The Excellence Center Changed my Life for the Better

The Excellence Center created a very professional and welcoming environment to learn and grow. I spent a month participating in the Human Rights Program. The staff of the Excellence Center, especially my Arabic teacher Duha, were incredible. They are all patient and understanding. Also, the traditional Palestinian breakfast every morning was something I always looked forward to. It was always made with love, and was a great introduction to Arabic dishes. All of us were also welcomed to have dinner or tea with Osama and Marwa at their home, which I always loved.

During my stay, I was able to visit essential sites to understand the complexity of the violence of apartheid. These visits included H2, Masafer Yatta, Al Fawwar Refugee camp, the office of Human Rights Defenders, a school for blind children, an Islamic orphanage for boys, a community kitchen run by women, the keffiyeh factory, a glass factory, and studios of various local artists. On my free time, I was very fortunate to hike in Hebron and to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah with other volunteers as well as locals from Hebron I met during my stay. My living quarters were extremely nice, but rather cold in the winter. Everything you need is in walking distance.

I thought I understood the experience in Palestine, but now I realize how little I knew before coming here. It’s very valuable for any activist to come here to see it with your own eyes. There are so many stories that aren’t exposed through the media. This was the most special time in my life, and I can’t thank God and The Excellence Center enough for it all.