Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Palestine
  • Online
Length
1 to 13 weeks
Language
Arabic
General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Language Level
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Immersion Level
Intensive Online Standard
Specialized Courses
Business Medical Professional Specific Purposes Teaching
Class Size
Private Lessons Small Class (1-7) Medium Class (8-15) Large Class (15+)
Weekly Classroom Hours
30
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel
Age Min.
18

Pricing

Starting Price
450
Price Details
The program fees include: pre-departure support, accommodations with a host family, some meals, full coordination while volunteering in Palestine, and some visits to different sites in the city of Hebron.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Some Meals
What's Not Included
Some Activities Airfare Some Meals
Nov 25, 2024
Jun 02, 2025
31 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine offers immersive and intensive Arabic language programs in the heart of the West Bank. Located in the city of Hebron, these programs are designed for learners of all levels who wish to master Levantine Arabic (اللهجة الشامية), which covers Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, Palestinian Arabic, or Modern Standard Arabic. Whether you're looking to study for one week or up to 13 weeks, our programs provide an in-depth, hands-on learning experience where language and culture blend seamlessly

Through these courses, you will not only develop strong Arabic language skills but also gain firsthand exposure to Palestinian culture, politics, and daily life. With options ranging from super-intensive and intensive to more flexible, non-intensive programs, students can choose the pace that best suits their goals

The Center also offers online Levantine/Palestinian Arabic lessons, Summer Arabic programs, Winter Arabic courses, and year-round courses

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

With all our Arabic courses and volunteer programs, we aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Our programs and courses foster shared learning, for both our community and you. During your Arabic course, you will get to learn so much more than just the language. You will also get to learn a lot about Palestinian culture and customs and the political situation in Palestine. Additionally, you will have many opportunities while outside the classroom to practice your Arabic in a natural and authentic way while navigating your new life in Hebron. Your time with us in Hebron will also provide you with many opportunities of cultural exchange and mutual learning, both with local Palestinians as well as with our other international participants.

Program Highlights

  • Besides developing your Arabic language skills, students will experience various aspects of the Palestinian culture through their living arrangements with host families and various local trips as well as the Excellence Center’s in-house and local activiti
  • The Study Arabic Program in Palestine will give you the opportunity to live in and gain impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East.
  • The Intensive Arabic Courses offered in our programs: Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami) dialects, Ammiya, Classical and Palestinian Arabic using up-to-date teaching techniques in an intensive learning environment.
  • The Arabic Immersion Program will provide you the chance to visit unique tourist attractions with a particular native perspective – locations including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
  • Our center is staffed by well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.87 Rating
based on 223 reviews
  • 5 rating 87.44%
  • 4 rating 12.11%
  • 3 rating 0.45%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 4.8
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.7
  • Housing 4.55
  • Value 4.75
Showing 25 - 32 of 223 reviews
Default avatar
Irene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

Hello, my name is Irene from Spain. I am a graduate in Political Science and presently pursuing my Masters in Human Rights and International Law. This summer, I had the privilege to take the Summer Intensive Arabic course at the Excellence Center (EC) in Palestine.

During my five-week stay, my days typically started with Arabic lessons in the mornings. The lessons were well structured. I had been studying Fusha for four years before, so starting Amyia was a challenge, but here I have been able to communicate within a short period of time. I found the teaching method to be immersive, and I have learned many phrases and idioms that have greatly helped in grasping the nuances of the language. By the end of my course, I was able to converse about many topics in Amyia – a significant improvement from where I began.

Beyond the lessons, the EC organized visits to various places which further enriched my
understanding of the Palestinian culture and history. Being part of these visits allowed me to witness firsthand the socio-political context in which the language evolved.
The Center buzzed with a very positive energy. The staff and teachers were always eager to help, ensuring that I had everything I needed for a comfortable learning experience. The international volunteers and students added to the diversity of the Center, allowing for a rich and multicultural environment.

I visited several cities in Palestine, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, Nablus, Tiberia, Haifa, Yaffa, and Acre. Each place, with its unique history and charm. However, living in Hebron and staying with a host family was the highlight. Their warmth, hospitality, and the day-to-day interactions helped me understand the Palestinian way of life from a grassroots level.

