I honestly didn’t expect to love this program as much as I did! What started as just something new to try turned into one of the most exciting, meaningful, and happiest experiences of my life. I’ve never felt more included, welcomed, and comfortable in a new place. Helping teach English and connecting with refugees made me feel so proud to be part of something with such a real impact. Rafat, the founder, is absolutely amazing—his energy, kindness, and passion for creating a space where everyone feels valued made the whole experience even better. I’m beyond grateful for the memories, friendships, and confidence this program gave me!

I feel so blessed to have been part of this program. Everyone here is so nice and welcoming and I immediately felt connections when I first came. Rafat, Muaz, and Ali are always here to help if you need it and want everyone to feel included. I learned German with Muaz and he was always patient with me and I love his belief that mistakes are part of the learning process. I also had the pleasure to teach some refugees English. I also made many everlasting friends. I highly recommend this program!

Volunteering at the Excellence Center was such a great experience. I’d never taught English before and was a little bit nervous but I really enjoyed it! It was rewarding figuring out my own teaching style and my students were great.

I also studied German at the Center. I arrived at an intermediate level but didn’t feel super confident using the language in real life. The classes were small, fun, interactive and really practical, led by a great teacher. Now I feel comfortable speaking German in everyday situations.

The vast majority of volunteers come by themselves, which means it’s super easy to make friends. Everyone is really welcoming and you will feel part of the team from Day 1.

Overall, a fun and fulfilling experience—would totally recommend it!

The Excellence Center is, well, excellent! The atmosphere for students and for volunteers is laid-back and low stress, but you will still learn a lot of German or Arabic by the end of your program. Muaz is a great teaches with a conversational and friendly approach to teaching. Additionally, he teaches all of the lessons at the beginning of your session so you can use what you have learned throughout the rest of the trip. The students who come to the Center are very eager to learn. Most of them speak Arabic and German and want to practice conversational English, which also helps you with your language studies. The Center has the people in its local community, and it is great to be a part of that.

This was my second visit to Halle and the Excellence center and this time I brought my brother with me to learn Arabic! The community is so welcoming and fun and it really is a LOW STRESS environment ;) I loved spending time getting to know Halle and the people at the center and I felt like I belonged even in a foreign country. Breakfasts with the group were my favorite part of the day as well as teaching and preparing my lessons for my students. Overall a fantastic experience and I look forward to returning!

Our week with the program was truly transformative — both for our students and for ourselves as teachers. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and supported by the entire team. Special thanks to Muaz, Raffat, Douchenne and Ali, whose dedication, warmth, and insight created a safe and inspiring space for growth.

The Circle sessions were powerful — a place where deep connection and reflection was built. These moments truly made the group feel like a community. The breath work sessions offered a unique opportunity for reflection and inner calm, something our students still talk about as one of the most surprising and impactful parts of the week. The electric exercise made us work together and have fun while connecting.

This program doesn’t just teach values — it lives them. It creates space for honesty, action, and transformation. We left Halle with open hearts, broadened minds, and a strong desire to return.

Highly recommended for any group looking to combine social engagement, personal development, and intercultural learning.

When I first arrived in Germany, I was greeted warmly and everybody at the center was extremely welcoming. After completing three months of teaching German and English, I can say that it has been an unforgettable experience, throughout which I have learned a lot.

Teaching different ages and people with different backgrounds has been so inspiring; every single person was so kind and motivated, which made it feel like catching up with a friend.

I also learned Arabic as a complete beginner, and my teacher, Muaz, was great; he made the lessons fun, and I can really feel my progress. He has inspired me to keep learning the language.

It was incredible to see how respected Rafat is by every single person who comes into the Excellence Center. The difference the center has made for so many people is absolutely incredible to see.

When I first signed up to this programme, I was as nervous as could be. It was my first time travelling outside the UK alone and I had no idea what to expect but the moment I walked through the doors of the Excellence centre I was welcomed like I was an old friend. The team managed to dissipate any kind of fear or hesitation I had from the first day. Everyday after was better than the last. I got to meet people from all over contribute to the community by teaching English and study German all at the same time.

Studying German was one of the aspects I was most nervous about, it was something I had always been bad at school. Yet with both an absolutely phenomenal teacher and the other volunteers to practice with I found myself not only feeling a real sense of progress in learning the language but genuinely having fun.

Teaching English was another great part of the programme, we had both help in teaching but equally alot of freedom to teach as we thought best suited our students and their needs. Additionally it felt like a collaborative effort where we as the volunteers would constantly exchanging ideas for lessons and directions we could go for our different students.

My absolute favourite memories at the centre have to be the breakfasts. Being able to sit down as a group and share a meal is such a great way of getting everyone to gel together and become friends, I don't think there was a single breakfast where we weren't all laughing together at some point or another.

The excellence centre has an absolutely wonderful team who gave me an amazing experience. When my time at the centre was finished I was already thinking of when I could next return.
I genuinely cannot thank everyone at the centre enough for the experience they gave me.