The Palestine and Israel 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 Internship 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 humanities, political sciences, or Middle Eastern studies student looking to frame your knowledge within a cultural context, this internship program in Palestine is particularly pertinent. You will explore the occupation in the West Bank and meet Palestinian civilians, local human rights activists, and families who are subject to Israeli military law.
In addition to these great opportunities, you will receive an Arabic language course tailored to your 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.
The Palestine and Israel Internship 2026/2027
The Excellence Center is now accepting applications for The Palestine and Israel Internship for 2026/2027. This program offers a comprehensive opportunity to explore the political, social, and historical dynamics of Palestine and Israel. Interns will participate in research, dialogue sessions, and educational initiatives, working closely with local communities and experts. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in Middle Eastern studies, conflict resolution, or international relations, and who seek a deeper, on-the-ground understanding of the region.
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Volunteering for the “Palestine and Israel Internship” in the West Bank
As an intern in the Palestine and Israel Internship Program, you will study the issues at hand and work with us to create constructive programs geared towards benefiting members of the Palestinian community, such as designing workshops that address fundamental cultural differences.
At the Excellence Center in Palestine, we want to invite people from around the world to come to Palestine and utilize their expertise to help the people of Hebron.
Who Can Participate?
The Excellence Center in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis, including nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernible means. Furthermore, we have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe.
Including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, China and New Zealand.
Program Structure
The Excellence Center in Palestine works with and is supported by the Palestinian Educational Authority, meaning that university credits are available for many of its summer internship programs, making this program a desirable internship opportunity. Enrolling in this internship program will give you a broader perspective on the Israeli/Palestinian situation.
Additionally, you can create dialogues on the contemporary situation in Palestine with university staff and students, lawyers, human rights actors, local politicians, and everyday people. This summer internship is ideal for students seeking a unique, hands-on experience.
Community-Based Outreach Activities
Designed to increase your knowledge of the conflict, you will act as a cultural ambassador for your country by spearheading community outreach programs for cross-cultural communication. For example, you will visit Palestinian refugee camps and discuss the geopolitical circumstances of Palestine with local politicians and activists.
Examples of outreach activities in Hebron, Palestine, include organizing educational workshops (such as conversational English lessons for Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees), CV and employment workshops, and computer programming workshops. Furthermore, we are flexible and are happy to help you design and deliver a workshop for any skill you’d like to teach.
Moreover, in Hebron, you can organize community sporting events, informational and cultural presentations, and others of your choice. But don’t worry, you won’t have to go through it alone as you will work with local Palestinians to enact these programs and gain sources of inspiration. The sky’s the limit at the Excellence Center in Palestine!
Internship Options
However, if this program is not for you (or if you just fancy partaking in more than one or trying something new instead), we run a wide range of volunteer projects at the Excellence Centre. Covering a variety of subjects, whether you have interests or expertise in arts, sports, Palestinian refugee care, laws, and justice, education, environmental and humanitarian Issues, or just promoting professional development, you can undoubtedly find a volunteering program in which you can flourish and significantly contribute.
Program Details and Additional Activities in Palestine
Volunteers in the Palestine and Israel Internship based in Hebron, West Bank, will receive the following benefits. More details are given below. These include:
- 12 hours of Arabic lessons for each month you intern
- Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or a shared flat
- Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
- Pre-departure and support during your time in Palestine
- Visits to various sites in Hebron (including refugee camps, the old city, different factories, etc.)
- Understanding of Palestinian politics and the experience of occupation in the West Bank
- Getting to know the human rights situation and helping the Palestinian refugees.
- Engagement in educational, social, and community activities
- Palestinian hospitality and a pleasant climate
- Living and gaining impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East
- The opportunity to visit unique tourist attractions with a native perspective – including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- Visiting nearby cities both nationally and internationally, such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth
- Help from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds.
- A certificate upon completion
Arabic Classes For Program Participants
Our international volunteers and interns receive 3 hours of Arabic class per week with an experienced and knowledgeable Palestinian teacher. Additionally, there are plenty of chances to meet many people in Palestine, allowing you to learn further and practice your Arabic skills.
But that’s not all, because as a thank you for your time with us, you can freely choose what dialect of Arabic you would like to learn from the following list:
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Colloquial Shami/Levantine Arabic (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine)
- A mixed program between MSA and colloquial dialects
If you are unsure which dialect to study, we can guide you and help you choose the most appropriate one for your needs. However, they are all beneficial, and our teachers are all very knowledgeable.
Program Accommodation
You can reside with a Palestinian host family during your time in Hebron, Palestine. This will give you a valuable chance to immerse yourself entirely in Arabic and have a rare look into Palestinian culture and life. This means taking part in family meals, witnessing and attending Palestinian cultural events, and seeing the ins and outs of daily life.
