7 Impactful Internships in the West Bank: These programs offer a rare chance for people to advance their careers while also immersing themselves in the vibrant cultural environment and challenging political landscape in the West Bank. The West Bank is known for its historical significance, diverse industries, rich culture, and friendly and hospitable Palestinian people. Keep reading to learn more about interning in the West Bank.
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Why The West Bank?
The West Bank is a beautiful and fascinating place, but it’s also subjected to extreme pressures due to the ongoing Israeli Occupation. While Gaza is off limits, as it is under blockade and siege by Israel, the West Bank is relatively stable, as well as being safe for international visitors and interns. There are also many organizations working to provide assistance and services to those who are most affected by the Occupation.
There are many other wonderful things about the West Bank, including its rich history and culture, delicious traditional Palestinian food, and very friendly, welcoming, and hospitable people. It’s not uncommon for a Palestinian to invite you into their home for a meal of coffee, even if you have just met, as hospitality is an integral part of Palestinian identity.
What Do You Need To Prepare For An Internship Here?
If you have previously studied Arabic, it’s a great idea to brush up on it before arriving. Otherwise, it’s advisable to learn at least a few words, even if it’s just how to say hello and thank you. Being able to speak and understand some basic Arabic phrases isn’t a guarantee that a taxi driver won’t try to rip you off, but it can help.
While many international visitors have studied Arabic before at university, usually this is Fus’ha (Modern Standard Arabic), which isn’t a language spoken in daily conversations. Instead, Palestinians speak Amiya (the local dialect), so it’s best to learn some words and phrases in Amiya.
On top of that, you will need to arrange your flights, travel insurance, and make sure your vaccinations are up to date. If you take any prescription medication, you might want to make sure you have an adequate supply to bring with you. You will also need to consider the time of year you will be interning in the West Bank. Researching the weather can help you decide what to bring and what to leave behind.
Additionally, depending on where in the West Bank you will be interning, you will need to do some research on the local customs and dress expectations. For example, while Ramallah is much more westernized, Nablus and Hebron are conservative, so you will need to dress modestly.
How Do I Get To The West Bank?
If you are coming from overseas, there are six border crossings that international visitors can choose between to allow them to travel onward to the West Bank. Internationals can either fly into one of two Israeli airports, either Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) or Ramon Airport (Eilat). Ben Gurion Airport is much larger, servicing many more international flights, and there is a direct train as well as shared taxi to reach Jerusalem, from which you can easily reach the West Bank.
The other option is to cross one of the land borders. There is a border crossing with Egypt (Taba Crossing) and one near Aqaba in Jordan (the Wadi Araba Crossing). However, both of these require onward travel to Eilat and then onto Jerusalem before reaching the West Bank, which is a long journey.
Otherwise, there are two other border crossings with Jordan. One is Jisr Al-Malek Hussein (The Allenby Bridge Crossing), located halfway between Amman (Jordan) and Jerusalem. It’s the only land border that allows West Bank Palestinians to go to Jordan, so there are often longer queues and more stringent security checks at this border compared to the other land borders. There is also the Al-Sheikh Hussein Bridge (The Jordan River Crossing), which is near the city of Irbid (Jordan).
How Do I Get To The West Bank From Jerusalem?
Traveling to the West Bank from Jerusalem is relatively straightforward. Jerusalem is very close geographically to many places in the West Bank, but traveling there is usually more complex and time-consuming than it should be as a result of the Israeli occupation, its numerous checkpoints, and its separation and annexation wall. Depending on your destination in the West Bank, you will take either a bus or a shared taxi (which looks like a minivan).
Short-Term Summer Internships
Interning in the West Bank in summer is an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking summer internships in the areas of the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, or close to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Bethlehem. At Excellence Center in Palestine, located in Hebron in the West Bank, we offer a unique opportunity to travel, learn Arabic, make new friends, and complete an internship while immersing yourself in a new culture.
