Program Reviews

My name is Allie Kay, I am from the United States and I chose to come to the Excellence Center for a month to engage in their journalism program and Arabic classes. I had a wonderful time at the center and learned a lot! Osama took me and other volunteers on interesting touring activities such as visiting the Ibrahimi mosque, the Hirbawi keffiyeh factory, the Hebron glass blowing factory, and showed us the market in the old city of Hebron where H1 meets H2. After a couple tries we were able to pass through the checkpoint to Shuhada street, which is an Israeli-only street in the heart of Hebron, and had a wonderful meeting with a Palestinian family living under the boot of occupation. Osama also took us a little bit outside of Hebron to visit the Al Fawwar Refugee Camp. Because I came for the journalism program, the Excellence Center introduced me to many male and female Palestinian photojournalists! I was so inspired by their work and look forward to continuing to network and foster professional connections with everyone I have met.

After a month of volunteering and studying in the West Bank, my lasting impression of the Palestinian people is that they are kind, hospitable, helpful, and courageous to continue to live and love others the way they do.

My overall experience at the Excellence Center was so wonderful that I can’t wait to come back next year! Marwa and Osama feel like my family now, and I am excited to try to come back and do some ride along work with the photojournalists I have been introduced to. Palestine was all I thought about for the year and some change before I came to volunteer, and now Palestine fills my heart as well as my mind. I highly recommend coming to the Excellence Center for anyone that is interested in getting out of their bubble on the imperial core, and experiencing firsthand the absolute kindness that embodies Palestine as a whole. I know that once I get home I will spend this next year telling everyone I can about the hospitality of Palestinians and will be gathering a group of friends to come back with me to experience the absolute magic of Palestine.

My experience at the Palestinian Excellence center has been nothing short of extraordinary. This is my first time in Palestine and I have been deeply moved by the warmth and hospitality of the people here who have made me feel like a part of their family.

The Centre offers an extensive array of opportunities catered to provide support and development to various communities living in Hebron as well as the opportunity to learn Arabic and teach English.

I had enrolled to the 6-hour Arabic Lessons and I have been absolutely blown away by the quality of the teaching. The teaching has been thoughtfully tailored, conducive to ensure I make significant progress in a short period of time. The teachers were highly skilled, patient and understanding to my needs. A special thanks to Jomana, Safa and Duha.

In addition to this, the course provided me with invaluable insights into life in Palestine allowing me to connect with locals, hear their personal stories and develop a profound appreciation for the resilience and strength of the community here.

In terms of safety, I felt incredibly secure throughout my entire stay at the Palestinian territories. At no point did i feel threatened or uneasy, on the contrary I felt warmth and peace.

Thank you so much Marwa, Osama , Khaitm for all the love, generosity and hospitality you have shown me and for all the delicious food that you had cooked for me.

I can not recommend this remarkable institution for anyone seeking enriching experiences and meaningful connections.

This experience was definitely more than I expected i.e. the hospitality from the organization and from the local community, the sites that we visited, the volunteer work in the refugee camps, the Arabic teachers and lessons, the food and drinks, the knowledge gained from the time spent here. I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to volunteer or seeking the truth to apply to this program. In terms of safety, it is quite safe here, with regards to the community, it is very open here, everyone including kids are more than often outdoors. with regards to the Israeli soldiers, with my encounters, more than often they are respectful and simply doing their jobs to ensure safety of both the Israeli's, Palestinians and Foreigners.

I have really enjoyed my time here at The Excellence Centre. Every single person has made my stay here a unique and beautiful experience. From the patience and encouragement of my Arabic teacher Duha to all of the friendly, hardworking students. From the insights of Palestinian life in Hebron led by Osama's cultural tours to Marwa's homecooked food and having breakfast with Khitem.

I was here with another volunteer and we stayed in our own apartment. We were the only 2 volunteers here as due to the ongoing Israeli violence, flights have been cancelled and getting here can be a bit tricky. I ended up flying to Amman then crossing the border via King Hussein Bridge, catching a bus to Jericho and then a shared taxi to Hebron. Even though it was a longer journey, everyone was friendly and helpful along the way and I got so many "Welcomes" it actually made my day!

I chose The Excellence Centre as it had the most comprehensive and varied volunteer programmes and after messaging Rafat, we arranged a time to have a telephone conversation, and he answered all the questions I had and I felt reassured that I had made the right decision.

It's important to come here without European or Western expectations of structure as things can change last minute or can move at a different pace. You will learn each day what you will be doing as opposed to a set continuous plan. Going to Ibrahim Mosque can be challenging as you have to go through 3 checkpoints and the mood of the Israeli guards can change in a moment. It can be an uncomfortable, tormenting experience which lasts moments for me but is an everyday lived experience for Palestinians.

Regardless of the challenges, this was such a rewarding and rich experience that for sure I will be coming again.

I had a fantastic time volunteering to learn German and teach English at the Excellence Centre in Europe (Halle, Germany).

Each weekday started with a delicious communal breakfast prepared by our hosts, creating the perfect setting to connect with fellow volunteers and staff. The breakfast was followed by a mix of teaching English, learning German, and plenty of free time to explore the charming city of Halle. The supportive community atmosphere at the Centre was balanced with a great deal of independence, allowing me to develop my own lessons and explore local culture.

