Volunteer in the West Bank, Palestine (1-12 Weeks)

Everyone in this blessed place is so amazing. Throw away your worries and any uneasy feelings you may have, and come visit Palestine. The political climate is thick, and the weather is hot. But the people are amazing and will make you feel welcomed. Visitors are treated with respect and love. Everywhere you go you will be greeted with a “salaam” or a “welcome.”
I will visit this beautiful country again, as soon as possible. This is my home away from home. I have found my second family here, and I will miss everyone.

I had a great experience with Go Palestine. Everyone felt like a family taking care of each other. I got a chance to teach student which was very fulfilling. I had the opportunity to visit the Al-Ahli Hospital. It was great experience to learn about the Healthcare system of Hebron.

I love the culture and hospitality of the people in Hebron. Very helpful and kind. Being a girl alone, walking on the street felt very safe. I never encountered any bad situation. It's a very safe city for girls. I recommend everyone to come once in their lifetime.

Embarking on a journey to Palestine was a choice which filled me with curiosity and anticipation. I wanted to immerse myself in the people's history, culture and everyday lives. This trip was also an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by teaching individuals English whilst exploring the cities within the West Bank. Whilst exploring these places I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
My journey began with the opportunity to volunteer, where I taught English to enthusiastic Palestinian students. Engaging with the minds of individuals filled me with pleasure and gave me a sense of purpose. In a classroom filled with laughter and inquisitiveness, I experienced the perseverance of these students to gain a new language skill which could open the door to a new future. This experience of exchanging knowledge and adopting connections through the language was rewarding.
Hebron is a city enriched in history which captivated me with its unique mixture of ancient heritage wrapped in a modern reality. Making my way through the bustling streets of the Old City, I was fascinated by the architecture and market, where friendly voices would echo asking ‘How are you? Or ‘hello.’ Amongst the charm, the tension from the presence of Israeli settlements and soldiers couldn’t be ignored, a reminder of the complex dynamics which exist under occupation.
One of the most profound aspects of my trip was the generosity of the Palestinian people. This ranged from sharing meals with local families as well as hearing their stories and experiences. Listening to these stories a gained the common characteristics of the people of Palestine: resilience, perseverance, and unwavering hope. These interactions allowed me to witness first-hand the strength of the human mind and the unwavering desire for freedom, justice, and a peaceful existence.
As I delved deeper into the Palestinian experience, the impact of the Israeli occupation became painfully apparent. Visiting areas affected by settlements, witnessing the restrictions imposed by checkpoints, and hearing personal accounts of displacement and injustice highlighted the daily struggles faced by Palestinians. The occupation’s toll on infrastructure, livelihoods, and freedom of movement cast a shadow over the lives of the people I met. It compelled me to reflect on the importance of advocacy, solidarity, and the pursuit of a just and peaceful resolution to the occupation.
My trip to Palestine was an extraordinary experience which transcended mere tourism. Teaching English, exploring Hebron and Nablus, and engaging with locals allowed me to connect with the vibrant fabric of Palestinian society. The course deepened my understanding of the realities faced by Palestinians living under occupation and reinforced my commitment to raising awareness and supporting their pursuit of justice and freedom. As I bid farewell to Palestine, I carry with me a renewed sense of empathy, a determination to share the stories I encountered, and a belief in the power of collective action to create a peaceful way to co-exist.

My name is Ruquyya. I was born and raised in Britain and am married with 4 daughters. A colleague from my workplace came to Palestine and advised me to visit.

After extensive searches online and Skype calls and email exchanges, I felt that Palestine Go was the best fit for me and gave me the confidence to visit alone as a single Muslim female traveling alone with my daughter. We booked our tickets and arranged our stay for 1 week as we were still slightly apprehensive about coming to a foreign place alone.

Upon arrival we were greeted by the owners and instantly all of our apprehension disappeared. Everyone was so welcoming that we felt like we had stepped into a home away from home. A host family had been arranged for us and the hospitality of the host family and the people from the center has been second to none. Instantly my daughter and I agreed that we should have come for longer .

A typical day for us here would start with a freshly made breakfast to sit and share with the other volunteers accompanied by enriching conversations. We would converse in English and Arabic and we felt like we were learning something new constantly. After breakfast we would have activities to do that were planned and given to us in advance. This structured timetable made us feel at ease and never uncomfortable. Although we were only here for a week, our timetable included an whole days excursion to an ancient city full of history alongside a guided tour of the holy resting place of the Patriarchs.