Regarding safety and security, I felt safe throughout my stay. The local people are extremely protective and ensure that visitors feel welcome.

It’s hard to pick favorites from such a wholesome experience. But the food, the people, and their spirit stood out. Palestinian hospitality is so inspiring and heartwarming. Their resilience, amidst all adversities, was truly a lesson for all of us. One of my favorite memories was being invited for lunch by a family whom I met on the way from Jerusalem to Hebron. The day I went to their house, we picked fresh vegetables from their garden and eggs from their chickens. We cooked on their terrace under the vines and talked for hours and ate a delicious fresh meal.

As I look back, my time in Palestine and at the Excellence Center was transformative. The region, often reduced to its political struggles in the media, is so much more. It’s a land of history, culture, hope, and dreams. The Palestinian spirit, their zest for life, and their warm hearts have made a lasting impression on me.

Would I recommend the Excellence Center and this experience to others? Without a doubt. If you’re keen on understanding Palestine beyond the headlines, there’s no better way. Come with an open heart, and you’ll leave with a soul enriched.
While the Centre is doing a commendable job, having more interactive cultural sessions
alongside the Arabic lessons would further enhance the learning experience.

Pros
  • Housing provided by the Center
  • Breakfast everyday
  • Experience Palestinian culture
Cons
  • Security and border control at the airport
  • Would like to participate in more cultural or poiltical visits
95 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Irene,

Thank you for sharing your incredible experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine during your Summer Intensive Arabic course. Your review paints a vivid picture of your journey, and it's clear that it left a profound impact on you.

The Center's efforts to provide a holistic cultural experience are commendable. The visits to different places and immersion in Palestinian culture and history added depth to your learning and understanding of the socio-political context. It's wonderful to hear that the Excellence Center buzzed with positive energy and that the staff, teachers, international volunteers, and students created a diverse and enriching environment.

The way you describe Palestinian hospitality, resilience, and the connections you formed with local families is heartwarming. Your description of sharing a meal with a family and cooking together exemplifies the rich cultural experiences that can be found in Palestine.

Your recommendation of the Excellence Center for those who wish to understand Palestine beyond the headlines is valuable, and your suggestion of more interactive cultural sessions alongside Arabic lessons is a constructive way to enhance the overall learning experience.

Irene, thank you for sharing your transformative journey and encouraging others to approach it with an open heart. Your review serves as a testament to the enriching experiences that can be found at the Excellence Center in Palestine.

Greetings from Palestine!

Default avatar
Nadia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

I studied Arabic in Hebron for approximately 3 weeks. My time here was filled with wonderful experiences immersing in Palestinian culture, and meeting the wonderful people at the center and around Palestine. My teacher Saja was the best, and I enjoyed every class with her and my classmates. Classes were engaging and interactive, and I am a lot more confident in speaking Arabic than I was at the start of the program. I enjoyed traveling around and visiting the different cities and exploring the rich history present here. I felt safe and would recommend studing Arabic in Palestine to anyone interested. Thank you to everyone at Excellence Center.

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Wonderful people (staff, people in Hebron, students from the center)
  • Experience Palestinian culture
91 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Nadia,

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your Arabic study experience in Hebron. We are thrilled to hear about the wonderful journey you had during your 3-week stay. It's truly heartwarming to learn that you were able to fully immerse yourself in Palestinian culture and forge meaningful connections with both the people at the center and the local communities.

We're delighted that Saja, your teacher, left such a positive impact on your learning Arabic experience. We're glad to hear that you felt safe throughout your time here, and we appreciate your kind recommendation of studying Arabic in Palestine to others who are interested.

Once again, thank you, Nadia, for choosing the Excellence Center in Palestine, and we wish you all the best in your continued Arabic language journey and future endeavors.

Greetings from Hebron!

