Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine: You are invited to Join us at the Excellence Center in Palestine and volunteer in our Environment and Conservation program, aimed at teaching Palestinian youth, refugees, and children about the importance of preserving the environment. In the West Bank, Palestine, there is a pressing need for such programs as many residents of Hebron are not aware of the harmful effects of littering and environmental neglect on their own lands and streets.

This volunteer program is an excellent opportunity for students, graduates, and travelers interested in environment and conservation in the West Bank. If you’re a university student looking for an environment and conservation program abroad to supplement your studies during your summer break, this program is ideal for you.

By joining our volunteer program in the West Bank, you will have the chance to share your passion for the environment and conservation while experiencing Palestinian daily life and learning about Palestinian culture firsthand. We offer our participants 3 hours of complimentary Arabic Classes each week, taught one-to-one or in small groups of 2-3 students, as well as accommodation during their stay.

Whether you’re looking for a summer volunteer project, a winter break adventure, or any other time in between, you are always welcome to join us. Volunteer with us today and help make a positive impact on the environment and the lives of Palestinian youth.

Environment And Conservation Projects 

Through this volunteering program in the West Bank, Palestine, you will have the possibility to implement and develop your own focus and presentation about environmental issues in the subjects and topics that interest you most.

You will have the opportunity to engage with the local community, particularly Palestinian youth to learn, to teach and to exchange ideas particularly in the fields of environment and conservation. You can partake in this program from as little as one week up to 13 weeks and we welcome participants all year round.

Who Can Volunteer With Us In Palestine? 

Everyone who is passionate about the environment can join our volunteering program in the city of Hebron, West Bank Palestine and no special skills or qualifications are needed.

Here at the Excellence Center, we pride ourselves on our international openness towards people of all nations, religions and cultures. For us, there is no ‘foreigner’, simply people with unique cultural perspectives, from whom we are delighted to learn and share our time and experiences with.

Where Do Our Participants Come From?

The Center has previously welcomed volunteers from countries such as the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK and many more.

Is your country not on the list? Then now is your chance to become a trail blazer and become the first representative of your nation, and join our ever expanding international community.

All people are welcome! 

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Age +18 
• Possess an interest in environment and conservation
• Positive and open-minded
• Ability to communicate in English 

Your Impact

By applying your knowledge, experience, and passion for the environment and conservation, volunteering in the West Bank can make a significant difference in the lives of Palestinian youth, refugees, and children. Once you arrive in Hebron, you will have the chance to gain firsthand knowledge about the environmental and conservation issues that the local community faces.

In addition, you will be able to engage with the community and lead workshops, seminars, and other projects aimed at educating Palestinian youth about these topics, fostering awareness, inspiring change, and creating a better future. The program is in high demand, especially in Hebron, where littering and environmental neglect are prevalent issues.

Reviews, Awards And Recognition

The Excellence Center in Palestine has welcomed individuals from all over the world since 2011. While we continuously develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, the Center’s fundamental mission remains the same: to connect, teach and develop individuals within the local and international community.

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”. 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2021 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “best language school”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.” 

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. 

The volunteer and internship programs at the Excellence Center in Palestine has more than;

• +560 reviews (96%) on gooverseas.com
• +120 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
• Volunteers and interns video testimonials

Volunteer In Summer

If you’re a university student searching for volunteer opportunities in environment and conservation abroad to get first-hand, real-world experience over the summer months, our Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine in Summer is an ideal opportunity for you. 

Participating in this program will allow you to apply your knowledge gained from your studies in a real-life context in the local Palestinian community. You will not only get to learn about the current environmental and conservation issues faced by local Palestinians, but you will get to engage with youth, share your knowledge with them by teaching classes and workshops to help make a difference in their lives and in the wider community.

While we our Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine year-round, we also have dedicated summer volunteer programs specifically designed for students looking for opportunities to volunteer abroad, while also gaining university credit. Depending on your preference, your time spent in the program can range from 1 week up to 3 months. Additionally, The Excellence Center is able to grant academic credit to our already enrolled university students thanks to collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.

We invite you to join our program to make the most of this excellent chance to travel throughout the summer, learn about Palestinian culture and society, obtain practical experience in a related profession, and work towards your degree all at the same time.

Our Other Programs

If a volunteering with the environment and conservation program is not what you are looking for, we operate a broad variety of volunteer programs at the Excellence Center. Alternatively, you might feel like participating in more than one or trying something different instead and you are welcome to do this. For example, you may choose to join the Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine for three weeks and then join our Human Rights Program in West Bank for a fourth week. 

You can choose a volunteer program or programs where you can thrive and make a significant contribution, regardless of your hobbies or areas of expertise in the arts, sports, refugee care, laws and justice, education, environmental and humanitarian issues, or just fostering professional growth. 

Our wide array of short-term volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine include: 

A Flexible Program

Participants in the Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine are welcome to choose what kind of activities they would like to organize during the program and their target group (university students, school students, women, community members, certain age groups).

We understand that our international participants have different skills, interests and circumstances, so we are very flexible with the kids of activities and experiences you wish to have. Additionally, the length of the program is very flexible, you may join us from as little as one week, up to 13 weeks. 

