Volunteer & Study Arabic In Palestine (1-13 Weeks)

I was a bit nervous when I got to Hebron, but the volunteers and staff of the Excellence Center made me feel welcome and safe. The Arabic classes were helpful for me in basic communication and have inspired me to improve my Arabic. The environment in the center felt like home. The staff took us to different places, villages, and organizations to see how the community works together. I was surprised to meet a man who worked with and saw Banksy. The director of this organization was able to find places that needed help and I'm grateful that I was able to work and help with the Green Land health development organization and the Palestine Medical Relief Society(PMRS). I had fun and felt safe with the guys I lived with at the apartment and we had a pretty good time. The food was great and I still haven't had even of their delicious food. I have made some friendships here that I feel like that will last forever. My overall experience here was indescribable.

My name is Sean Montgomery. I am from Carson City Nevada USA. I came to Palestine to volunteer for the people in the refugee camps, mainly teaching English to the children. I chose the "Excellence Center" because I liked the program activities they outlined for me to do during my stay here. The accomodations and hospitality far exceeded what I was expecting and the locals that work here are absolutely amazingly beautiful people. From the day I arrived to my departure they assisted me with everything needed. The dinner parties and memories we've made together will stay with me many years. Lots of peace and quiet at the apartment and I was blessed with the most colorful and entertaining roommates. It was very hard to say goodbye.
I've spent a month in Palestine and had the pleasure to travel to most of the major cities. I visited many refugee camps and taught in many schools. The kids loving energy was always the highlight of my days. By far it's been the most spiritual experience I've had in all my travels throughout the world. Never before have I felt so welcome and loved by everyone here. I am not exaggerating when I say that I felt more safe here than I do in my own City which is only a small fraction of the population. I have never before been treated with more respect and kindness out of the hundreds I've met during my stay here.
Before arriving I knew very little about this country and its history. I thought I had an idea of the current war with israel. I had no idea whatsoever. The information provided to us by the news is so far away from the truth it makes me sick. I was so deeply Disturbed to see how these kindhesrted people have been treated for the past 70 years, it occasionally brought tears, not being able to control my emotions. I wore a rubber band around my wrist to "snap out of it". Just earlier today I was on a public transportation van or "Servise" and a total stranger sitting across from me introduced himself with a warm smile and invited me for dinner in his house. This has been very common during my stay here. I've had the pleasure to sit with at least a dozen families in their house. Always feeding me as much as I could eat, giving so much trust and hospitality to a total stranger. It rips me apart inside when I think of the many live recorded videos I've seen from phones in the hands of innocent civilians that have experienced so much loss and trauma, yet still somehow hold their faith high above the hatred that has infiltrated this country like a black plague. I will not name it for everyone knows who I'm talking about. I tried my best to forgive and understand but after my first week here I was given to dark thoughts of bias and negativity towards their oppressors. It was the Palestinians themselves that helped me let go of that darkness for the good of my own soul. Regardless of this ever encroaching occupation, these people with such a strong faith that embraces them with love, teaching them to love others, these people have grown very strong, resilient and beautiful in spite of it all. I came here thinking I would help feed them, teach them and lift their hearts to yet now looking back, I see they were the ones that fed and taught me. I am forever changed. I even converted to their religion of Islam. How could I not? After seeing what it's done for them and myself. The world is so very wrong about Palestine and the Muslim belief. I only hope to express my personal experiences to my countrymen when I get home and I will be returning here as soon as possible. Just the thought of leaving them feels like abandonment and has brought many tears. Living in a city with a population more than a million, continually getting lost and helped by the locals, They never once tried to harm or Rob me but they surely stole a piece of my heart. I will surely be returning soon.

My time in Palestine at Excellence Center was very insightful. I volunteered with teaching refugees and had a lot of fun with the kids, they were keen to learn and were very excited to meet new people from overseas.

Other than teaching, the center took us on tours to historical parts of the city and also some local factories.

Throughout the trip I never felt like I was in any danger. Hebron feels just like an average city in the Middle East except the people are even more welcoming.

Overall it was a great experience and I hope to come back one day, god willing.

I had such a wonderful time at the excellence center. It is hard to put into words how amazing this experience has been. Even though I only visited for a short time, it was such an incredible ten days. The Palestinian people are unlike any others; their generosity and compassion is beyond anything I have experienced. It was amazing to volunteer and meet the kids here too. They are so smart and fun and very eager to learn English. The opportunities here are endless and there are always ways to help and learn about the country.
Although international news and governments advise against travel due to safety, I have had no issues whilst being here. Please do not hesitate to come and visit and see this beautiful country!

