Human Rights Program

My name is Monica and I am from Barcelona. Last year I finished my bachelor in criminology and now I am studying another bachelor in International Relations. Initially, I came to the Excellence Center for two weeks in order to do the Human Rights, but in the end of my volunteering I decided to prolong my stay for two more weeks.
During my volunteering I did different activities related to the Human Rights in Palestine. Basically, I made a lot of interviews with organizations that work in Hebron, some of them, for example, of which are concerned with the protection of rights of women and children. Moreover, I had the pleasure to meet and interview lawyers whom explained the situation of Palestine to me and the problems that people encounter in the law institutions. Another activity that I did during my volunteering was a workshop for children, in which I introduced the topic of Human Rights as a general idea and the right violations in Palestine in specific.
I was studying Arabic at the same time that I was doing my program, first with a teacher called Nour and then with Osama. I studied modern standard Arabic for over one year before I came to Hebron, but in Palestine I started to learn the dialect. The Arabic lessons were very useful to understand how the language works and to learn some of the most important words and sentences that you have to use during your time in Palestine. But at the same time, one of the best ways to improve your Arabic is speaking with the local people and friends. At least for me, this was the best way for me to practice the language in Hebron.
When it comes to evaluating the Center’s environment, I only can write positive things. During my whole stay in Palestine I felt like in a very big family. The staff was very grateful and kind with all the volunteers and they always took care of us. Furthermore, I have to say that since I arrived in Hebron and met the other volunteers, I felt that I have made friends for the rest of my life. We spent a lot of time together and many different experiences really formed bonds between us.
During the weeks, the other volunteers and I visited different places in Palestine. Sometimes on our own, for example Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho and Nablus. But one of the things that all of use really enjoyed were the hikes we went on every Friday. It gave us the opportunity to visit not only the biggest and most famous cities in the country, but also to get to know the wonderful countryside and nature Palestine has to offer.
Apart from that, I enjoyed the time which I spent with my host family a lot. They were always so nice with me during all the time that I was living with them. I really recommend this experience to all the volunteers, because it gives you the opportunity to really be part of the Palestinian culture and to improve your Arabic every day.
To all the people that ask themselves if Hebron is a safe place I can say that I have never been scared or afraid at any point in time in Hebron. The people are very nice and welcoming and everybody is happy to help you or spend time with you. Actually, this is what I liked most about Palestine: its people and their hospitality that makes you feel at home from the first day.
I definitely will come back to Palestine because now I can say that I really love this country. And I think that coming to the Excellence Center was one of the best decisions in my live. I have learned a lot, not only about the situation in Palestine, but I have had the opportunity to meet people that I will never forget.