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.

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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 57 - 64 of 223 reviews
Default avatar
Chandler
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Arabic Hebron Review

Read More
Pros
  • Not only will you learn the language, you will learn a lot about the conflict here which is very relevant currently.
  • Very supportive staff.
  • Lots of international students to study alongside and hang out with.
Cons
  • Sometimes the airport can be a hassle (a few students encountered problems with their visa).
68 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hello Chandler,

It's delightful to hear that you had a wonderful experience in Hebron. The kindness and warmth of the people made you feel safe and comfortable, and the supportive staff at the Excellence Center added to your sense of security. The multicultural environment, with international students coming and going, created a friendly and open-minded atmosphere that fostered connections and friendships. Choosing this program allowed you not only to study Arabic but also to gain insights into the situation in Palestine and experience the local culture. Day trips to places like refugee camps provided valuable learning opportunities, while the cafes offered great study spots. Your Arabic teacher was exceptional, and taking classes allowed you to simultaneously deepen your understanding of Palestine.

Thank you for sharing your positive feedback, and we hope that others will have the chance to enjoy the same enriching and immersive experience in Hebron through the Excellence Center.

Best wishes from Palestine,

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

Amazing team

I took Arabic classes at the Excellence for only a week and I learned so much. Not only Arabic, but also about the Palestinian culture and community. All the teachers and staff members are extremely supportive and always offer their help in my learning and time spent here. They are more than teachers, they become your friend. Outside of class, we sit together and talk about life, and at times go out for various acitivities. Everyone has made me feel safe and welcomed. They are also very encouraging in the process of learning Arabic as it is a challenging language to learn.

Pros
  • Sense of community
  • Good curriculum
  • Suuport
74 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hello Caroline,

I'm thrilled to hear about your rewarding experience at the Excellence Center. In just one week of Arabic classes, you were able to learn not only the language but also gain valuable insights into Palestinian culture and community. The supportive nature of the teachers and staff members, who go beyond their roles to become your friends, played a significant role in your learning journey. It's wonderful that you had opportunities to engage in conversations about life outside of the classroom and participate in various activities together. Feeling safe and welcomed is a testament to the warm and inclusive environment they have created. Their encouragement throughout the challenging process of learning Arabic undoubtedly contributed to your progress.

Thank you for sharing your positive feedback, and we hope that your experience will inspire others to embark on their own language and cultural journey at the Excellence Center.

Best wishes from Palestine,

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

Review

I love this program and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning Arabic! Although all of my lessons take place online via facetime, I still benefit as though I am learning in person. My tutor Saja is very helpful and accommodating to my schedule. She makes learning Arabic fun, and I have really enjoyed my experience online. I have seen my confidence and skills in Arabic improve so much in just a few months. I am excited to keep learning and can’t wait to use everything I have learned!

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

Hello Jeanine,

I'm delighted to hear that you are loving the Arabic program and would highly recommend it to others! It's fantastic that even though your lessons are conducted online through FaceTime, you still feel the benefits of an in-person learning experience. Saja, your tutor, deserves credit for being helpful and accommodating to your schedule, making your Arabic learning journey enjoyable.

It's wonderful to know that you have seen significant improvements in your confidence and skills in Arabic in just a few months. Your enthusiasm for continuing your learning journey and applying what you've learned is inspiring. Keep up the great work, and I wish you continued success in your Arabic studies!

Wish you all the best,

Default avatar
Rosalind Dyveke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Intensive Arabic and Non Intensive Arabic

I stayed at the Excellence Center in Palestine for 3 month and did three different programs. The first month I did intensive arabic and the month after i did non intensive arabic. I had private lesson with my arabic teacher for the two first month. This was really good for my learning, especially since I find it very difficult to learn languages. The last month I did volunteering program.

This is the third time I am staying at the Excellence Center and I am planning to come back later this year. Hebron is a good city to come to, if you would like to improve your conversational skills in arabic.

I stayed in a hostfamily which I really enjoyed. This was really good for improving my conversational arabic skills.

Pros
  • Experience living with a host family
  • Wonderful people (staff, people in Hebron, students from the center)
68 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hello Rosalind,

It's wonderful to hear about your three-month stay at the Excellence Center in Palestine and your participation in multiple programs. The intensive and non-intensive Arabic courses, along with private lessons, proved to be highly beneficial for your language learning journey, particularly considering your difficulty with learning languages. It's great to know that you found the teaching approach effective.

The fact that this is your third time staying at the Excellence Center speaks volumes about the positive experiences you've had there. Hebron seems to be an ideal city for those looking to enhance their conversational skills in Arabic. Additionally, staying with a host family added value to your experience, allowing you to further improve your conversational Arabic skills in an immersive environment. Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we hope your future visits to the Excellence Center continue to be enriching and rewarding.

Best wishes from Palestine,

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

Human Rights Program Review

I am Bartek from Poland, I came here for 10 days for volunteering in human rights and with children. During my time, we went to a refugee camp, a school for blind children, an elementary school and I taught them basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self-defense system. I've been doing martial arts for about nine years and so I wanted to come here to share my skills and knowledge with the people in the community in Hebron. My Arabic lessons were amazing, Saja and Duha are amazing teachers. I even taught Saja some Polish! There is a family atmosphere at the center and it is very welcoming. In my free time, I went with some of the others to Jericho on a day trip. I feel very safe here, people in Hebron are very kind and friendly. The people are what I love the most about Palestine - they are amazing and I'm gonna miss them. I recommend you to come here and experience it for yourself! As a Polish person, I feel very connected with Palestinians because of our history, so I wanted to come here to support people, especially the kids and to put a smile on their faces!

