The Excellence Center

Program Reviews

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shannon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

I came with my brother to practise Arabic and see more of Hebron and the reality in Palestine. We had a very eye-opening week-long stay and we will certainly be returning to Palestine! My brother stayed in the centre apartment and I stayed with a wonderful host family that really made us feel welcome and included us in all of the family activities. The other volunteers have all been wonderful to work with and extremely friendly. We would reccomend this to absolutely everyone looking for an insightful and knowledge-filled expereince in West Bank.

Pros
  • Excllent Arabic Teachers!!!
  • Free Breakfast everyday
  • Many amazing day trips
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Shannon,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that your week-long stay in Hebron, Palestine provided you with such an eye-opening and insightful experience. Our aim is to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our guests, and we are delighted that you felt so welcomed and involved with your Palestinian host family and the other volunteers.

It's heartwarming to know that you and your brother are planning to return to Palestine. We believe that cultural exchanges and immersive experiences like yours can foster understanding and create lasting connections between people from different backgrounds.

We truly appreciate your recommendation to everyone seeking a knowledge-filled experience in the West Bank, Palestine. Your feedback means a lot to us, and it encourages us to continue providing meaningful experiences for all our visitors.

Once again, thank you for being part of our community, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future for more enriching adventures in Palestine. Safe travels and see you soon, Shannon!

With kind regards,

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Arthur
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellence Center review

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Pros
  • Gained teaching experience
  • Close to other fun cities in Germany
  • Really nice community
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Arthur,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful and positive experience at The Excellence Center in Europe. We are thrilled to hear that your four weeks in Halle have been so rewarding and enjoyable, filled with amazing people and unforgettable moments.

It's heartening to know that your first teaching experience was fulfilling and that you found the German lessons to be well-structured and varied. We appreciate your feedback on the number of classes, and we will take it into consideration to enhance the program further. Muaz's teaching skills were evidently appreciated, and we are glad you had the opportunity to dive back into the German language.

We are thrilled to have contributed to your valuable experience, and your feedback on preparing volunteers to teach children is noted. We are continuously working to improve our training resources and will consider adding quick training sessions to better equip volunteers for diverse teaching scenarios.

The sense of community you felt at The Excellence Center, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere, shared meals, and events organized by Ali, Lord, Rafat, Muaz, and Radwan, is exactly what we strive to create for all our volunteers. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude have undoubtedly added to the vibrant and supportive environment.

We are honored to have had you as part of our program and are delighted that you are considering coming back to Halle in the future. You are always welcome Arthur, and we look forward to catching up with you if you do return.

Once again, thank you for being a part of The Excellence Center and for your kind words. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and please know that you have made a lasting impact on the lives of your students and the community in Halle.

Greetings from Halle, Germany

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Niko
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Internship

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Pros
  • Kindness of staff
  • Schedule flexibility
  • Location
Cons
  • Organization of center
  • Communication (particularly before the program start date)
  • Language class lacked as much individual attention as was expected
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Niko,

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt and enthusiastic review of "The Excellence Center in Europe." It's wonderful to hear about the transformative experience you had during your summer break and how the program provided you with such a unique and enriching opportunity.

We are thrilled to know that "The Excellence Center in Europe" program left a lasting impact on your worldview and instilled in you a sense of responsibility to contribute to a more inclusive and interconnected world.

Your recommendation of this program to others seeking a deeply enriching and rewarding language learning journey is greatly appreciated. Your review serves as a testament to the program's excellence and its potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of participants and the communities they engage with.

Once again, thank you for sharing your experience, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Warm regards,
Excellence Center in Europe

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Alice Verena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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Pros
  • see the reality
  • get to know a different culture
  • meet other people
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Alice,

Thank you for sharing your experience as a participant in the Human Rights Internship in Palestine. Your review provides valuable insights into the realities on the ground, dispelling some of the misconceptions and fears perpetuated by media reports.

It's heartening to hear about the warm and welcoming nature of the Palestinian people that you encountered during your stay. Your travels across various cities and the ease of public transport in the West Bank allowed you to explore the region and connect with locals, enhancing your experience as a volunteer.

Your positive experience with the Excellence Center and the opportunity to volunteer in Palestine have left a lasting impression on you, and your gratitude shines through your words.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story, and we hope your experiences continue to inspire others to seek understanding, empathy, and peaceful resolutions in the region.

Best regards from Hebron,
The Excellence Center team

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Lotte
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Lotte,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful review of your experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine! It sounds like you had an incredibly enriching and fulfilling time during your human rights internship. The combination of your academic background in law and Middle Eastern Studies, along with your passion for international law, made this opportunity in Palestine an ideal choice.

It's fantastic to hear that the program was well-structured and diverse, with Arabic classes, informative trips related to human rights, and teaching English in a nearby village. The exposure to different human rights organizations and governmental institutions must have given you invaluable insights into the situation in Palestine.

Overall, your review highlights the positive impact of your time in Palestine, both academically and culturally. Your journey of learning and immersion in the region is inspiring, and I'm glad to hear it was such a meaningful experience for you. Best of luck with your Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies and your future endeavors!

With kind regards from Palestine

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Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

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Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Molly,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience studying Arabic at the Excellence Centre in Hebron. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a enriching and fulfilling time during your four weeks there.

It's fantastic to know that you had a great teacher in Saja and that your Arabic classes were engaging and enjoyable. The small class size allowed for meaningful interactions and discussions, which must have contributed to your progress in conversational Arabic. It's impressive that you can now have conversations in the language!

Living with a Palestinian family near the old city was undoubtedly a valuable experience, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and practice Arabic even outside the classroom. The warm and welcoming nature of the people you encountered in the old city made your stay even more memorable.

