“My motivation to volunteer for the Excellence Center in Palestine is simple; learn new things and expand my mind. First by deepening my study of the Arabic language, second by learning first hand more about the history and culture of the area, and third by being able to contribute with and develop my professional skills through volunteering with local organizations. A further, more personal motivation lies in my desire to step out of my comfortable and privileged life to gain context, reflect on what truly matters in life and root in my service to others.
I am a Cultural Anthropologist with a Masters in Peace Studies and am extremely interested learning about the culture and history of Palestine and the region. I truly believe that participant observation is the best way to learn about a place. Previous reading and research can be useful, but there is nothing like living and experiencing the area first hand. The richness and diversity of the local cultural history is one of the main reasons i wish to be here.
Coming to Hebron has been a pleasant experience. I find that my nervousness and the stress I created previous to arrival was completely unnecessary. The arrival, even though it was in the middle of the night went smoothly and I was able to enter the country without any uncomfortable questioning. Coming to Hebron was also quite simple, even though the trip was long and chopped up in trajectories which could work much better if done in one go. I braced myself with patience and received help from everyone I asked.
Upon arrival to the Excellence Center I was welcomed and invited immediately to participate in exciting activities, we visited a Refugee Camp and got to immerse myself in the situation for many people of the area.
After that I met with my host family, or better said host mother as she is the only person in the family I get to talk to, apparently teenage boys are not so interested in talking to us internationals.
The people of Palestine are amazing, so friendly and hospitable. I feel at home already and am really looking forward to meeting more people and getting to practice the language with them while I learn about their culture and traditions.”