Pros
  • Excellent teaching
  • Kind staff
  • Experience Palestinian culture
Cons
  • Accommodation 40 minute walk
70 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Bartek,

It's great to hear that your Arabic lessons with Saja and Duha were amazing and that you even had the opportunity to teach Saja some Polish. The family atmosphere at the center and the warm welcome you received must have made your stay even more enjoyable. Exploring Jericho on a day trip with others in your free time sounds like a wonderful experience. Your connection with the Palestinian people and your desire to support them, especially the children, is truly admirable. It's clear that your presence and efforts put smiles on their faces, and your appreciation for the people of Palestine is heartwarming.

Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey, Bartek. Your recommendation to others to come and experience it for themselves is a testament to the meaningful and rewarding experience you had.

Best wishes and hope to see you again in Palestine,

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

My Review For My Arabic Class

The Arabic classes I have been getting could possibly be the best thing that happened to me this year(and last year).I found the classes extremely helpful and fun and now I am actually speaking Arabic with the rest of my family. I still need to learn much more though, but these classes are really a treasure for me. Although sometimes my classes get laggy because of me living in another country and having to do online class, it still doesn’t bother me and I am glad that I get to do these lessons.

Pros
  • The teaching was superb
  • The classes were fun but at the same time helpful
  • I can now speak Arabic and it was only a few months
Cons
  • Due to me living in another country, I have to do the classes online, and sometimes it gets laggy
  • None
  • None
68 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

That's wonderful to hear, and I'm glad to know that your Arabic classes have been such a positive experience for you! It's fantastic that you find the classes helpful and enjoyable, and even more so that you're now able to speak Arabic with your family. Learning a new language and being able to communicate with loved ones in their native tongue is truly invaluable.
Despite the occasional technical challenges with online classes due to living in another country, it's great to hear that it doesn't bother you and that you still appreciate the opportunity to participate in these lessons.

Keep up the great work, and continue to embrace and enjoy your Arabic lessons. Learning a language takes time and practice, but with your positive attitude and determination, you'll continue to expand your knowledge and skills. Best of luck as you continue your language learning adventure!

Best wishes from Palestine,

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

Online Palestinian Arabic Dialect lessons

I took multiple sessions of online Arabic language classes with the Excellence Center in Palestine, so far completing 30 hours of classes, and I really enjoyed my experience. In fact I am currently continuing my studies with them because I love how much I am learning! My teacher is really supportive and friendly, and does a combination of teaching me the planned lessons and also encouraging me to choose topics and ask questions based on my interests and curiosity. I appreciate the flexibility of online learning, and I also hope to one day get to visit the center for an in-person program.

Pros
  • Friendly teachers and staff
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Useful learning materials
Cons
  • The only con I can think of is that I would love to be able to practice with other students, which is not currently offered for online students.
65 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Greetings Mariam,

I'm delighted to hear that your experience with the Excellence Center's online Arabic language classes has been enjoyable and fruitful. Completing 30 hours of classes and continuing your studies with them is a testament to your dedication and the effectiveness of their teaching methods. The support and friendliness of your teacher have contributed to your positive learning experience.

It's wonderful that the lessons are tailored to your interests and that you have the flexibility to explore topics that intrigue you. Online learning provides a convenient platform for language acquisition, and it's fantastic that you're making the most of it. Your aspiration to visit the center for an in-person program shows your enthusiasm for further immersing yourself in the language and culture. I wish you continued success in your Arabic studies and hope that your future endeavors, whether online or in person, continue to be rewarding and fulfilling.

Greetings from Palestine,

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

Study Arabic Hebron

I was here only for one week, but I liked it a lot. The people are very nice and helpful.
The classes are fun. I came here to get rid of my fear to speak Arabic. I know already a lot of words, but talking was difficult, but it is going better.
I enjoyed to be in Hebron. Went to the old city, alone or with my peers. It is easy to get from Hebron to Bethlehem and other cities. People are helpful and it safe walk around here and visit the cities. Eating out is easy, nice an cheap and you should do that :-)
It is fun to stay with a host family.

Pros
  • Staying with a hostfamily
  • Arabic lessons
  • Activities
76 people found this review helpful.
Response from The Excellence Center

Hi Hanneke,

During your one-week stay at the Excellence Center, you had a highly enjoyable experience. The people you encountered were friendly and supportive, contributing to a positive atmosphere. The Arabic classes were engaging and helped you overcome your fear of speaking the language. While you already knew many words, speaking had been a challenge, but you're making progress.

Exploring Hebron, both alone and with your fellow volunteers, was a highlight of your visit. You found it convenient to travel to nearby cities like Bethlehem, and you felt safe walking around and exploring different places. Dining out was also a pleasant experience, with a wide range of affordable options available. Staying with a host family added to the fun and provided a unique cultural immersion. We would love to have you here again.

Much love from Palestine,

Questions & Answers