Default avatar
Chris
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience in Palestine

My name is Chris, I study Arabic as part of my degree at university and came to the Excellence Center to practise and learn more Arabic.
I had a great experience at the Excellence Center in Hebron during my two-week Arabic course. My teacher, Haya, was extremely helpful and attentive, and made sure each lesson was personalised for who was in the class. I feel far more confident with the language now than when I started two weeks ago. As well, the center's organized visits to local areas like the Old City provided insightful perspective on the situation here and the way of life.
One thing that stood out to me was the warm and welcoming nature of the people I encountered. From the staff at the center to the locals in Hebron, everyone made me feel like a part of the community and helped me with my Arabic.
As well, I was comforted by the strong sense of safety I felt throughout my time at the Excellence Center. Despite being in an initially unfamiliar place, I quickly realized that the center's location and the community's support created a secure environment for me to explore and learn. The Center was a good transport hub and I travelled from the public transport near the center to cities like Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
All in all, my time at the Excellence Center in Hebron was great. Haya's dedication, the insightful local visits, the welcoming people, and the sense of safety made this experience worth it.

Pros
  • Housing provided by the Center
  • Free Breakfast everyday
  • Welcoming community
Cons
  • Sometimes a little chaotic and very spontaneous
  • More difficult border policies than most experiences
78 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Chris,

We were delighted to read your review detailing your recent experience at the Excellence Center in Hebron. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts, and we're thrilled to hear that your two-week Arabic course with us was so rewarding.

It brings us immense joy to know that your teacher, Haya, played a significant role in enhancing your Arabic learning journey. Our instructors take great pride in tailoring lessons to suit each student's needs, and Haya's attentiveness and dedication are truly commendable. Your observations about the warm and welcoming atmosphere you encountered align with our core values. At the Excellence Center, we strive to create a supportive community that fosters both language development and a sense of belonging.

It's fantastic to hear that you took advantage of our convenient location as a transport hub to explore nearby cities like Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Haifa. We believe that such experiences contribute to a well-rounded understanding of the region.

Thank you once again for choosing the Excellence Center in Palestine for your Arabic learning journey. We wish you all the best in your studies and any future endeavors!

Warm regards from Palestine,

Default avatar
Martijn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

three weeks intensive Arabic course In Palestine

Great Arabic lessons in Palestine for a fair price. The center provided pleasant housing, and a daily breakfast with the occasional field trip. I would greatly reccomend it for anyone looking for Arabic lessons in the region. The travel to Palestine was supringly relaxed. I made some great friend around the Center.

Traveling to Palestine wan't nearly as bad as I expected. The were no problems at the airport. The trip from Tel Aviv to Hebron was organised by the center, this was pleasant and fast, but a little pricy. Most importantly, Hebron felt like a very safe and pleasant city

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Housing provided at the center
  • Amazing Community of fellow students
Cons
  • Sometimes a little ad-hoc
  • Stress about travel to Palestine (although in reality it's not bad)
81 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Martijn,

Thank you for sharing your experience of studying Arabic at the Excellence Centre in Palestine. It's wonderful to hear that you had a positive and fulfilling time during your Arabic language program.

Your appreciation for the Arabic lessons at a fair price reflects the value that the Excellence Centre provides to its students. The combination of pleasant housing, daily breakfast, and occasional field trips adds a holistic dimension to your learning journey.

Building friendships around the Excellence Center is an added bonus of your time in the West Bank, Palestine. Connecting with fellow students and making great friends undoubtedly enriched your experience and made your stay even more memorable.

Thank you, Martijn, again for sharing your thoughts, and I'm glad to hear that your Arabic language journey in Palestine was a rewarding one.

With kind regards,

Default avatar
Raul
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

My name is Raul Barrena and I am from the Basque Country. I have been in the Excellence Center for one week in order to study the Palestine arabic dialect and in this short period of time I have had such a good experience. The organization of the center is really good as well the teachers of the Center. I have found very nice people from many countries whose have improve my stay in the Center.
I would like to come back someday and I would also like to thank all the staff of the Center for their brilliant work.

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Wonderful people (staff, people in Hebron, students from the center)
  • Welcoming community
82 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Raul,

Thank you for sharing your positive experience at the Excellence Center in Palestine. We're delighted to hear that your one-week stay for studying the Palestine Arabic dialect was so rewarding.

