Program Reviews

My time at the Excellence Center in Hebron was a truly meaningful and enriching experience. I stayed for about one month as part of the Human Rights Program, and from the very beginning I felt warmly welcomed into both the center and the local community.

Being there during Ramadan made my stay especially unique. I was often invited to join Iftar meals, which were not only veryyy delicious but also a beautiful way to connect with people and experience daily life more closely. Even though the rhythm of the city changes during Ramadan and things are generally less busy, the Excellence Center continued to organize a wide range of engaging activities that made my time both full and rewarding.

Through the center, I had the opportunity to meet many different people and explore Hebron in a very personal way. I visited places such as local markets, typical factories, local artists, and different neighborhoods across the city.

Spending time in the H2 area in particular gave me a much deeper understanding of what it means that Hebron is divided, and how closely nearby settlements affect the everyday lives of Palestinian residents. What made these experiences especially impactful was learning directly from people who are living under these conditions.

Alongside this, I was able to teach English in camps around Hebron. The students were incredibly kind, motivated, and welcoming, and teaching them was both enjoyable and eye-opening. I also took Arabic lessons during my stay, which added another meaningful layer to my experience. My teacher, Joomana, created such a fun and relaxed atmosphere that learning never felt like a task, but something I genuinely looked forward to.

The accommodation provided by the center was very comfortable, which made it easy to feel at home during my stay. At the same time, the sense of community among the volunteers was something I deeply appreciated. Everyone was kind, open-minded, and supportive, and sharing this experience with them made it even more special.

Overall, my time at the Excellence Center gave me not only valuable insights into human rights and daily life in Hebron, but also genuine human connections that I will carry with me. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone – students, travelers, or anyone interested in understanding more about the region. It is a unique opportunity to connect with the warmth and openness of Palestinian people and to learn in a way that goes far beyond what you can find in books. To sum it up: I can’t wait to come back!!

I had a truly memorable 3 weeks completing a media and journalism course at the Excellence Center in Halle, and couldn't recommend it highly enough!

I spent a week learning Arabic and two weeks learning German, whilst researching and writing articles for the Center. Rafat, Muaz and Dušan create such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere within the center, making it the perfect environment to learn, teach and study. The hugely experienced language teachers approach lessons in a novel way and foster an engaging and exciting weekly routine. The opportunity to live and study with fellow volunteers was also a hugely rewarding experience. As I say, I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to experience Germany whilst using your time productively. I can't thank the team at the Excellence Center enough. I'll be sure to come back to Halle in the future and my only regret is that I couldn't stay longer!

I spent 1 week in February 2026 teaching English and learning Arabic at the Excellence Center in Europe (Halle (Saale), Germany). I am a 17-year-old female student from the Netherlands. Overall, I had a wonderful experience, met fantastic people from all around the world, improved my English teaching skills, and learned a bit about Middle Eastern culture (language, cuisine).

Accommodation: I stayed in an apartment in the Südstadt area of Halle (Saale), which was around 25-30 minutes away from the Excellence Center by tram or 50 minutes on foot. It is away from the center, but the commute is straightforward, so this wasn't really a problem. I had my own room, but rooms may be shared if there are more volunteers, and I shared the apartment with 2 other (both female) volunteers who were very nice. There was a shared bathroom and kitchen. Each room had 2 beds or a bunk bed, a closet, and a desk. There are a few rules for cleaning and being quiet at nighttime that are not too restrictive.

The Excellence Center/volunteer teaching time: The Center itself is in the city center, which is convenient for exploring. The volunteers (us 3 girls and 1 other boy) ate breakfast together at 10 in the morning from Monday to Thursday, which consisted of pita bread, hummus, plain yogurt, olive oil, and cut vegetables (tomatoes/cucumbers/bell peppers). I taught 1-3 English lessons of 1-1.5 hours every day except for Friday, when there are no lessons or breakfast for volunteers. (I was prioritized since I was only there for 1 week; some of my fellow volunteers had only 1 lesson a day or less, but this is quite flexible.) I had my 3 hours of Arabic lessons all in a row on 1 day, which was a fun experience. I got to learn some basics while making friends with my Arabic teacher.

The Excellence Center also employs paid teachers who give paid English or German lessons, but there are usually several volunteers at a time who give free English or German lessons to people, usually refugees or children. I taught 4 people in total, 2 young men (around 20 years old) from Syria, and 2 young boys (around 10 years old) with parents from abroad. It was an honor to connect with them, and I definitely felt that I was having a positive impact on their English learning journeys (and I would even go as far as to say their lives). It was also very nice to get to know the other volunteers and paid working teachers at the Excellence Center; this place attracts very nice people.

The city of Halle (Saale): It is a pretty small city, but it is charming and nice to be in. The volunteers got a tour from Rafat, the Excellence Center's director, on the first day, which was lovely. Everything to see in the city center is within walking distance of the Excellence Center. Everything is well-connected by public transportation, especially trams.