However, if a host family is unavailable (which applies only to male participants), staying in a nice, modern shared flat is available just a five-minute walk from the Excellence Center.
The Palestine and Israel Internship: Overview
| Place of Internship Program | Hebron, West Bank, Palestine |
| Program Fees (Per Week) | 300 Euros per week (See Prices Here) |
| Age | 18-75 |
| Duration | 1 – 13 weeks |
| Internship Program Focus | The Politics of Palestine and Israel Israel and Palestine Case Politics and History of Palestine Human Rights in the West Bank |
| Perfect for Anyone Interested in | Middle Eastern studies Conflict and refugee studies Politics in the West Bank Human Rights in West Bank |
| Number of Participants | Variable (3-6) |
| Expected Working Hours | 30 hours per week |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| University Credit | Available |
| Program Language | English |
What Language Is The Program Run In?
The Palestine and Israel Internship is geared toward English speakers; however, for the sake of immersion, the higher the course level, the less English will be utilized in the classroom. Furthermore, when navigating through Hebron, you must use your Arabic skills to the best of your ability, creating a fully immersive experience.
Additional Services and Customization Options
Additional Arabic Language Hours: Participants can add extra weekly Arabic lessons for a more intensive learning experience.
Private Accommodation Options: Participants may choose a private room or an apartment located just 3 minutes from the center.
Family-Friendly Housing: Families with children are welcome, with suitable accommodation options available for a comfortable stay.
Combined Study and Practical Experience: Participants can combine Arabic language study with volunteer or internship programs for a more hands-on experience.
Online Arabic Lessons: Available before and after the program to support continued language development.
Traveling to Palestine On Your Own?
No worries, you’ve come to the right place!
You will meet many participants from overseas who are also involved in our volunteer abroad programs, university students, and a community of people with various interests. Palestinians in Hebron, in particular, love to meet new people from different cultures and exchange ideas and experiences.
For everyone here, it is like belonging to one family, and there are always activities to do together in Hebron’s fantastic social scene.
What do the Programs in Palestine include?
| Program Content |
|---|
| A homestay with a Palestinian family or a stay in a nice apartment |
| Family breakfast during the work week |
| 3 hours of Arabic per week (can be increased to 6, 9, or 12 hours for an additional fee) |
| Guided tours in Hebron’s Old City |
| Visits to Palestinian refugee camps |
| 24/7 support during your time in Palestine |
| Certificate upon the completion of the program |
| Cultural immersion activities throughout your stay |
Program Costs & Information
Our fees are priced competitively with other abroad programs, with the stated costs below covering the following expenses:
- Housing
- Language courses
- Center’s operating costs
- Breakfast (Mon – Fri)
- Group excursions
A Flexible Program
The Excellence Center in Palestine will work with you to tailor this volunteer position to your experience and skills. We are very flexible, so you can freely choose what activities and workshops you would like to implement during your time with us.
Looking for volunteers year-round, you decide when you want to start, and we organize things accordingly. You can volunteer anywhere between 1-13 weeks.
Support Materials to Help You Get Started
To help participants transition smoothly into their new environment, a range of support materials is provided upon arrival. These resources are carefully designed to answer common questions and offer guidance on both practical and cultural aspects of life in Palestine. They play a key role in helping participants feel comfortable and well-prepared from the very beginning.
Among these resources is the Orientation Guide for participants in the Excellence Center in Palestine, which introduces the program structure, expectations, and key information about daily life. In addition, the Travel Guide to Palestine offers essential advice on transportation, local customs, and important locations, helping participants navigate their surroundings with ease.
Participants also receive a Daily Schedule Guide, which outlines their weekly activities, classes, and responsibilities. Together, these documents ensure that participants can quickly find their rhythm, understand their commitments, and fully engage in their experience from day one.
How to Get to Palestine?
- Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel. A shared cab from the airport to Hebron takes roughly two and a half hours.
The most convenient method to reach us at the Excellence Center in Palestine is to fly to:
Alternatively:
- Fly to Eilat airport in the south of Israel, take a shuttle or bus to Jerusalem, and finally, go to Hebron. The travel, however, can last between six and seven hours.
- Flying to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then crossing the border into Palestine. This, however, takes more time and is more expensive.
Traveling to and from Hebron, West Bank
All Excellence Center in Palestine volunteers travel to and from Hebron using single or shared taxis that pass through checkpoints.
You will find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron and the Excellence Center in Palestine, with relevant contact information in these four articles:
- How to fly to Palestine
- How to get to Hebron, Palestine
- Planning your trip to Palestine
- How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, to Hebron
The Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Palestine
Mornings
Volunteering in Palestine requires commitment and flexibility. Volunteers usually work around 30 hours per week (10:00–17:00) and have two days off (Friday, when the center is closed, and one additional day of your choice).