German lessons with Muaz were a highlight — his engaging and clear teaching style is truly magical. On the other hand, teaching students at the centre was very rewarding. It was wonderful to build people-to-people connections and see people come out of their shells as their confidence in communicating in English increased.

The sense of camaraderie with my fellow volunteers was strong, especially during farewell meals and group outings. I also really appreciated that, as a solo female traveller, I felt not only safe but also supported and inspired by the other volunteers I stayed in the dorms with. Rafat has built something truly special here, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this program!

My name is Jessica, I'm Belgian, I have a degree in Communications and work in the field of financial inclusion.

During my three-week stay at the center, I had the chance to assist English language teacher courses for teenagers, and to conduct individual interviews with young university students.

Living in Palestine could not be done this time (it's not my first stay in Palestine) without learning the language. Saja, my teacher, has taught me so much, being both, exigent and cool at the same time. By the way, I've decided to continue my lessons online before my next stay here.

Icing on the cake was the kindness, availability and generosity of the staff, each of them ! And what can I say about the students ... endless smiles.

Living in Hebron is a bit like living in a family cocoon on a large scale! You feel surrounded and safe at all times. Being able to go out for tea in the evening without having to close the car door (something unimaginable in Europe).

My hosts, Marwa, Ossama, Myse and Karim, reminded me of what a family was like, so much so that I felt part of this beautiful family myself.

I had the opportunity to revisit Jericho and Jerusalem (great emotional moment at Al Aqsa on a Friday for Dhur ...). I also visited Ramallah and Nablus. The latter combines tradition and modernity. Mohamad went out of his way to introduce me to a historian ... even though I'd just asked him a question about the origins of the old town.

I’m grateful for everything and look forward to seeing my second home (Palestine) and Family very soon.

Salam, I’m Rebekah from New York! I came to volunteer in Hebron October 2024. I’ve always been interested in Palestinian culture and the complicated history of the area, and I was looking for an opportunity to not only visit, but also volunteer in the community. It has been such a meaningful experience hearing from those actively living under the Israeli occupation and better understanding the Palestinian way of life in the West Bank. Hebron has been a wonderful home; Palestinians are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and despite the situation in Gaza and the regional tensions, Hebron feels very, very safe. The accommodations are so nice and conveniently located. The center feels like a family, eating meals together and going on excursions. There are many guides to show you around the area and teach you about the history and current state of the city. Everyone is eager to help you with everything, from giving cafe recommendations to practicing your Arabic. And the Arabic classes are so helpful! The teachers are wonderful. I would recommend working with the Excellence Center to anyone interested in volunteering in Palestine.

I was looking for an in-country German course to improve my language skills but found much much more at the Excellence Centre. As a retiree amongst mostly gap year overseas students, I was welcomed with open arms and made to feel part of the extended family. I had the opportunity to teach conversational English to a young refugee school student, which was a pleasure and we had many laughs! My German lessons were also made entertaining by Moaz and the other students, in my mind the best way to learn and improve! The support provided by the centre went over and beyond. I felt really well cared for and appreciated by everyone. It is a place and experience I now hold close to my heart. If chance comes my way again, I would love to return for more.

I spent 4 weeks at the Excellence Center teaching English and studying German. I'm currently on a gap year and graduated with my Bachelor's in Psychology last December. I had gotten a TEFL certificate a while ago and wanted to put it to use, and I felt like this program was a good opportunity to practice teaching in a comfortable and flexible environment, and I was right. Rafat was incredibly welcoming and the environment was very relaxed. Even in the off-season, there were several volunteers at the center who all came from a range of backgrounds and ages. I took German lessons with Muaz which were always engaging and entertaining. You are responsible for your lessons and schedule, so I would come into this program with a self-motivated and open-minded mindset. Beyond just language learning, you will find so much cultural exchange here as well. During my time here, the center moved to a new beautiful location which is a perfect representation of the continued growth and improvement of the program. All the staff, volunteers, and students are like a small family and you can tell that this experience leaves an impression on everyone involved.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, and Public Policy. I was born in India and spent most of my life in the United States. I participated in the Volunteer and Study Arabic program at the Excellence Center.
At the Excellence Center I engaged in activities to teach students English, to learn Arabic, and to understand the culture and life here by visiting places, camps, and engaging with local community.
I found a lot of value in my Arabic lessons and I feel like I have a beginner level understanding of the language and will continue my studies to improve further.
I found the Excellence Center’s environment very conducive for learning, teaching, and with the most amazing leaders and staff.
In my time here I was able to visit the various factories for local crafts, the Old City, multiple refugee camps, holy/religious sites, and even a wedding.
During my time here I took trips to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
I really enjoyed living in Hebron City, it is a full of the nicest people I have ever met.
During my whole time here I felt very safe in Hebron City and during my trips to other cities.
My favorite thing about Palestine is definitely the people – the kindest and most inviting.
I loved just walking down the street and random people invite me to sit for coffee or tea and just chatting away for hours.
I will definitely be back – it is great place to visit and volunteer opportunity full of beautiful people.
I highly recommend the Excellence Center to interested in this opportunity – The team here is amazing!