We greatly appreciate your kind words about our organization, teachers, and fellow participants. We look forward to welcoming you back someday. Your gratitude means a lot to our dedicated staff. Thank you for sharing it

Best regards,

Default avatar
Glen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Intensive Arabic

My name is Glen Sellers. I am from the United States. I have been studying at the Excellence Center for 11 weeks. It has been a fantastic experience for me. I was concerned that my age (70) may be a problem with fitting in with the other students. Now that I am at the end of my program, I can say that I have fully enjoyed everyday and every activity that the center has done.
Almost every week the center has arranged a special presentation or a visit to an educational site. I have learned so much about the life of Palestinians and the struggles they have with Israel. I did not understand how the land was divided into A, B, and C areas and all the restrictions on travel and work that exist.
I also have learned how safe it is in Hebron. Never have I felt unsafe. The people are so friendly. Even the children greet you and try and talk with you in English. People like to make you feel welcome in Hebron and will help you in amazing ways.
I had the same teacher all 11 weeks. She was always professional and her English was easy to understand. She has a lot of patience and is very skillful as she teaches Arabic. Because of her excellent English skills, she is able to explain the differences between the two languages and how the grammar works. I have met all the teacher here, and they are all well qualified.
The apartment that I lived in was new. The final touches were finished while I lived there. It is a 10-minute walk to the center. The facilities were very nice. There is a kitchen with a fridge and a cooking top. It does have limited cooking pans. The washing machine worked very well. There is a drying rack on the balcony.
I travelled every weekend to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and some other cities. I have always felt safe and found helpful people whenever I needed directions or help with transportation. It is easy to get city to city.
The center has had weekly dinners for the students. It has been a great way to get to know the other students and experience Palestinian food.
The trips to refugee camps, Bedouin camps, and visiting Palestinians in a settlement all were very educational. These are things that seeing them in person has taught me much more than I could possibly learn by just learn by reading or watching a documentary on the topic.
I highly recommend this program. You won't regret your time spent studying Arabic at the Excellence Center. You will definitely love Palestine!

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • History of the place
  • Experience Palestinian culture
82 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Glen,

Thank you for sharing your insightful and heartfelt review of your 11-week experience studying Arabic at the Excellence Center. Your perspective and reflections provide a genuine and comprehensive understanding of the Arabic program and its impact.

Your appreciation for your dedicated Arabic teacher's expertise, patience, and language skills reinforces the quality of instruction at the Excellence Center. It's clear that the staff's passion for teaching and cultural exchange has made a lasting impact on your language learning journey.

It's heartening to read about the meaningful connections you formed through weekly dinners, interactions with local communities, and visits to various Palestinian Refugee Camps. Your emphasis on the educational value of these experiences, as opposed to simply reading or watching documentaries, speaks volumes about the immersive nature of the Arabic program in the city of Hebron, West Bank.

Your strong endorsement of the Excellence Center in Palestine and your recommendation to others considering the program resonates deeply. Thank you once again for sharing your candid and positive feedback. Your words serve as an encouragement to those seeking a similar enriching experience.

With kind regards,

Default avatar
eli
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

My name is Eli Gottfried. I am from the United States. For thirty years I worked as a soil scientist. Currently I work as a paraprofessional working with children with learning disabilities.
I was here at the Center of Excellence during the summer of 2023 for a period of 8 weeks (about 2 months). I was involved in the program Intensive Amiyah. I studied formally 4 hours per day, as well as an additional 4 hours of individual studies. Within this program, I participated in 6 tours of Hebron and surrounding communities. These included tours of a glass-blowing factory, the Old City of Hebron, the Ibrahimi Mosque, Bedouin settlements, a refugee camp, and a nature hike.
Prior to coming to Hebron and the Center of Excellence, I had studied Fus’ha for 6 years. My goal in coming here was to immerse myself in the language, people, and culture of Palestine, and to learn Amiyah. I feel that the Center provided excellent opportunities for me to achieve my goals. The teachers were skilled and dedicated. And provided very useful exercises for perfecting the language. In addition, they were available any time after class. The tours provided key insights into the culture, people, and problems faced by Palestinians and Palestine
My experiences at the Center were very positive. The teachers were enthusiastic, friendly, helpful, and dedicated. And there was ample opportunity to interact with other students and with staff.
As someone who walks every morning, I also had the opportunity to meet and interact with people in the community. I routinely met and talked to people coming and going from prayer, cab drivers at their taxi stands, and people just sitting outside their homes. Very often I was invited in for tea, coffee, some fruit. I felt very welcome in Hebron.
My memories of Hebron will always include the kind people I met and with whom I shared meals and good talk.