Each morning, breakfast is shared at the center and includes traditional Palestinian foods such as bread, olive oil, za’atar, hummus, labneh, falafel, and fresh vegetables. Staff, volunteers, and interns sit together, creating a warm, communal atmosphere and a chance to connect.
Afternoon
The Excellence Center in Palestine also facilitates regular afternoon excursions to Hebron and neighboring cities throughout the week. Participants learn Arabic, visit refugee camps, take part in community activities, and also lead workshops and classes.
Evening and Weekends
Evenings are generally free time, giving volunteers the opportunity to relax after the working day or explore Hebron at their own pace. Many choose to spend this time with fellow volunteers or colleagues, meeting each other at the center, cooking together, or enjoying shisha in a social setting, as well as discovering local cafés, restaurants, and cultural or historical sites around the city.
Trips to nearby areas such as Halhul and Masafer Yatta are also common. Weekends provide a welcome break from the routine and are an opportunity for rest, travel, and independent exploration, including overnight stays away from Hebron.
How Do I Get A Visa To Visit Palestine?
Most of our international participants get a three-month tourist visa when flying to Israeli airports or crossing from Jordan to the West Bank.
Generally, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine, but please refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa valid for 90 days. This is sufficient for participation in the Excellence Center in Palestine’s programs and enables you to travel around Palestine and Israel easily.
Safety Of Our Volunteers And Interns
The region of Palestine is perpetually unstable. While there is always unrest, the situation sometimes becomes more volatile. Nonetheless, millions of tourists, without safety issues, visit Palestine and the West Bank each year, including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities. Palestinians, in general, are a welcoming and hospitable people, and they recognize that the politics of a country may differ from its people.
Since its formation in 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has welcomed over 1,000 international visitors. These visitors have lived and worked in Hebron for weeks or months and have never faced any threats or safety issues while in Hebron or the West Bank in general.
Moreover, the Excellence Center is situated in the heart of Hebron, in an area under Palestinian authority. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are also located near the Excellence Center in Palestine.
Criteria for Participants in the Program
Required:
- Aged between 18 and 75 years (although exceptions can be made in exceptional circumstances)
- Ability to converse fluently in English or Arabic
- Willing to meet and interact with a diverse spectrum of Palestinian people
- A desire to learn and a positive attitude
Not Required:
- Arabic fluency
- Travel experience
- Teaching experience or an equivalent educational degree
- Being an English native speaker
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Rafat@excellencenter.org or Whatsapp:+972-599-479 880. We look forward to hearing from you!
Awards, Recognition, And Program Reviews
The Excellence Center in Palestine has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards and recognized as the Best Language School and Top Volunteer and Internship Program Provider for 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. For more details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +1000 reviews (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +190 reviews (93%) on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
- Our Awards
Summary: Join Our Family in Palestine
The Palestine and Israel Internship offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage deeply with the region’s political, historical, and cultural complexities. From meeting Palestinian civilians, activists, and refugees to exploring the nuances of Israeli military law and its effects, participants gain an insider’s perspective that extends far beyond traditional academic learning. This program allows interns to witness the realities of life under occupation, offering a profound understanding of human rights challenges while actively contributing through workshops and community outreach initiatives.
Tailored to participants’ skills and interests, the internship fosters cross-cultural dialogue and equips individuals with the tools to analyze and address the unique circumstances faced by Palestinians in the West Bank. Beyond the intellectual and cultural immersion, the internship also provides participants with practical benefits, including Arabic language lessons, accommodation with local host families, and opportunities to explore Hebron and other cities in the region.
The program’s flexible structure ensures it meets the needs of students, professionals, and anyone passionate about Middle Eastern studies, human rights, or conflict resolution. Whether through teaching English, organizing workshops, or conducting research, participants leave with valuable knowledge, meaningful experiences, and a deeper connection to one of the world’s most dynamic and contested regions. This is not just an internship but a life-changing journey toward greater understanding and impactful action.
How To Apply
If you are interested in participating in our Israeli–Palestinian conflict program, please email us at Rafat@excellencenter.org. We aim to respond to your initial inquiry within 1 – 2 business days. In the subject line of your email, write, “The Palestine and Israel Internship.” Upon writing back to you, we will attach an application form, which you will fill out and return to us to begin onboarding.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:
WhatsApp: +972 599 479 880
Email: Rafat@excellencenter.org
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
Volunteer For Palestine: https://volunteerforpalestine.org/
Volunteer In Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
Study In Palestine: https://studyinpalestine.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