We also taught conversational English to students and were given individual Arabic classes matched to our abilities. The conversational English classes were an eye opener and we learnt so much from the students during the sessions, that I would always be sad when they finished.

The classes, my lessons, the center , the excursions and living with a Host family gave me a unique insight into the Palestinian culture that I would not have received had I come alone as a tourist and stayed in a hotel. The hospitality of Palestinian people is second to none and I cannot count how many cups of coffee, offers of meals and invitations to visit people's houses I have received. I have eaten at least 3 times at random strangers houses in the week I was here and had to turn down so many invitations, with promises of the next time I visit.

Just to give an example of the hospitality, I caught a taxi to go to Bethlehem from Hebron and the driver upon learning we were visitors, took us home to meet his wife and brought her along with us for the journey to make us more comfortable. He also made us promise that next time we came Hebron ,we would stay at his house. Another person we met at the old city took us home after hearing we were foreigners to meet his wife, she then prepared an evening meal for us to eat together.

At no time during my stay in Hebron or whilst traveling alone, using the local sharing taxis did I feel unsafe. The people welcome you in with their whole hearts and the center guides you all the time with regards to safety, even on our Free days and evenings.

The only regret I have is that my stay is too short and I will definitely return in the future and encourage others to visit. It’s a true life changing experience.

I’m Maariyah – a 25 year old Doctor from the UK. I visited Hebron and participated in the Go Palestine ‘Teach English’ Programme for a mere one week. This included teaching English to students, mothers and local workers in Hebron. The lessons were great as they are one on one and so I could tailor it to the level of the individual student with some beginners and some advanced speakers. It also allowed me to get to know my students on a personal level and many of them have invited me to return and stay/eat at their house!
Aside from teaching, I have had the opportunity to learn the Palestinian dialect of Arabic. In my one week here I have had two lessons and am pleased to say I can hold a very basic conversation now!
The center had also organised tours of the old city, allowing us to visit the Ibrahim Mosque and a tour of the local village of Al-Dahiriya. These trips have given me a deeper understanding of the current political climate as well as Palestinian hospitality and culture.
I have learnt that Palestinian hospitality is like no other. The team at the center are incredibly welcoming, treating us as their own family! Having breakfast together every morning was one of the highlights of my trip. Palestine felt incredibly safe to me, and Palestinians will go out of their way to help you to feel comfortable, safe and at home.
I recommend this programme to all that wish to visit Hebron.

Hi. My name is Jack McGrath. I am 28 years old and from Ireland. I am currently a teacher of English and History in Dubai. I participated in "Go Palestine" program for 3 weeks this Summer.
During my time at the "Go Palestine" Centre, I participated in a wide variety of teaching in the West Bank area. These included, teachers that needed extra help in speaking English and students doing Summer camp. Further from this, I also visited many areas around the city. These include, a visit to Hebron villages around the city, to Bethlehem, refugee camps and the Old city of Hebron itself. These trips allowed me to further educate myself of the current political situation as well as gain a greater appreciation for Palestinian history and culture.
During my time at the Centre I studied Arabic from an excellent teacher called Mrs. Shurook. She was incredibly encouraging and supportive. She was able to tailor the lessons to my needs of a student. Were we able to go at my pace due to it being a one on one lesson.
I really enjoyed the environment at the Go Palestine Centre. The staff are all very nice and instantly make you feel pat of the community. I was also able to make strong friendships with many of the other volunteers due to our shared interests in Palestine.

My time in Palestine with Go Palestine was full of events, food and culture. From waking up daily and eating fresh falafels and hummus, to the trips and places visited daily. The English lesson I had given are very open based and you are very free to teach comfortably. Mr. mohammad, one of the gentleman responsible for this organization, had planned daily activities after the lessons. I had experienced the Ibrahimi mosqus and the shrines in it, the Old Hebron city, refugee camps, bowling and arcade, Herbawi Kuffyieh factory, Bethlehem and more! Lastly, I would 100% recommend anyone thinking about going to Palesfine through this organization, to do so. Do not let the media fool you on the safety on Palestine, I felt like I was between my family during my stay, and I’m looking forward to going again soon!