Are We Making a Difference in Palestine?: How does the Palestinian community of Hebron benefit from the Excellence Center, its volunteers and the courses offered? this is a question many ask themselves and an important one to answer. It is a form of evaluation of services, how satisfied are the people receiving classes? What do they get out of it? are we really making a difference? We talked to the Palestinian community and got some feedback regarding the ways by which they feel they benefit from the Excellence Center.

English knowledge

Of course one of the main benefits is the development of their English language skills. Being able to practice their listening and speaking skills with native speakers is a huge advantage for our students of English.  Most of the classes offered by the Excellence Center come as an extra for students who usually study the language at regular school. The Excellence Center provides the space for students to further their study of a language most of them see as crucial for professional development.

Specific subject knowledge

Recently many volunteers wish to do volunteering within their field, teaching workshops and classes connected to their own professional background and skills. This is a great way the community benefits from the Excellence Center, by connecting volunteers to the community through specific needs and skills. An example is Shayma from the UK who is a nurse and is here with the Volunteer in Healthcare program. She has been a great resource for students of nursing and hospital staff. Sami, a law student from France conducted workshops on human rights with law students, this was also an insightful activity for the local community. One last example was Lynn from the USA who gave workshops to English teachers on how to use music in their classes.

Exposure

Exposure to international volunteers with different professional backgrounds is valuable for the community in Palestine in many ways. Having something in common, like a profession, but learning about different methods of study and ways of execution can have a radical effect on students and practitioners of that field. Exposure to different ways of thinking, to beliefs, values, styles, etc. helps the university students of Hebron widen their horizons when it comes to professional development.

Exposure to different people also helps break stereotypes and create new pictures of people from different countries. Many students who come to the Excellence Center have expressed a change in opinion about foreigners, building a clearer picture of who people really are.

Inspiration

In meeting with people different from themselves members of the community of Hebron, Palestine also express a feeling of inspiration. For example Mariam, a teacher at the center mentions that meeting foreigners form all over the world has made her want to travel more. She has also gotten the courage to want to travel by herself. Many others confess to being able to understand their own culture better, allowing themselves even to question some traditional expectations that don’t necessarily have to be part of the culture they practice. Questioning their own mindset is a benefit that also affects both students and volunteers of the center in a positive way, all eventually becoming more open minded and respectful individuals.

Friendship

Finally, one of the most influential benefit students in Palestine at the Excellence Center and volunteers alike have is the building of long-lasting friendships with people very different from themselves. More friendships across the globe is what this world needs and the Excellence Center is great at making that happen.