As a summer intern, you will be able to develop your skills and gain valuable real-life on-the-ground experience in a fascinating environment. Summer interns will also get to learn about Palestinian culture and society, explore the local area, and engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
Included in your summer internships are trips in and around Hebron, including to Bedouin areas (like Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, nearby villages, various local organizations, and the old city of Hebron. This allows you to learn and engage with Hebron locals from a variety of backgrounds who are dealing with challenging situations as a result of Israeli occupation.
Finally, our summer internships offer a lot of flexibility, making them particularly well-suited to university students or anyone else with a partial or complete summer break. You are free to choose how long you wish your internship to last (1-13 weeks), and you can start anytime throughout the summer. For current students looking to earn academic credit while undertaking a summer internship, we can provide this for you.
7 Impactful Internships in the West Bank
Here you can check out the impactful internships Excellence Center in Palestine offers:
1. Palestinian Law and Legal Systems Internship
Palestinian Law and Legal Systems Internship: This legal internship program is ideal for students of law, the social sciences, and human rights, as well as for anyone interested in the Palestinian legal system as it operates in the West Bank. As an intern, you can enroll for a period of from 1 to 13 weeks, year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The Palestinian Law program aims to provide a full understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.
During the legal internship program, you will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal and religious institutions, as well as legal clinics in the city of Hebron, Palestine. You will witness the enactment of laws, the decision-making process, court rulings, legal negotiations, and mediations in various social settings.
2. Human Rights Internship in Palestine
Human Rights in Palestine Internship Program: Excellence Center in Palestine in Hebron offers human rights volunteer opportunities that highlight Palestinian rights and promote personal and professional growth. Students gain experience in international law, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid while enhancing their intercultural and Arabic language skills. Participants will raise awareness about human rights in the West Bank and support local communities through education.
Excellence Center in Palestine offers human rights internships and volunteer programs year-round for 1 to 13 weeks, with flexible start and end dates. Participants can learn Ammiya (Palestinian Arabic) and receive three hours of Arabic instruction weekly from qualified teachers. You’ll engage with Palestinian and international NGOs, professors, students, and human rights activists and participate in excursions to refugee camps and organizations, enhancing your academic work and Arabic skills.
3. Internship in the West Bank Program
Internship in the West Bank Program offers international participants the chance to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life and learn about human rights, Palestinian refugee situations, and politics in Hebron, West Bank. The program involves participating in a highly respected community development initiative run by Excellence Center in Palestine.
To promote a profound cultural experience, the Center organizes visits to various institutions, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Palestinian governmental organizations, factories, and Palestinian refugee camps in Hebron. This firsthand exposure offers an exciting opportunity for interns to gain insight into daily life in Palestine. The program provides a variety of internships at the Center to meet different interests and career objectives.
Additionally, interns enrolled in the Internship in the West Bank, Palestine program have the option to study either Modern Standard Arabic or Ammiya (spoken Arabic dialects). They can also engage with Palestinian locals, stay with a Palestinian host family, and gain a deeper understanding of the rich Palestinian culture.
4. Palestine and Israel in Context Internship
Palestine and Israel in Context Internship: Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, retiree, or just someone interested in political history, human rights, Palestinian refugees, or the current situation, the Palestine and Israel in Context Internship program is for you! With the ability to hear the opinions of everyday people and understand, grasp, and witness the effects of the conflict firsthand, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain insider knowledge beyond the headlines.
In particular, if you’re a current student of humanities, political sciences, or Middle Eastern studies and looking to frame your knowledge within a cultural context, this internship program in Palestine is particularly pertinent to you as you will explore the occupation in the West Bank as well as meet Palestinian civilians, local human rights activists and families who are subject to Israeli military law.
In addition to these great opportunities, you will also be provided with an Arabic language course tailored to your individual level. With tuition of three hours a week, you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in your surroundings by chatting with local Palestinians, ordering food in restaurants, and more. Therefore, for those looking to enhance their knowledge of Arabic, experience cultural immersion, and conduct political research, consider our program to gain an in-depth, personalized internship.