I’m a female medical student who is interested in joining Doctors Without Borders after I graduate, and to hopefully be stationed in West Asia. This experience with PEC is foundational to that, even though this felt more a bit like an “orientation” because I’m unfamiliar with the Palestinian healthcare system. My only regret is that my Arabic wasn’t better before I came.

I loved being able to engage with the community and see the ins and outs of community infrastructure, especially for the robust and amazing disability services like the Blind School here in Hebron.

The directors are fantastic & great room accommodations :) Shokran ! A must-go!

Great programme to learn Arabic and get a real immersion in a Middle Eastern Environment.
The 18 hours of Arabic lessons were spread over 2 weeks and were done one on one with the same teacher. This was great to learn fast and practice. I was surprised that I could learn the entire Arabic Alphabet and get started with conversational Arabic. Overall, very impressed with the quick progress over such a short period, and starting from zero.
While the classes were usually in the morning, the afternoons were used for volunteering activities, and included teaching english as well as Human Rights visits. The visits to specific areas of Hebron, the refugee camps and the villages were particularly impactful as it gets you to appreciate better the situation in Palestine.
It was really great to be in an environment with other students/volunteers and to share experiences together. We also spent the weekend travelling together to Jericho and the Dead sea. And while I was significantly older than the rest of the group, I could connect well with everyone and had great fun with the group.
I was initially worried about traveling to Palestine but had a very smooth entry at Tel Aviv Airport and a smooth travel onward to Hebron. Living in a shared appartment with other volunteers was fun and made it easier to understamd how things work. I also enjoyed the opportunity to try the delicious (and affordable) Palestinian food. I did not know what to expect when I travelled to Palestine, and I am leaving with incredible memories of a super friendly and welcoming nation. I am sure I will stay connected with the Palestinian and International friends I made in Hebron.
A great experience!

Coming to the Excellence Center, I was drawn to the center’s mission statement of promoting cultural exchange, advocacy, and educational development through direct engagement with the people of Palestine.Upon my arrival to the center and Palestine, I was welcomed to a week's worth of engaging Arabic lessons taught by local educators in small-form classes. I greatly appreciated the welcoming environment created by my teachers and found the lessons to be especially helpful in my acclimation
to living in Hebron and my Arabic studies.
The quality of your experience with the Excellence Center will be determined by what you make of it, so I suggest entering this place with a plan, or alternatively, an open and eager mind. You will be given the opportunity to create your own lesson plans for dynamic classes of students and teaching environments, put in contact with local activists and working professionals, and you will also have access to a vastly diverse group of alternating international volunteers to befriend and/or work with throughout your time here.
People in Hebron were majorly welcoming and engaging. A day did not pass where I wasn’t offered a cup of tea and coffee, or a nice conversation with a complete stranger. I leave the center and Hebron excited to return some day soon, reinvigorated to continue supporting the Palestinian cause, and to live in Palestine once again.

The EC in Palestine offers a unique opportunity to experience a misunderstood region of the world. The EC is a Great place to experience the Arab world for the first time, and the international presence in the community is invaluable. Not only can internationals overcome the stereotypes and misconceptions about the region, but also the community here greatly appreciates your presence. Not only are you sharing skills like English or practical skills about life outside the area, but also more internationals need to come here in order to understand the truth about Palestine. Hebron is a safe city. The EC offers support through staff and other internationals to give you a safe place to live and a safe place to work. But also, strangers on the street are kind, helpful, and eager to meet and talk with internationals. Don’t be surprised when they invite you to dinner with their family! The Arabic classes and teachers are invaluable, especially if you come with a basic understanding of the language ahead of time. The center is very social, and you are guaranteed to make new friends and connections from all around the world- Canada to Taiwan and everywhere in between. It is most certainly a community center, and it is always very lively. There are some disclaimers though. These internships are better for people who are self driven and want to take initiative. These internships are not for people who expect everything to be done for them- be ready to come and make decisions and e proactive. Sometimes it can feel like there is a lack of structure in day to day processes, and it is because the EC is very flexible and fluid with everything. It can be hard for westerners, who are used to rigid schedules, to overcome the freestyle and relaxed time orientation of Arab culture and the center. Some may also be surprised by the reluctance and scrutiny of the Israeli authorities when it comes to traveling to the West Bank. Sadly, Israel tends to discourage travel here mostly because what people experience here goes against what they want the international community to believe. However, your presence is highly valuable and beneficial to the community here.

In conclusion, the city is safe, the center is a lovely place, you can make an impact of a community in need, and you have so much to learn about life, culture, and language in Palestine.