Discovering fascinating Palestine

My name is Nadia and I am a professor in the Humanities in the United States. I arrived at the Excellence Center in Hebron in May 2019 and stayed for two months. It was my first trip to the Middle East and I can honestly say that these two months spent in the region have been one of the most enriching time of my life. Not only did I discover a fascinating culture and an incredibly hospitable people but I also had the rare opportunity to actually share the daily life of my host family and learn Arabic at my own pace with children, guests, and all the members of this beautiful and generous family.
As a volunteer teaching English at the Excellence Center, I also met the most interesting people and made friends for life. They came from all over the world and took part in one of the many programs offered by the Excellence Center and all sharing a common interest for the region and its history. The opportunities offered by the Excellence Center include political tours and guided visits of some of the most important places in Palestine.
In fact, one of the many advantages to come to the Excellence Center as a volunteer and/or a student is that you have an anchor—a home! — from where to come and go and travel around as you please. I personally took advantage of my time in Palestine to visit Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah. I also traveled to Ein Gedi, Haifa, Akko and visited Jerusalem several times. Transportation is safe, easy, and affordable. From Hebron, you can go anywhere!
However, the highlights of my stay in Palestine was my life at the Excellence Center and the remarkable students I met and their eagerness to learn. They were the most studious, respectful, and kind people I have ever met. And I have met a lot of students in my career as a professor! What I learned is that education for Palestinians is as fundamental as hospitality. And at the Excellence Center, I had the opportunity to meet genuinely kind people, spend time with them, and, maybe more importantly, learn from them.
I will come back to Palestine and the Excellence Center soon, inshallah!