Tips for International Volunteering in Palestine: If you are planning to come to Palestine to volunteer, you may be interested in knowing what previous volunteers learned about Palestine during their stay—specifically, how to live here comfortably and make the most of your experience.
Below are a few general tips that have proved helpful in the past for international volunteers living in Palestine.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
People in Palestine are generally extremely helpful when it comes to questions on just about any aspect of life here. As soon as you arrive in Palestine, you will benefit greatly by asking locals for directions.
Some volunteers in Palestine have found it helpful to ask local people how much they pay for services like taxis, buses, etc, in order to make sure that they are getting a fair price.
Palestinian people will also help walk you through their customs and conventions on interaction if you ask them to. For example, how to eat, how to dress, how to greet people and say goodbye, etc. Knowing these most basic aspects of Palestinian socialization can help foster more meaningful and productive interactions, as well as help you fit into your surroundings.
Another thing you may also want to ask local people is where they tend to go for things like food, fun, etc. Local people will surely be able to direct towards whatever sort of experience you are looking for, be it cultural, culinary, educational, etc.
- Try participating in the local culture
From their own experience, many volunteers and travelers in Palestine will tell you that you can benefit greatly by stepping out of your comfort zone a bit and participating in local cultural/religious activities.
To give just one example, many volunteers who arrive during the month of Ramadan choose to participate in the fasting that is central to this holy month. Even if you are not Muslim, the people here will be impressed by your willingness to participate in their culture, and help you out along the way.
It is also an enriching experience to visit holy sites from time to time, such as the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, or the Western Wall in Jerusalem, or the Tomb of the Patriarch in Hebron. These cultural and religious landmarks are part of what makes Palestine such a historically rich and unique place.
- Try to learn at least a few Arabic words and phrases
For many of the same reasons mentioned above, learning to speak even a few words in Arabic can greatly enhance your experience abroad. Local people will be happy to hear you speaking Arabic, even if you are not an expert, and will feel that you are respectful and interested in their culture.
Speaking from experience, the most helpful set of vocabulary regard pleasantries (ie. Hello, thanks, you’re welcome, take care, etc), and words for commonly purchased items like food and clothing.
- Have fun!
Traveling is just as much about enjoying yourself as it is about learning. One of the most important things that you can do while in Palestine is outgoing and make the most of the experience, rather than being shy and reserved. As long as you are trying your best to be friendly and respectful, there is nothing to worry about.
- Have a clear motivation
You will have to write a motivation letter before traveling to Palestine. Hopefully, this is not the first time you think or have been asked why you want to do it, but it is here that you first will have to write about it, why do you really want to embark on this adventure?
what is it you want to get out of the experience? do you want to learn something? Be specific about what you want to learn. Do you want to do something? be specific about what you want to do. Writing your motivation down is your first concrete plan, so do spend a good amount of time reflecting on it.
- Make a plan
To be completely honest the plan will likely be altered once on the ground, but it is still a good idea to have one. Divide your weeks or the time you are to volunteer and maybe set yourself goals for each section of time. If learning some Arabic is part of your plan, organize what you want to achieve each week, set yourself some benchmarks, this will motivate you to study and get the most out of the classes. It will also help the teachers better provide you what you need.
If you want to help the community by volunteering with one of the community development, human rights, music, health, etc. programs then make a list with specific things you can teach, what your skills are and what you want to achieve with each class or workshop. This will not only help you structure yourself, but it will also help the coordinators do a better job. Plans are good, even if they do not get fully realized.
- Be flexible and patient
Once you arrive in Hebron, be aware that the everyday pace is most likely different than that you are used to. Schedules are not set on stone, and people are usually late or take their time. Don’t take it personally and allow yourself to learn from the experience. Use the time to talk to people and practice your Arabic.
By keeping a positive attitude and not getting upset when things don’t turn out the way you expected, you will enjoy yourself a lot more. If your plans don’t get fully realized then adapt and try to do things in a way that stay aligned with your goals and motivations.
- Communicate
Sometimes you might experience that after being flexible and patient, the activities are not aligned with your motivations or goals for volunteering or being at The Excellence Center. If this is the case then communicate it in a respectful and constructive way.
The staff will listen to you and most likely try to help you find a solution together. If you can bring suggestions about how you think it would be better for you to do things it will be even easier for the staff to find a way to make your experience even more gratifying. Communicating is always a good idea.
Final Conclusion
In conclusion, have a concrete plan but keep an open mind and be flexible. Every moment has the potential to be a learning moment, and ultimately it is up to you if you get the best out of it. Especially if this requires communicating with the staff to suggest some changes that will make your stay with The Excellence Center even better.