We're delighted that your time in Hebron, Palestine left you with newfound knowledge and insights, not only in the Arabic language but also about the importance of this significant region and the Palestinian people.

Thank you for choosing the Excellence Centre and sharing your positive review. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and if you ever decide to return or explore other parts of the world, we'd be more than happy to welcome you again.

Sincerely,
The Excellence Center in Palestine team

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Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

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Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Julia,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful review of your experience at the Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine! It's evident that your decision to participate in the Human Rights Program was well-aligned with your interests in law and the Middle East, particularly concerning the situation in Palestine.

Living in the West Bank, Palestine allowed you to immerse yourself in the culture, connect with different people, and gain multiple perspectives and experiences. It's heartening to hear that the people in Hebron were open, hospitable, and willing to share their stories with you. The safety you felt during your stay and the willingness of the locals to interact with foreigners made your time in Palestine even more enriching.

It's evident that your time at the Excellence Center has left a lasting impression on you, and it's heartwarming to hear that you are sad to leave. Your review reflects the meaningful and unforgettable nature of your experience in Palestine.

Thank you again for sharing your feedback, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

With kind regards from Palestine
The Excellence Center

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Kya
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Human Rights Program Review

I was a bit nervous because of what I heard about Palestine and the fact that I had never traveled anywhere in the middle east before. But I learned and experienced so much that I would've never been able to anywhere else. It was also extremely safe and my host family was very helpful throughout my stay.
During my first week in Palestine, I understood how important community is and how it holds everything together. In the West, we’re much more individualistic and focused on the self; here, it is the opposite. One of my first visits was to a Human Rights NGO in the Old City. The man we spoke to was a non-violent activist who provided English lessons, first aid classes for women, and much more. He told us that for Sahoor they took community members to a local Palestinian village to learn about Palestinian agricultural practices and their history. This is just one example of how vital these resources are.

Overall, this experience was very impactful, and it was necessary to experience life here first-hand. I’ve made unique connections with people in the center and Palestinians all throughout Palestine. I won’t forget the time I spent here, and I plan on taking everything I learned and immersed myself in while I was here, with me when I go.

Pros
  • Housing provided by the Center
  • Free Breakfast everyday
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Kya,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences of your visit to Palestine. We are delighted to hear that your apprehensions were put to rest and that you had a transformative and enlightening journey.

It's heartening to know that you embraced the opportunity to learn and experience so much about the culture, community, and history of Palestine. The emphasis on community and its significance in daily life is indeed a unique aspect that contrasts with the more individualistic approach in the West. We are glad you got to witness and appreciate this different perspective.

We're thrilled to know that you had a positive encounter with a Human Rights NGO in the Old City. The work of non-violent activists in providing education and support to the community is truly commendable. The experiences you shared, such as the Sahoor visit to the local Palestinian village, exemplify the richness of the resources and knowledge available in the region.

Thank you for choosing to share your journey in Palestine with us, and we hope the memories and lessons you gathered in Palestine will continue to inspire and enrich your life. Should you ever decide to return or explore other parts of the Middle East, we would be more than happy to assist you on your next adventure.

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors with the knowledge and experiences you carry from Palestine.

Best regards,

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Andrew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

Nowhere on Earth will you find people quite like the Palestinian people, they are extremely firendly, generous, and kind. They will happily welcome you into their country and their own homes. The Arabic courses here at the Excellence Center are an amazing way to quickly improve all facets of your language skills. My teacher Duha was amazing! Everyday I learned new and important skills, I felt supported the whole way. I cannot recommend this program enough to others. I always felt safe walking in the city.

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Wonderful people (staff, people in Hebron, students from the center)
  • Welcoming community
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for sharing your heartwarming review of your experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine. We are thrilled to hear about the positive and unforgettable encounters you had with the Palestinian people, who are renowned for their warmth, friendliness, generosity, and kindness. Their welcoming nature and open-heartedness create a unique and memorable experience for anyone visiting their country.

We are delighted that you found the Arabic courses at the Excellence Center to be an amazing and effective way to rapidly improve your language skills. It's wonderful to know that under the guidance of your teacher, Duha, you were able to learn new and essential language skills every day. We take pride in our dedicated instructors who strive to support and empower their students throughout their learning journey.

Once again, thank you for choosing the Excellence Center, and we hope that the memories and skills you gained during your stay will stay with you for a lifetime. If you ever plan to return or need any further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Warm regards from Palestine,
the Excellence Center Team

Regenerate

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Addison
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

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Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Addison,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine. We are delighted to hear about your enriching journey and how it has positively impacted your Palestinian Arabic language skills and overall understanding of Palestinian politics and culture.

It warms our hearts to know that you found one of the best teachers you've ever had, Haya. We are proud of our dedicated and passionate instructors, and it's incredible to see how she helped you regain your confidence in speaking Arabic and nurtured your growth in vocabulary, reading, listening comprehension, and writing. The personalized approach she took in tailoring each class to meet your needs and interests shows her commitment to your success. We are thrilled that the foundation she laid has empowered you to continue building upon your Arabic skills independently.

We are glad that you had a welcoming and immersive experience with your host family. Palestinian hospitality is known for its warmth and generosity, and we are happy to hear that you felt safe and comfortable throughout your stay. It's heartening to see that the other teachers at the Excellence Center in Palestine were also supportive and willing to engage in meaningful conversations about various aspects of Palestine, contributing to your broader understanding of the country and its challenges.

Thank you for sharing it. We wish you all the best in your academic pursuits and future adventures.

Greetings from Palestine.
The Excellence Center Team