What Language Is The Program Run In?

Although the Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine is conducted in English, learning some basic Arabic will be very helpful when you are interacting with locals in Palestine.

Brief Information About The Program

Your program will have its headquarters at Excellence Center’s facilities in Hebron, Palestine. Hebron is West Bank’s biggest city, famous for its local industries and its lively economic sphere. Our Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and passion for preserving the environment.

For this volunteering opportunity in Hebron, West Bank, you will create and provide different lectures, workshops, and activities aimed at raising awareness in Hebron about Palestinians’ effect on the environment, and how they can adjust their lifestyle to make their city a cleaner and more environmentally friendly place.

When You Arrive In Hebron, Palestine

Before deciding a schedule, volunteers will be welcomed at the Center and will be given orientation about Hebron and Palestinian culture, including both Arabic language classes and an introduction to Palestinian culture.

In order for you to be as involved as possible in the Palestinian community and culture, the Center will provide you with accommodation in a Palestinian host family who will help you in your acclimation and with any issues that might arise. Male volunteers may instead stay at the Excellence Center dorm.

Decide What Kind Of Activities To Develop 

After the introduction to the Palestinian culture and life, you will get to decide what kind of activities to develop and present to your students. These will be based on your individual knowledge and topic interest, your field of specialty, and your level of experience & skills on the subject of Environmental Conservation. 

We are very flexible, and you will be free to choose which activities to introduce and implement in your own syllabus and schedule.

Which Kind Of Activities Can You Organize During Your Volunteering Period?

There are many activities suitable for all levels that we wish to carry out throughout this program, such as:

• Organizing workshops for local authorities and municipal bodies about countries whose recycling systems are effective and worthy of emulation.

• Organizing environmental clubs for school students. 

• Raising awareness for Hebron’s community (school and university students as well as community members), covering topics like the basis of recycling, the economic impact of recycling, the consequences of excessive packaging and so on.

• Visit local schools and universities in and around Hebron to educate them about the above-mentioned issues.

Benefits Of Volunteering In Palestine

Volunteers in our Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine enjoy a number of benefits during their stay in the West Bank city of Hebron, examples include:

• Living in Hebron and traveling to the old city, the religious sites, and other places throughout your stay

• Engaging with the local community and promoting dialogue about the environment and conservation

• Learn spoken Arabic from native speakers while taking full advantage of the chance to interact with locals

• 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week

• Exposure to daily life in Hebron, Palestinian culture and society

• Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family or stay in our male apartment

• Opportunities to eat and enjoy local Palestinian foods and desserts

• Enjoy the performances and activities offered during Palestinian cultural nights

• Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with an authentic native perspective, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho

• Ability to visit nearby cities as well as in those in Jordan including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth

• Access to well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you

• A participant’s certificate upon completion.

Arabic Classes For Program Participants

All of our international volunteers and interns receive 3 hours of Arabic classes per week (or 12 hours per month) with a skilled and knowledgable Palestinian teacher. These lessons are suitable for all levels of Arabic, no matter if you are a total beginner or advanced.

Furthermore, visiting Palestine offers you numerous opportunities to interact with Palestinian people, who are very friendly and hospitable. Interacting with Palestinians in the community allows you to practice and deepen your knowledge of Arabic. 

Arabic Dialects To Choose From

There are several types of Arabic, and as a volunteer or intern, you can freely choose what kind 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 and help you choose the one most appropriate for your needs, however they are all beneficial and our teachers are all very knowledgeable.

Accommodation

We provide accommodation for you during your time with us in Hebron. For male participants, you may choose to live in our male dorm in Hebron or, if a Palestinian host family is available, you may do so if space permits. Both situations have benefits, but those who live in a dorm will have more time to get to know the other participants. Due to the dorms’ proximity to Hebron’s city center, you will also have plenty of chances to explore the city with your housemates and have fascinating adventures.

Living with a Palestinian host family is the second choice, largely open to female participants. Choosing this option gives you firsthand knowledge of Palestinian culture, customs, and way of life. Additionally, living with a host family gives you lots of chances to learn about Palestinian culture, including the food and family dynamics. Participants living with a host family are also more likely to be invited to family get-togethers and cultural activities, which will ensure you have a wonderful cultural immersion experience!

While we are pleased to assist you in finding housing that meets your needs, participants who opt to reside in private accommodations are responsible for their own costs.

A Typical Day At The Excellence Center

Your work commitment will be approximately 25-30 hours each week; from around 10 am until 5 pm, Saturday to Thursday, with two days off – Friday, and another day of your choice. 

Normally, international volunteers start the day with a breakfast at the Excellence Center together with teachers, volunteers from other programs, and directors. This gives you the ability to meet and network with others while enjoying delicious Palestinian food. 

You may arrange your own lunch whenever you have a break in your schedule, and it is easy to find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, shawarma and falafel near to The Excellence Center. 

You will also have the opportunity to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron coordinated by the Excellence Center. On top of that, you will also have your own Arabic class schedule in addition to your program’s other activities.

