A wonderful place to volunteer and learn

Everyone at the Excellence Center is remarkably kind and welcoming. Shared meals and time spent at the Center reinforce a sense of community among volunteers and students. Moreover, everyone at the Center is eager to help one another. Rafat was incredibly helpful in coordinating opportunities that allowed me to complete the work required for my university funding, and the entire team was always a joy to be around.

My experience learning Arabic at the Excellence Center was exceptional. I arrived without even knowing the alphabet, and by the end of my 13 weeks, I could read, write, and speak about basic topics. Lessons are designed to maximize language use, making rote memorization—something I was accustomed to in university courses—far less necessary. It was unlike any other language learning experience I’ve had, and I found it far more effective than university language classes—not to mention highly enjoyable.

The Center fosters a great community, and there are plenty of opportunities to meet people local to Halle. These opportunities made Halle feel like home during my 12 weeks there.

I would highly recommend the Excellence Center to anyone looking to learn Arabic and experience life in Germany. I gained an enormous amount from everyone I had the privilege of meeting through the Center. The value lies not only in the volunteering and educational programs but also in the meaningful community interactions that are part of everyday life.