Where do I even start

I've spent the last three months with the Excellence Center, and it has been without a doubt the best decision of my life.

I arrived not really knowing what to expect and was quickly swept away by the kindness, the generosity, and the very welcoming nature of the Palestinian people. This is especially so when it comes to the staff at the Center. I felt so looked after, so at home, and so safe in the environment that they have created.

My program was a writing program, and I learned so much about Palestine, the occupation, the history, and the daily resilience of the people through writing about them each week. In addition to this, I was very proactive in travelling a lot across Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jenin, Nablus, Jericho, Tel Aviv and Haifa - so I got to see a lot of the area and meet a lot of interesting people from different walks of life. I was also proactive in organising time in the South Hebron Hills, where I was able to spend time with a wonderful community that really enriched my time here.

The thing that stands out to me most about my time here - more than the amazing food, more than the lovely markets, more than the many historical and religious sites - was the people. You can feel their resilience even in the act of living. I was continually blown away by their hospitality and their determination.

I'm not going to lie, it's heavy here. It's one thing to hear about the occupation, and a completely other thing to see it for yourself - hear the stories of how it impacts the lives of literally everyone here. But the sadness of it all is balanced out by the depth of the people and their love for the land. It's an incredible thing to witness.

If you're looking for a tightly scheduled and structured program, look somewhere in Europe. If you're looking for an immersive experience that lets you see the whole heart of this place and its people, meet incredible individuals, get to know the community, and get unique and direct insights into life under occupation in Palestine, then this is the place for you. Come with an open mind and an idea of what you want to get out of your time here, and you will not be disappointed.

I feel forever changed by this place, and I'm counting down the days until I can return. Huge thanks to everyone here but especially Marwa and Osama for making everyone feel like part of their family.