Volunteer Projects In Palestine In 2025

If you are considering traveling to Palestine I can not recommend signing up with the Excellence Center enough. Being from Ireland and seeing many similarities between Irish history and current events in Palestine had been thinking about ways to travel and engage with people from Palestine for some time. While I had researched many different ways and different programs once I contacted the Excellence Center I felt very much at ease. Before confirming any travel plans I had a long Zoom call with Rafat who put many of my concerns to rest with advice on traveling to Palestine, the programs they offered, and the accommodation I would have for the duration of my program. I signed up for Media and Journalism as it is an area that I hope to expand on in the future. During my 10 days in Hebron, I was introduced to different journalists, was taken to refugee camps, given walking tours of the Old City, and got to visit different Mosques in the city. I'm embarrassed to say that as an Irish person, I've been trying to relearn the Irish language on Duolingo for the past year with very little success but after just four Arabic lessons while at the center I have already learned the basics of this beautiful language. Fridays and Saturdays are “days off” in Palestine so it gave me a chance to also travel to other cities such as Ramallah and Neblus with other volunteers at the center giving us an insight into different areas and also how the occupation makes traveling around so difficult for no reason other than to be an inconvenience and intimidation for the people of Palestine. The biggest takeaway I leave Palestine with is just how amazing the people of not just the center but of all Palestinians I was lucky enough to meet while there. The other volunteers and the staff at the center gave me a sense of family more than just a school/program. We were invited into people's homes for dinners, and introduced to their families, and seeing just how positive these people remain despite living under occupation was something that will stay with me for life. Thank you to Osama, Jomanna, and all the staff and volunteers for making this an experience that I will never forget. Read Less What is your advice to future travelers on this program? I can understand why you would be nervous to travel to Palestine but you will not regret com

I’m Emma from Scotland and I chose a one-week short-term course with the refugee program. It was all very last minute with me, less than a week before actually coming to the Centre, there are a few other Centres I had contacted, but I found this one to be the most responsive. I did a few Arabic lessons which were great as I’ve been to many Arabic-speaking countries before, but I wish I had longer to learn more as the experience was positive and the first time learning a new language in many years! I liked that we had something different activity-wise every day, whether it be getting a tour of the old city, going to the glass / ceramic factory or the Keffyiah factory among other things, as well as what was most important for me, was to visit the refugee camp, which was a truly humbling heartwarming and heartbreaking experience.. we basically went everywhere tourist wise that there is in Hebron and always got a good explanation from Osama. The staff was amazing and it all seemed like we were all just one big family all in it together, we would cook dinner together some evenings and breakfast was always at 10 am with the staff and the other volunteers. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and everyone is very easygoing time-wise, it’s not a strict schedule and everyone is extremely flexible. The evenings were spent with other volunteers where we would head out for some tea and shisha and play cards or just chat and chill. I chose to stay with a host family which was really wonderful to just see how people live and go about day-to-day life here. I had only been in Jerusalem for a few days before I came here, so still have a lot to explore and hope to come back here again as it’s one of my more memorable travel experiences, especially with the warmth and kindness and if course hospitality of the Palestinian people. It certainly opened my eyes to the struggles they go through now and have been going through for many years. I taught conversational English to a young guy who just wanted to practice his English before applying for his USA visa to be a camp counselor, I have no teaching experience, but it really didn’t matter as he just wanted to talk and have me correct him on any mistakes. I really enjoyed that part, being able to help someone like this. I came in February and the weather was very cold which I didn’t really expect, so bring warm clothes if coming in winter! I just loved everything from the food, the people, just the whole vibe of the place. Everyone would say hi just walking down the street. I went out walking around alone a lot of the time and never once felt unsafe. I feel very passionate about Palestine and its people and hope to return again soon! I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to get into the culture and have a better understanding of what’s going on and how people actually live here. A time in my life I will never forget! Thanks to everyone who made this all possible and hope to be back soon!

My name is Dylan, and I am from the United States. I graduated the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors in Middle Eastern studies, and a minor in Political Science. I participated in the volunteer sports, and teaching English program at the Excellence Center. At the Excellence Center I participated in a wide array of activities including: Arabic classes, field trips, and English instruction for local youth. The Arabic classes I participated in were colloquial Levantine Arabic. My teacher, Doha, was very informative, and she moved the class at a good pace. This allowed us to make the most out of each session. All the teachers & staff at the center are incredibly welcoming and ensure you're comfortable. In addition, fellow participants are like minded and friendly, which creates a great environment to be apart of. As for field trips, the first one I went on was a walking town of Old Hebronted by Osama. This was a great way to learn the history of the city, and to get in touch with my surroundings. The second trip, we took a shuttle to two different Bedouin Villages to say it was eye opening is an understatement. The power of hearing the people first-hand is an unforgettable experience. My third trip was through the H2 side of Hebron where we met with a local woman who has suffered tragically from the occupation, and later in the day we spoke with a humanitarian organization to hear what actions they are taking to help the people of Hebron. Living in Hebron has been a wonderful experience. Out of everywhere I have traveled the people here are by far the most welcoming. They will ask you in for tea or coffee after only speaking with you for five minutes on the street. Safety has never been a concern here. All the people of Hebron do their best to assist you if you're looking lost, and I have never been taken advantage of. My most memorable experience while living in Hebron was walking down in Old Hebron with a soccer ball and playing with all the kids as I made my way down the street. We may not have been able to conversate past simple greetings, but the enjoyment we shared through the sport was heart-warming. I’ve certainly enjoyed my time here at the Excellence Center. The amount I’ve learned not only in Arabic, but about life in Palestine is vast in the short two weeks I’ve been here. I hope more people can experience life in Hebron, and hear the Palestinian’s people’s stories.