Program Reviews

When I was arranging my visit I made a lot of assumptions, I was so wrong! Let me tell you about the family first- because that is what you will find here, a new family. Osama, Marwa, Doha, the teachers and staff make everyone feel comfortable. Respectful and kind - everyone goes out of their way to welcome you and the warmth and acceptance they show to all is humbling.

Definitely make use of the Arabic lessons - they are invaluable here in Hebron, many people will want to greet you and a little Arabic goes a long way with people in Hebron. The lessons are fun and tailored to your own level.

Hebron is a bustling major city and even for a short visit you can pack in a huge amount - visits to the old city, artisans, factories and the history of the place will fill your days. The surrounding region and countryside is beautiful. The Excellence Centre will allow you to do as little or as much as you like- I would recommend that you take the opportunity to do everything because it is an experience like no other. You can always sleep on Fridays or when you get home :-) But if you want to relax that is fine too.

These visits are so diverse in nature and through them you will learn so much about the situation in Palestine. These are opportunities for you to learn but also contribute in a meaningful way.

The morning breakfasts at the centre are so wonderful, a chance to catch up, plan your day, practice Arabic and eat really delicious food.

The accommodation is really comfortable and clean, a short distance from the centre.

Do I recommend the Excellence Centre? 100%. I have made friends for life in a short space of time and will always value the memories. I'm planning my return journey already.

From the very beginning, I felt part of a big family. Not only with the people running the Center, but also with the teachers and fellow volunteers. New volunteers arrive every week, and it is wonderful how quickly meaningful connections are formed. There is a strong sense of safety and unity, all driven by the shared dream of the pursuit of human rights for everyone.

This experience offers a rare opportunity to understand life in the West Bank from a deep inner perspective. You engage directly with families, schools, and refugee camps. In particular, the refugee camp program focuses on the history and daily lives of children and families living there. Volunteers have the chance to teach English, play games, support research on the camp, and bring joy through music and play. As a researcher in agriculture and food security, I chose this program to grow professionally by learning a new language and gaining valuable field experience in a camp setting.

One meaningful aspects of the program is how the Center tailors each experience to your background, interests, and learning goals. In my case, we introduced musical instruments and began planning music classes for the future in the refugee camp.
Also, you will have the chance to learn and share your life path with the other volunteers.

Beyond your chosen program, being part of the Center allows you to explore many different realities. You visit human rights organizations, factories and artisans, agricultural facilities, and experience local art, music, and food. This gives you a deeper understanding of how life is organized and managed within the unique and complex context of the West Bank.

As a volunteer, you live in a shared house with others, which creates incredibly strong bonds between people, stories, and passions.

I would highly recommend this program to young graduates and professionals interested in working in the field of human rights, but also to anyone who wants to build a future centered on helping others.

Marwa and Osama welcome you with open arms the second you are invited treating you like family. This program allowed me to immerse myself in the community, while also spending time at numerous refuge camps and villages with settlers. I was shocked by how much I learned every single minute of the trip. Not once did I feel unsafe, even while walking alone at night. The Palestinian people in Hebron greeted me with kindness, generosity, and complete hospitality. I feel so indebted to Marwa, Osama, and the people of the community for their kindness! Marwa and her family cooked so many delicious meals which they invited all volunteers to, in addition to hosting bonfires every single night, creating a tight nit cohort. I feel like I'm leaving with so many new friends from both Palestine and around the world.

In my one week the program helped to get valuable insights into life and issues in the Westbank while providing a fun and safe environment! Osama and Marwa as well as the whole team were very friendly very flexible and made many excursions possible!

One memorable trip was to a Beduin community, whose way of life is heavily impacted by settlers and policies alike. Nevertheless we had a lot of fun together there.

The daily breakfast and bonfire were making for a good start and end of the day! Definitely recommend, would come for more than one week next time!

