5 Facts You Might Not Know About Volunteering in Palestine: Before coming to Palestine, volunteers are correct in expecting an immersive, fascinating cultural experience, access to beautiful and historic landscapes, and of course, delicious Palestinian cuisine. However, once you come to visit Palestine and volunteer at the Excellence Center, you will find a few other incredible things that you may not have known about before.
Enriching Global Engagement
First, you will find that you will be volunteering with other interns from all over the world. All at once, you may be working with people from England, South America, Canada, Jordan, The United States, South Africa, and Germany at the Excellence Center. This rich diversity of cultural backgrounds, matched with the eager and bright students of Hebron, promotes an optimal learning environment, promoting openness and global engagement here in Palestine.
Unparalleled Hospitality
Most people have heard that Middle Eastern countries are known for their welcoming nature, but you will find an even stronger sense of community and hospitality in Hebron. As you walk up and down Ein Sarah Street or shop at the local markets, you will be greeted with “Welcome to Palestine!” The Excellence Center’s staff serves as a connecting agent for internationals and Palestinians, making you feel at home and part of their family.
By the end of your stay, after eating with your neighbors, playing soccer with local youth, and connecting with your students, you will truly be part of the Hebron community.
Easy, Inexpensive Travel to Historic Cities
While visiting Palestine, it is highly encouraged to take advantage of the beautiful and historic cities within the West Bank. During your flexible work hours and days off, many volunteers like to travel to places such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, and Nablus, to name a few.
Fortunately, traveling to these places is extremely easy for internationals and rather inexpensive, especially when compared to traveling in most Western countries. Traveling to these places to witness such important and beautiful parts of the world is always one of the highlights for those who come to volunteer at the Excellence Center.
Enthusiasm of Students
Something else that you might not know before coming to volunteer in Hebron is the level of excitement and commitment from the students. The Excellence Center is not a school itself, but rather an educational community center that fosters the development of the English language and mutually beneficial relationships between students and volunteers.
All of the students that come to learn at the center do so through their own initiative and desire to learn, therefore the classroom environment is refreshingly positive and enthusiastic. Volunteers and students look forward to the classes and lessons every day, for they both gain tremendously from the relationships between one another.
Better Understanding of the Israeli Occupation
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, volunteers who come to the Excellence Center in Hebron gain a different perspective of the Israeli Occupation that they have not seen before.
Information about the dynamic between Israelis and Palestinians is often incomplete or misconstrued by the media, so coming to Palestine and witnessing the situation firsthand allows for you to form your own opinions and see the truth of the problems. It is truly an eye-opening experience that allows for a far better understanding about one of the most relevant areas of the world.
Any questions
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact at Rafat@excellencenter.org
Whatsapp:+972599479880
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org
Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Excellence Center’s Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
