As An American Woman in Palestine: “Americans may be nervous about traveling to Palestine due to how it is portrayed as dangerous in American media. During my time in Palestine, I have felt very safe and even surprised by how different Palestine is than how it is viewed in America. As an American, I have been treated very kindly and made welcome in Hebron.

Welcome in Palestine

The community is very warm towards visitors and curious about Americans. I have only been here a short period of time, but I have already made friends. The shop keepers have been friendly and nearly every day I am told by someone I am welcome in Palestine.

While walking on the street people will say hello to me in Arabic and in English, people are more than willing to help answer any questions I have about directions or where to buy things. My host family has said how respected Americans are in Palestine and how happy they are to have me staying with them.

Safety 

I feel safe walking to and from the Excellence Center and secure in knowing the people here are happy to have me here. Young kids see me in the street and yell out hello to practice their English. Just today several young boys maybe in middle school crossed the street and introduced themselves in Arabic and asked how I was in English. As an American in Palestine, I am grateful to be so appreciated and welcomed by the community.

Sharing culture

The people are happy to share their culture and home with visitors. Many people are excited to meet an American who wants to learn their language and experience the Palestinian culture. My host family has been excited to introduce me to all their family members and patiently allow me to practice my Arabic with them.

My teachers have been kind enough to invite me to come to see the old city with them after work and class. Shop keepers wave and say in English I am welcome in their store. As an American woman in Palestine, I was worried about being treated poorly since I would stick out for not covering my hair, but I have only been met with kindness since I have come here.

I truly hope more Americans will come to experience the beautiful culture and language of Palestine.  Despite how it is portrayed in the American media, Palestine is a very welcoming, hospitable, and lovely place. I feel safe walking around at night and visiting the various shops.

People

I enjoy interacting with the people I meet through the Excellence Center and on the street or in shops. I have been invited to eat with strangers and treated like a princess being offered beverage after beverage, snacks, candies, and even being sent home with juice at the end of the night.

The students I have met have been eager to introduce themselves and welcome me to Hebron. I am truly enjoying my time here in Hebron and I hope to return to Palestine again to continue teaching English and studying Arabic with the excellence center.

How to dress in Hebron 

As an American woman in Palestine, I was very nervous about how I should pack for Hebron. I was concerned with how I would dress conservatively, but also survive the intense heat of the summer months in the Middle East. In Hebron, nearly everyone is Muslim so a woman is expected to dress more modestly than a woman in the United States or Europe would.

The first thing I will start with is dresses. For woman finding a breathable material is imperative. Find a long dress perhaps reaching slightly above your ankles. If the dress is any shorter it is recommended you wear a thin pair of leggings underneath.

When considering shoes prioritize comfort. I have found myself walking a considerable amount during my time here in Hebron. Bring shoes that will allow your feet to breath in the hot sun, but also offer support for some of the uphill walking you may encounter. If you prefer pants over wearing dresses make sure you wear them with a long shirt that comes halfway down your thighs.

Wearing jeans

Many of the young women in Hebron wear jeans with long shirts. The best advice I can share which was offered to me by a friend who has spent time in several middle eastern countries teaching is, bring a thin scarf. Bringing a larger scarf made from a thin material is one of the best ways to quickly alter your outfits to cover more and keep cool. Wrapping a scarf around your shoulders rather than wearing a heavy jacket with a dress is a good option for the hot weather.

If you are ever feeling too exposed while wearing pants and a short sleeve shirt you could also wrap your scarf around your waist. Another way a scarf could be helpful to a woman in Hebron is to cover your neck or chest if one of your shirts is too low cut.

Wearing a scarf

Wearing the scarf even if it is not meant as a way to stay covered is a good idea in case you find yourself going with a group to do some sightseeing. Woman are asked to cover their hair when entering certain holy sights or mosques so wearing a scarf around your neck can provide you the option of covering your hair if you would like to enter these places.

Men Clothes? 

For men, there is not quite as much thought required. Avoid wearing shorts and stick with thin breathable fabrics. Pack both short sleeve and long sleeve shirts so you have options based on how comfortable you feel dressing once you are here. Avoid darker colors which absorb more heat considering packing a baseball cap to shield your face from the sun. If you have pale skin you will get sunburn so think about packing more lightweight long sleeve shirts to protect your skin, but also allow you to stay cool.

Remember, if you don’t have enough appropriate clothing to pack for your full stay in Hebron there are lots of wonderful shops here to buy weather and culturally appropriate clothing from. The shops have low prices and a wide selection to choose from. Pack smarts, beat the heat, and enjoy your time in Hebron.

My day in Hebron after work

My first day at the Excellence Center I was invited by the teachers at the Excellence Center to see the old city in Hebron. I went back to my apartment above my host families apartment to get ready and then waited on the steps outside the apartment for the group of teachers I was invited by. We walked through the hectic bustling streets down to the old city.

The old city

Navigating through the sea of bodies and the steady stream of traffic slowly creeping along through the gaps of open spaces we shuffled our way towards the old walls. The old city walls boldly contrasted with the modern shops speckling this historic place. The path we tumbled along was lined with the lively chatter of vendors competing for the best prices, the most desirable goods, and the loudest presence.

Carts

Carts with vibrant colored vegetables, fruits, candies, and above hanging robes illuminated the weather stones walls.  Like bumper cars, we staggered down the street. The smell of fresh mint wafted up and filled my nostrils. The sound of small caged birds pierced through the buzz of voices and car horns. The steam from freshly baked bread, pastries, and grills with sizzling meats spread a warm heat that flushed your cheeks.

The heat from the cooking food would have been uncomfortable had it not been for the cooling stone tunnels and alleyways of the old city. The cooling stone became more appreciated once I immersed back into the uncovered streets and felt the hot sun beating down on my skin. After exploring the old city it was quite late and I returned to my apartment to rest before dinner.

Visiting various shops

Typically after work, I enjoy visiting the various shops on my route home between the excellence center and my apartment. I enjoy spending as much of my free time with my host family as possible. One evening my husband and I were invited to join our host family for a big family dinner. The men sat downstairs at their own table and I was asked to join the woman in my host mothers apartment. We waited until the sun had set and then enjoyed a wonderful meal cooked by the woman.

We had an equally delicious as it was colorful yellow rice, chicken showered in a brilliant array of spices, a thick potato soup, bread, and several small vegetable dishes. Despite my Arabic speaking abilities were very limited the woman did not allow this language barrier to discourage them from including me.

Final remarks

I felt the warmth of a family sharing this dinner with such a kind woman. I struggled through forming sentences and trying to work out questions I was asked while feeling truly encouraged by how much I was learning though far from perfection. After my work at the Excellence Center, I would like to explore more of Hebron and practice my Arabic by applying the things I learn in class around town and while spreading with my host family.”

This Article was written by Kayla McVeigh from the USA who is doing an internship in Palestine at the Excellence Center 

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