Go for the eye opening experience

First let me state the old regime of Teach for Palestine (TFP) was terrible. Management made life in a difficult place an even bigger challenge. For example, placing our photocopier which we needed regularly on the other side of the city in someone's garage, also known as the TFP Office. Thankfully, there has been a complete turnover and the new management are people I worked with as volunteers, who I respected for their dedication when we worked together.

I was placed in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Nablus and worked in a rundown community centre with a large half-covered gap in the wall and a missing window pane. Conditions like this make the experience though, you get to see the real Palestine. 5 days a week I would teach 3 classes to varying class sizes and levels. There was supposed to be a low, medium, and high class, but I found I had a low, medium low, and medium class. I was often overwhelmed by the behaviour management issues I had to deal with on a daily basis. However, the kids are the best part and despite everything I had to deal with they made everything worth while.

Everyday, after work, I would walk back to our apartment through the ancient Souk (market). Down cobble stone lanes lined with vendors and a street with an street with a mosque and a church. I would stop by a falafal stand for a 2 1/2 shekel falafal sandwich. It is a routine I miss. I recommend Teach for Palestine for the people you will work with, the students you will have the pleasure of teaching, and the incredible region that is Israel/Palestine