5. The Palestinian Culture Internship Program
The Palestinian Culture Internship Program: This program is designed to provide its participants with a first-hand view of Palestinian culture, art, history, and industry. Interns in Palestine will be able to explore the beautiful and historic city of Hebron, take day trips to neighboring cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and explore other cultural and historical sites. The immersive internship focuses on how participants can enhance their experience of everyday Palestinian customs, politics, and culture.
This program would be ideal for a wide range of participants, whether native English speakers or not, from students to young professionals and retirees, or anyone interested in Palestinian culture or the politics of the Middle East. The program would also suit university students interested in an internship program (from 1 to 13 Weeks) that would be shorter than the typical semester or quarter system. Through its partnership with the Palestinian Education Authority, Excellence Center in Palestine can also provide academic credits to all participants.
The Palestinian Culture internship program offers an excellent opportunity for those interested in learning Palestinian or Levantine Arabic, providing a fully immersive linguistic experience. By participating in this program, individuals eager to learn Arabic will have numerous opportunities to practice their language skills daily with shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and other members of the Palestinian community in Hebron.
6. Intern in Local Palestinian Schools Program
Join the Intern in Local Palestinian Schools Program and make a tremendous impact on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth! Our internship program in Hebron, West Bank, is open to everyone. This is whether you’re a native or non-native English speaker, a student, a graduate, a professional, or a retiree. If you’re passionate about improving local Palestinian students’ English and life skills, this is your chance to join us and make a difference. We’d love to have you on board!
As an intern in the West Bank, you get to visit local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and villages around Hebron. You’ll contribute meaningfully to the West Bank, Palestine, and Palestinian communities here. Furthermore, you will help Palestinian students gain essential skills and knowledge while learning about their culture and way of life. It’s a perfect internship opportunity for anyone passionate about education, Palestinian community development, and making a positive impact in the West Bank.
7. Write Articles About Palestine Program
The Volunteer to Write Articles about Palestine Program is designed for participants with a background and interest in journalism, reporting, and recording in various formats, as well as an interest in telling human stories. This program allows and encourages participants to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture, forming connections with the residents around Hebron. We encourage reporting of the Center to be fair and unbiased, to tell the stories of the people who live in Hebron and the work of the Center.
Whereas media coverage of Israel and Palestine focuses on the ongoing conflict and relationship between the parties, writing articles with our center will allow you to experience and recount the experiences and everyday life of residents and communities. International communication is vital for many Palestinians, who want to feel connected to and recognized by the global community.
Internships With Impact
We aim to make a long-term difference with all of our volunteer and internship programs, for both the Palestinian local community and you through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. All of our programs are well researched and targeted to ensure they have a tangible impact and foster shared learning for both our community and you.
Excellence Center in Palestine’s short-term internships offer a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and fully immerse oneself in a lively cultural context. This means that taking an internship with us can have a significant impact on your career and personal development, as well as having a positive impact on the local Palestinian community.
As an intern, you will have the chance to collaborate and participate in projects that engage and benefit the local Palestinian community. In addition to all the valuable and memorable experiences you will gain, the personal and professional relationships you build during your internship will enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
Even after you leave Palestine, you can continue to have a positive impact by sharing your experiences in Palestine and with Palestinians with your own friends, family, and community members.
Reviews and Awards
Conclusion
Taking an internship is a very valuable way to gain much-needed experience and develop transferable skills for your future career. Taking an internship in the West Bank, which is a beautiful, challenging, and culturally rich environment, will give you all this and much more.
One highly reviewed and well-regarded organization offering internship opportunities in the West Bank is Excellence Center in Palestine. Excellence Center in Palestine offers a wide range of internships and programs in fields such as human rights, law, healthcare, teaching English, community development, and more. We offer such a wide range that many different people with diverse backgrounds, skills, expertise, and passions can come to the West Bank to have a positive impact on our local Palestinian community as well as on their own lives.
Our short-term internships are ideal for students, graduates, anyone taking a gap year, or those seeking to explore the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East beyond the typical tourist experience. They also offer many opportunities for interns to develop themselves personally and professionally, as well as to make meaningful, lasting connections with Palestinians and other interns from all over the world.
We look forward to receiving your internship application to join us at Excellence Center in Palestine in Hebron, soon!
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