First Impression of Palestine: Arriving in Palestine might seem daunting at first; the whole country is probably nearly opposite to what you are accustomed to, but within a short time, you will fall in love with everything that makes it different.

The Way to Hebron from Tel Aviv

The drive from Tel Aviv to Hebron is spectacular, and once you get close to Jerusalem, you will find yourself among steep, rocky, rolling hills. The road to Hebron winds between hills and valleys, passing olive groves and grape trees and little homes tucked away, speckling the hills as far as you can see.

Driving in the Streets in Hebron, Palestine

The city is beautiful, on and between several hills; the houses and shops are connected by a web of steep and narrow streets. Once you learn to trust the taxi drivers who manage to squeak between cars and effortlessly drive around tight corners and narrow streets, you can get around the city easily. Here, the vehicles seem to have an unwritten contract of courtesy.

Cars Honk in Hebron 

They honk a lot (constantly) but always let other cars in or drive around the ones that have stopped in the middle of the road to talk to a friend they’ve spotted. It may look slightly chaotic from the outside, but you will realize that traffic always seems moving here, and the cars and people share the space on the roads.

Walking down the street, people smile at you, and you constantly hear “welcome.” Welcome to Hebron, and welcome to Palestine! The people are always so happy to see internationals visiting and enjoying their country and love to make everyone feel welcome.

Whitestone Buildings  in Hebron, Palestine

All white stone buildings wear uniform grunge that has collected over time.

The First Impression of the Excellence Center

The Excellence Center sits on one of the main roads, on the second story. The atmosphere is pleasant, with people constantly chatting with each other and others coming in and out of the classrooms. The kitchen is the heart of the Center, tea or Arabic coffee is always being made and shared, and conversation always being exchanged in Arabic and English with enthusiasm.

Laura from Australia, studying Arabic, said, “My first impression is that Palestine is much safer than it is portrayed. People here will help you if you need anything and are very hospitable!”.

Former Internationals’ Impressions of Palestine

“I’ve never seen such beautiful rolling hills before. The mix of greens and browns with a white rock makes the land unique”, explains Justin from the USA, who is Teaching English and Studying Arabic. “My first impression of the people in Palestine was how polite and kind they are to each other.

You won’t find them talking about their cars or watches; they are very down-to-earth people”. He adds that you should know the call to prayer is sung out five times a day throughout the city on loudspeakers. Once at sunrise, at noon, in the afternoon, at sundown, and once in the evening. “It is completely normal and something you will get used to, maybe even enjoy.”

Final Conclusions

Itzel from Mexico, who is volunteering to teach English, said her first impression was the familiar hustle and bustle of the city “You have to learn how to cross the street by walking with purpose; if you wait, the cars will never stop for you to cross, you have to be careful and learn to walk out on the street when there is a gap in the cars and the ones approaching will slow down or stop for you to cross”.

At her host family, Itzel said she is always being fed, “delicious food is always available; my host family is always offering me something to eat!”. Give everything a try, and if you are full, politely refuse. It may be a bit of a culture shock, but you will surely feel at home during your stay in Hebron!

Get Further Information 

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/

Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/

WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

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