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Wonderful people (staff, people in Hebron, students from the center)
  • Welcoming community
Cons
  • Sometimes a little chaotic and very spontaneous
  • due to the situation there are few green spaces to relax
  • Prepare for the emotional impact of witnessing the experiences of the Palestinians
73 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Salam Eli,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience at the Excellence Center in Hebron during the summer of 2023. We truly appreciate your detailed feedback and are delighted to hear about the enriching time you spent with us.

It's fantastic to know that you had the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Arabic language, Palestinian people, and culture of Palestine while studying in our Intensive Amiyah Arabic program. We are glad to hear that the program provided excellent opportunities for you to achieve your goals. Our skilled and dedicated teachers are passionate about helping our students perfect their language skills, and it's heartening to know that their efforts were valuable to you.

We are honored that you felt welcome in Hebron and that you had the chance to interact with the local Palestinian community during your daily walks. The hospitality and kindness of the people you met reflect the warmth and generosity that are characteristic of Palestinian culture.

Your positive feedback about our enthusiastic, friendly, and helpful teachers, as well as the opportunities to interact with fellow students and staff, motivates us to continue providing exceptional educational experiences for all our visitors.

Once again, thank you for sharing your journey with us. We wish you all the best in your endeavors, both as a paraprofessional working with children with learning disabilities and in your continued exploration of languages and cultures.

Warmest regards,

Default avatar
Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

My name is Molly and I'm from Denmark, and I have been studying Arabic at the excellence centre for 4 weeks. I had three hours of Arabic classes each day with Saja who was a great teacher! We were just 2-4 students in class, and we had a lot of fun with each other and the other teachers and students. I already knew some Arabic before I came, so we did a lot of talking, both about ourselves, the political situation in Palestine and many other things. I definitely learned a lot, now I am able to have conversations in Arabic. Apart from the Arabic lessons, the centre organizes a lot of trips around Hebron. We visited a refugee camp, toured the old city and saw some of the settlements there, went on a hike to Palestine's largest cave and many other things.
In summer there are a lot of students at the centre, and everyone is very friendly. Every weekend, students go on trips to different parts of Palestine, so it's easy to find someone to go with. I went to the Dead Sea, Ramallah, Jericho, Jerusalem and the Sea of Gallilee.
I leaved with a very nice Palestinian family close to the old city with another girl from the center. It was really nice to have the opportunity to talk to them and practise Arabic as well as learn more about the life in Palestine. When you walk in the old city, people are eager to talk about their life here and offer you a cup of coffee, especially when they find out you know Arabic. You definitely get a feeling of the Israel/Palestine conflict, as Hebron is a highly contested area with settlers living in the middle of the city. This was really interesting and an aspect of the stay here I hadn't thought about before coming. It doesn't feel dangerous at all, as both sides of the conflict don't have a problem with Europeans and Americans, and everyone just wants you to leave with a good impression of their country. Traveling within the West Bank is really easy and a great experience, and everyone is really helpful. I would recommend it to everyone visiting Israel to see both sides of the conflict.
Overall I'm very happy with the experience. I have learned a lot, both Arabic, about a very important region of the world and about the Palestinian people.

73 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Molly,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience studying Arabic at the Excellence Centre in Hebron. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a enriching and fulfilling time during your four weeks there.

It's fantastic to know that you had a great teacher in Saja and that your Arabic classes were engaging and enjoyable. The small class size allowed for meaningful interactions and discussions, which must have contributed to your progress in conversational Arabic. It's impressive that you can now have conversations in the language!

Living with a Palestinian family near the old city was undoubtedly a valuable experience, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and practice Arabic even outside the classroom. The warm and welcoming nature of the people you encountered in the old city made your stay even more memorable.

We're delighted that your time in Hebron, Palestine left you with newfound knowledge and insights, not only in the Arabic language but also about the importance of this significant region and the Palestinian people.

Thank you for choosing the Excellence Centre and sharing your positive review. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and if you ever decide to return or explore other parts of the world, we'd be more than happy to welcome you again.

Sincerely,
The Excellence Center in Palestine team

Questions & Answers