Has great potential

Firstly, let me start by saying that TFP has undergone some management changes lately and this can only be a good thing. My review is based on my experience with the old management but knowing the new managers, I believe they will be able to iron out the problems fairly quickly.

The teaching side of TFP is challenging but enjoyable- the kids are very sweet and affectionate and most of them want to learn. I would advise bringing as much of an international focus as possible into the classes as they love it- I tried to arrange short skype sessions with people back home for them to practice their English and it was a hit! My main issue with teaching was that we had very little freedom- I had several years teaching experience back home and abroad and was told in the interview that we had control over what we taught but when I got there it was a different story- we had to submit lesson plans every week and had to make our resources from scratch- very little had been kept from previous teachers. In my opinion this was a waste of time, paper and ink!

The apartment was fine, basic but perfectly adequate for our needs. If you are the type who can't live without high-speed Internet or power showers, then this is not the place for you- you are in a developing country, do not expect luxury. I did find it frustrating that the management seemed incapable of planning ahead and we would regularly run out of electricity or Internet (these work on a pay as you go system and have to be topped up by a certain date every month), paper and photocopier toner and we were left stranded as such. Our director seemed quite disinterested in us and gave us very little support during our time there- luckily the assistant director (who has now taken over) was much more pleasant but very overworked. All of the volunteers bonded really well and we became firm friends, which was fantastic!

So would I recommend this programme? Under the new management, yes. My main problem with it during my stay was the high level of disorganisation and I really think it will be very different now. Palestine is one of my favourite places I've ever visited and Nablus is a fantastic city to live in, as long as you are prepared to live a lot more conservatively than you would at home. People are really friendly there and you can develop a great social life as long as you are open-minded and positive. And your students will be the most amazing kids you've ever taught!