I am beyond grateful for having been able to start the 2026 new year with these amazing people at the excellence center. They have become family in my two weeks in Palestine. They are so warm and welcoming, and the support is incredible. They put you're safety as first priority. To be honest this is the safest I have felt walking the streets of a city. Safer then walking the streets back home. The Palestinian people are so friendly and eager to help you along the way. Learning Arabic here was fun especially due to having the most amazing teacher, Shahed! It has been a privilege! The community has been incredible. I love these humans!

I came into this program not knowing what to expect, but the staff at the center became family instantly! They made sure we were safe at all times and went out of their way for me to have the exact experiences I wanted.

Osama and Marwa (as well as the entire center staff) are the most kind and genuine people I have had the pleasure of meeting. They truly care about Hebron and the people of Palestine. Their commitment to bringing tourism to Hebron and showing people the true facts about the occupation is truly making a difference. I am so excited to come back!

The experience with the Excellent Centre was inspirational and amazing. The kindness of Marwa and Osama, and their family was amazing. Their knowledge and understanding, both of life and culture in Hebron, and their understanding of the needs of volunteers, was great. Every volunteer becomes part of the family. From tours of the old city, to barbecues in the mountains with the extended family, to the Arabic lessons taught by Shahed - just an amazing immersion into Palestinian life. The programme was also amazing. I learned so much about what is really happening in Gaza, but in a way that was loving and so positive. Spending time in refugee camps, speaking with local people, understanding their situation - this will live with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Marwa and Osama and thank you for the kindness of your extended family and that of the other inspirational volunteers on this programme. This is an amazing Centre and an amazing country, and it is and one I will return to again and again.

The Excellence Centre is very well located, just off the main street and easy to find, with many shops, restaurants, and cafés nearby. From the start, the staff were incredibly welcoming and kind. Sharing breakfast together every day was a great way to connect with other participants, who came from diverse backgrounds. I met wonderful people, and our time spent sharing tea and conversations (especially our shared love for Palestine)was truly special.

I took Arabic lessons and also joined cooking classes, where I learned how to prepare delicious traditional Palestinian dishes. The center organized several visits to the Old City, refugee camps, Bedouin villages, schools, etc. Giving us the chance to meet inspiring locals and gain a deeper understanding of Palestinian culture and the struggles of life under occupation.

Hebron felt very safe, and the people were extremely friendly. My host family was absolutely amazing, and I feel I made friends for life. I can’t wait to return to Hebron for a longer stay.

Choosing Palestine and the Excellence Centre to learn Arabic and experience Palestinian culture was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Incredible people, delicious food, and an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it
The only downside is how hard it is to say goodbye.

Laila

This is my first time to take part in a volunteer program and I have received so many precious memories.

I have learned so much culture about Germany and skills about teaching English. I remember every person that I met here is so nice, warm and kind to me. They have created such a friendly and international community without discrimination that everyone feels like at home. Most importantly, I have made so many friends. Knowing them helped me to build the confidence to communicate with people and helping people more.

I’m Rogger, a 24 years old Social Sciences student and photographer from Brazil.

I just completed my Human Rights Internship at the Excellence Center in Hebron, it was a great experience.

Osama really made an effort to shape the program according to my goals and with the knowledges I wanted to acquire — The program is great and well structured, and so are the staff and the community that orbitate around the Excellence Center. The center is very well structured and equipped, and the presence they have in networking terms inside Hebron is impressive. Although it was a big part of it, I didn’t come here only for the HR Intership, but also to improve my Arabic, even though I stayed a short time my professor, Duha, did her best to help me mentally organize and understand what I already knew, and to teach me much much more. She’s an outstanding teacher and I can only thank her for the foundations of Arabic I’ve built here, and all the others for always being patient with me and teaching me new words every day.

A big thank to the excellence center and for the people who make it what it is, it was a very very enriching experience, and all I can say is to thank and to promise I’ll be back as soon as possible!