Short-Term Volunteer Projects In Palestine In 2025 (1-13 Weeks)

My name is Jessica, I'm Belgian, I have a degree in Communications and work in the field of financial inclusion.

During my three-week stay at the center, I had the chance to assist English language teacher courses for teenagers, and to conduct individual interviews with young university students.

Living in Palestine could not be done this time (it's not my first stay in Palestine) without learning the language. Saja, my teacher, has taught me so much, being both, exigent and cool at the same time. By the way, I've decided to continue my lessons online before my next stay here.

Icing on the cake was the kindness, availability and generosity of the staff, each of them ! And what can I say about the students ... endless smiles.

Living in Hebron is a bit like living in a family cocoon on a large scale! You feel surrounded and safe at all times. Being able to go out for tea in the evening without having to close the car door (something unimaginable in Europe).

My hosts, Marwa, Ossama, Myse and Karim, reminded me of what a family was like, so much so that I felt part of this beautiful family myself.

I had the opportunity to revisit Jericho and Jerusalem (great emotional moment at Al Aqsa on a Friday for Dhur ...). I also visited Ramallah and Nablus. The latter combines tradition and modernity. Mohamad went out of his way to introduce me to a historian ... even though I'd just asked him a question about the origins of the old town.

I’m grateful for everything and look forward to seeing my second home (Palestine) and Family very soon.

Salam, I’m Rebekah from New York! I came to volunteer in Hebron October 2024. I’ve always been interested in Palestinian culture and the complicated history of the area, and I was looking for an opportunity to not only visit, but also volunteer in the community. It has been such a meaningful experience hearing from those actively living under the Israeli occupation and better understanding the Palestinian way of life in the West Bank. Hebron has been a wonderful home; Palestinians are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and despite the situation in Gaza and the regional tensions, Hebron feels very, very safe. The accommodations are so nice and conveniently located. The center feels like a family, eating meals together and going on excursions. There are many guides to show you around the area and teach you about the history and current state of the city. Everyone is eager to help you with everything, from giving cafe recommendations to practicing your Arabic. And the Arabic classes are so helpful! The teachers are wonderful. I would recommend working with the Excellence Center to anyone interested in volunteering in Palestine.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, and Public Policy. I was born in India and spent most of my life in the United States. I participated in the Volunteer and Study Arabic program at the Excellence Center.
At the Excellence Center I engaged in activities to teach students English, to learn Arabic, and to understand the culture and life here by visiting places, camps, and engaging with local community.
I found a lot of value in my Arabic lessons and I feel like I have a beginner level understanding of the language and will continue my studies to improve further.
I found the Excellence Center’s environment very conducive for learning, teaching, and with the most amazing leaders and staff.
In my time here I was able to visit the various factories for local crafts, the Old City, multiple refugee camps, holy/religious sites, and even a wedding.
During my time here I took trips to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
I really enjoyed living in Hebron City, it is a full of the nicest people I have ever met.
During my whole time here I felt very safe in Hebron City and during my trips to other cities.
My favorite thing about Palestine is definitely the people – the kindest and most inviting.
I loved just walking down the street and random people invite me to sit for coffee or tea and just chatting away for hours.
I will definitely be back – it is great place to visit and volunteer opportunity full of beautiful people.
I highly recommend the Excellence Center to interested in this opportunity – The team here is amazing!

For anyone who wants to experience the truth of Palestine, and not a narrative spun to fit certain viewpoints and opinions, the excellence center is your single greatest tool.

You will start your journey in Hebron, at the Excellence Center's building near Hussein Stadium. Here, you'll take part in Arabic lessons (which can be scheduled and structured based on your needs/wants), and be taken on tours of the old city. You get out what you put in with the lessons. I was able to learn simple greetings, which can go a long way. Regardless, the staff is highly educated and always ready to help.

With the help of the center, I was able to visit Ramallah, and Bethlehem. As long as you plan ahead, they can help you go wherever you please. When not traveling, you can enjoy the low cost of living that Hebron offers, as well as homecooked breakfast at the Center.

If security is a concern, understand that the excellence center is located in the heart of the Palestinian controlled zone of the city, where there are not armed clashes or raids. Further, both Israelis and Palestinians live in proximity to each other in Hebron (and wherever settlements exist in the West Bank). This means there is little incentive to attack the area via airstrike. As with most everything in life, exercise common sense and listen to the advice of locals. For a comparison, I felt more in danger on vacation in Mexico than at any point during my time in Palestine.

By far, the most memorable and meaningful experience in Palestine is that of the people you'll meet. Kindness exists in abundance here, more so than anywhere I have visited before. You will be regularly invited to have coffee and dinner.

I can not put into words how much I recommend this experience offered through the excellence center.

For anyone who wants to experience the truth of Palestine, and not a narrative spun to fit certain viewpoints and opinions, the excellence center is your single greatest tool.

You will start your journey in Hebron, at the Excellence Center's building near Hussein Stadium. Here, you'll take part in Arabic lessons (which can be scheduled and structured based on your needs/wants), and be taken on tours of the old city. You get out what you put in with the lessons. I was able to learn simple greetings, which can go a long way. Regardless, the staff is highly educated and always ready to help.

With the help of the center, I was able to visit Ramallah, and Bethlehem. As long as you plan ahead, they can help you go wherever you please. When not traveling, you can enjoy the low cost of living that Hebron offers, as well as homecooked breakfast at the Center.

If security is a concern, understand that the excellence center is located in the heart of the Palestinian controlled zone of the city, where there are not armed clashes or raids. Further, both Israelis and Palestinians live in proximity to each other in Hebron (and wherever settlements exist in the West Bank). This means there is little incentive to attack the area via airstrike. As with most everything in life, exercise common sense and listen to the advice of locals. For a comparison, I felt more in danger on vacation in Mexico than at any point during my time in Palestine.

By far, the most memorable and meaningful experience in Palestine is that of the people you'll meet. Kindness exists in abundance here, more so than anywhere I have visited before. You will be regularly invited to have coffee and dinner.

I can not put into words how much I recommend this experience offered through the excellence center.

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.