Staying at the Excellence Center in Hebron was a wonderful experience. I was enrolled in the super intensive Arabic program with teacher Haya. She was so patient, knowledgeable and kind. We practiced reading, writing, grammar, and speaking daily. I came here feeling very nervous to speak, but Haya helped me develop confidence in myself and my ability to continue learning even after I leave the center. In addition to class, I learned about Palestinian culture and history here in Hebron. I could not recommend the Excellence Center enough. I hope to return soon.

This experience has been unique and unforgettable. It has shaped my understanding of Palestine, its law, and most importantly, its people.

The center has allowed me to be exposed to the reality of the country, its challenges under occupation, and its most beautiful parts.

The people at the center make you feel at home from day one, being always welcoming and available for you to have the best experience. The Arabic teachers are very professional and amazing people that will become your friends.

You will be able to see, eat, live and experience anything you can imagine.

I cant wait to come back to my second home!

The communication before my arrival and during my stay was amazing! I had clear instructions how to arrive, felt very welcomed when I arrived and most important, I felt very safe.

During my stay the Centre made sure, that I had enough work to do and received all important information about the life of Palestinian people. The program was incredibly diverse: I taught English in private lessons as well as in the refugee camp, I visited the outskirts of Hebron several times and heard many different opinions. Is program is highly recommendable to people who want to experience the hospitality of Palestinian people and learn about the day to day during the conflict. You will feel, that you are truly helping and learning.

Volunteering in The Excellence Center has helped me in more ways than I thought. I thought coming here I would be the one helping people and changing peoples' lives, but instead it was the Palestinians and the people in the center who changed my life and helped me grow and become part of a new family. I have now left the center having found a new family, meeting a bunch of people from the city, becoming part of the community, and learning many stories of Palestinians and seeing many stories be created in front of me.

I have had the privilege of traveling around the world and immersing myself in many different cultures before arriving in Hebron. Without question, the Palestinian people are the friendliest and most welcoming group of people I have ever met. Everywhere you go, people make you feel like family—offering tea and coffee and never expecting anything in return. Everyone I interacted with was simply happy that we were learning about their culture and spending time with them. I made so many friends both inside and outside the Excellence Center, and I have already started making plans to return.

I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for Arabic lessons, but the teachers at the center are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and effective. After just three hours a week, I can understand, read, and speak more Arabic than I ever imagined I would be able to. My teacher quickly learned the best way to teach me, and I plan to continue lessons online when I return home.

Having the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of what the Palestinian people are going through can be difficult at times. I felt helpless and wanted to do anything I could to help. If you feel the same way, I strongly encourage you to take the time to visit Hebron and learn about their culture. Many Palestinians I spoke with told me that the best way to help is to listen and share their experiences once you return home. When I arrived, I expected to find many people discouraged or broken in spirit. Instead, I saw the complete opposite. People are making the best of their situation and refusing to let it bring them down. Witnessing their resilience, positivity, and hospitality was one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced.

Osama and Marwa are the best hosts I could have asked for. They make everyone feel like part of their family, and their hospitality truly makes you want to stay longer. Almost every morning we shared a group breakfast they cooked for us, enjoyed home-cooked dinners most nights, and gathered around a fire at the end of the day. I wouldn’t change anything about my experience here. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime.

Before volunteering in Hebron, I had the opportunity to travel around the world. I have been to six out of seven continents and immersed myself in more cultures than I can remember. One thing I do know is that the Palestinian people are the friendliest, most welcoming group of people I have ever met. Everywhere you go people make you feel like family, offer food, coffee, or tea, and never expect anything in return. My time here came to an end quickly, and I am already planning my return trip.

I love learning about history and there is more history about the Palestinian people than anywhere else I have been. There is much to learn just by listening to first hand experiences. I started learning Arabic while being here, with no prior experience. The teachers are amazing and after only 3 hours a week, I am able to understand and read more Arabic than I ever thought I would. I have enjoyed the teachers so much that I will continue online lessons through the center when I return home.

The Excellence Center was extremely hospitable. Osama and Marwa make sure everyone is taken care of and comfortable during their stay. They made me feel like part of their family and I never felt unsafe while being here.

My favorite part about being here (besides the great food), was hearing first hand experiences from Palestinian people. At times it is extremely sad and hard to grasp truly how bad their situation is, but they just want their stories to be heard. I loved listening and asking questions so I could hear from people, not news stations.

One thing that has stuck with me since I got here is the spirits of the Palestinian people. Even with their situation and everything going on, they aren't letting it bring them down. Everyone is extremely positive, welcoming, and strong willed. It's amazing to see.

I stayed in Hebron, Palestine for about Ten days and I wish I could have stayed a bit longer. During my time here we had Arabic lessons in the morning that were easy to understand and learn about, afterwards I was shown around the old city/Hebron and got to hear many stories about the occupation and how Palestinians have been affected. As a foreigner we are very privileged and do not face backlash. Our presence is very much needed because in a way it is a form of protection for Palestinians. There are many check points and will be very strict about who crosses, so always wear your passport and Israeli visa. As for the safety you shouldn't worry so much because we are foreigners.