommendation to others interested in learning German or Arabic, as well as teaching English, speaks volumes about the well-rounded and impactful nature of the programs offered.

Thank you for your kind recommendation of the Excellence Center in Europe. Your willingness to assist others with their questions reflects the supportive and helpful community that you were a part of.

We appreciate your thorough and thoughtful review, and we're sure that your insights will be invaluable for those considering similar experiences at the Excellence Center in Europe.

Warm regards,

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Dylan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic and Teach English

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Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Sarah,

Thank you for sharing your comprehensive and insightful review of your experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine. Your passion for human rights and your engagement with the diverse range of activities provided by the center shine through your words.

We're delighted to hear that the Arabic lessons played a crucial role in enhancing your experience in Hebron. It's wonderful that the center's Arabic teachers created an engaging and supportive learning environment, helping you bridge the gap between formal language education and practical communication in Palestine.

Your appreciation for the Excellence Center's welcoming and familial atmosphere is heartwarming. It's evident that Marwa, Osama, and the entire staff are committed to ensuring a positive experience for volunteers. Your bonds with fellow volunteers and the opportunity to engage with a diverse international community enriched your journey further.

Living with a host family opened doors to a deeper cultural immersion, allowing you to participate in local celebrations and events. Your perspective on the safety and trustworthiness of Hebron's community offers reassurance to future participants.

Thank you once again for sharing your remarkable journey. Your review serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking to embark on a similar path of cultural immersion and human rights advocacy in Palestine

Greetings from Hebron, Palestine

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Glen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Intensive Arabic

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Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • History of the place
  • Experience Palestinian culture
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Glen,

Thank you for sharing your insightful and heartfelt review of your 11-week experience studying Arabic at the Excellence Center. Your perspective and reflections provide a genuine and comprehensive understanding of the Arabic program and its impact.

Your appreciation for your dedicated Arabic teacher's expertise, patience, and language skills reinforces the quality of instruction at the Excellence Center. It's clear that the staff's passion for teaching and cultural exchange has made a lasting impact on your language learning journey.

It's heartening to read about the meaningful connections you formed through weekly dinners, interactions with local communities, and visits to various Palestinian Refugee Camps. Your emphasis on the educational value of these experiences, as opposed to simply reading or watching documentaries, speaks volumes about the immersive nature of the Arabic program in the city of Hebron, West Bank.

Your strong endorsement of the Excellence Center in Palestine and your recommendation to others considering the program resonates deeply. Thank you once again for sharing your candid and positive feedback. Your words serve as an encouragement to those seeking a similar enriching experience.

With kind regards,

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eli
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

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Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Wonderful people (staff, people in Hebron, students from the center)
  • Welcoming community
Cons
  • Sometimes a little chaotic and very spontaneous
  • due to the situation there are few green spaces to relax
  • Prepare for the emotional impact of witnessing the experiences of the Palestinians
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Eli,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience at the Excellence Center in Hebron during the summer of 2023. We truly appreciate your detailed feedback and are delighted to hear about the enriching time you spent with us.

It's fantastic to know that you had the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Arabic language, Palestinian people, and culture of Palestine while studying in our Intensive Amiyah Arabic program. We are glad to hear that the program provided excellent opportunities for you to achieve your goals. Our skilled and dedicated teachers are passionate about helping our students perfect their language skills, and it's heartening to know that their efforts were valuable to you.

We are honored that you felt welcome in Hebron and that you had the chance to interact with the local Palestinian community during your daily walks. The hospitality and kindness of the people you met reflect the warmth and generosity that are characteristic of Palestinian culture.

Your positive feedback about our enthusiastic, friendly, and helpful teachers, as well as the opportunities to interact with fellow students and staff, motivates us to continue providing exceptional educational experiences for all our visitors.

Once again, thank you for sharing your journey with us. We wish you all the best in your endeavors, both as a paraprofessional working with children with learning disabilities and in your continued exploration of languages and cultures.

Warmest regards,