Leisure Time

You will usually have your evenings free, although the Center occasionally organizes optional activities as well. During the evenings, our volunteers often arrange to go to a cafe to study or socialize, have dinner at a restaurant together, spend time with their host family (only for female volunteers), or go to a local gym.

On your days off or in your leisure time, you are able to travel to other nearby cities and there are often other international volunteers who would love to explore them with you.

You might be shocked by how quickly your calendar will get booked up and how rapidly the time will pass.

Quick Facts About The Volunteer In Environment And Conservation Program In Palestine

Eligibility For Our Program

People who are between 18 – 75 years old are eligible to participate in the Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine. 

All nationalities and majors are welcome! You do not need to have a particular degree to participate in this program.

When Does It Take Place? 

The Excellence Center is looking for international volunteers year-round. Volunteers decide when they would like to start, and the Excellence Center organizes the schedule and arrangement around your chosen dates.

We are very flexible when it comes to starting dates and duration – participants freely choose their volunteer period. You can stay from one to 13 weeks. 

Program Fees

The Excellence Center charges a fee of 750€ Euro a month or 250€ a week. The program fees include

• Pre-departure support
• Accommodations
• Breakfast
• Full coordination while volunteering in Palestine
• 3 hours per week of Arabic lessons for each week you volunteer
• Some visits to different sites in the city of Hebron
• Certificate of completion

In Conclusion

Our Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine is a unique opportunity to get valuable experience in your field of interest –which will certainly will stand out on your resume – and to make a major contribution to the Palestinian community. For international students seeking an environment and conservation program abroad, we can even provide you with university credit towards your studies. This volunteer program takes place in the city of Hebron, in the center of Palestine. During your time with us, we take care of your accommodation for you – men usually stay in our male dorm and women generally stay with a Palestinian host family.

This program allows you to experience Palestinian daily life and culture first-hand, while also engaging with community members to run projects, such as classes and workshops, in the fields of environment and conservation. Hebron is particularly in need of this kind of program due to the prevalence of littering and other environmental neglect. By volunteering, you may contribute to raising awareness about issues and solutions in these fields and having an impact on the local community.

During your time in Hebron, you will also have the chance to go on sightseeing trips around Hebron (arranged by us), try traditional Palestinian foods and drinks, meet Palestinians and hear their stories, meet other likeminded international volunteers and interns and also to travel on your days off. 

We also provide you with three hours of Arabic classes per week and two full days off per week. Even on the days that you are at the Center, you will still have some free time to use however you wish. On your two days off  per week, it is easy to travel to other nearby cities such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jericho, Nablus, Tulkarem and more. Traveling to these other cities is a valuable experience and will also give you the chance to compare and contrast life in other cities to Hebron as well as to your home country.

You can choose to stay with us from anywhere between 1-13 weeks. But no matter how long you decide to stay, we’ll help you have a delightful and memorable experience both at our center and in our beautiful city.

How To Get A Visa To Visit Palestine 

Most of our international participants get a tourist visa valid for three months (90 days) upon arrival, when they either fly into Israeli airports (Tel Aviv or Eilat) or cross from Jordan to the West Bank. 

Generally, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, Australians, Brits and most Europeans in order to enter Palestine but please refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. 

The visa you receive upon arrival is sufficient for participation in the Excellence Center’s programs. It is also valid for both Israel and Palestine and enables you to travel freely in the Israel and Palestinian territories for up to 3 months (90 days) from the visa start date. 

How To Fly To Palestine 

Unfortunately, there are no airports in Palestine; as such it is currently impossible to fly directly into the West Bank. Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad. However, international volunteers and interns can fly to Israeli airports and then cross to Palestine. We believe the easiest ways to get to the Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine are:

• To fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center in Hebron via shared Taxi.

• You can fly to Eilat airport and then travel by booking a shuttle or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. The whole trip can last between 6-7 hours.

• You can also fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan and then cross to Palestine, but this route takes more time and is more expensive.

Traveling To And From Hebron, West Bank 

We know that as an international participant, you are likely to have questions about traveling to Hebron and Palestine. The Excellence Center has all the resources that you will need to travel in an efficient, safe and practical manner. 

Please read the following articles below for useful information and guidance:

•  How to travel to Palestine
•  How to get to Hebron, Palestine
•  Planning your trip to Palestine
•  How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron

If you have any further questions, you are always welcome to contact us.

West Bank Tel Aviv Airport Pickups

The Excellence Center staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you straight to Hebron and the Center. This is the easiest and fastest way (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to us.

Additional fees apply and the trip costs about 160 Euro. Please let us know if you are interested in this option.

Safety Of Our Volunteers And Interns

The region of Palestine is perpetually unstable. While there is always unrest and war, the situation sometimes becomes more volatile. Nonetheless, each year millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank, including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus and many other cities without any safety issues. Palestinians in general are a welcoming and hospitable people and they recognize the politics of a country may differ from its people.  

Since its formation in 2011, the Excellence Center has welcomed over 1,000 international visitors. These visitors have lived and worked in Hebron for weeks or months at a time and overall they never faced any threats or safety issues while in Hebron or the West Bank in general.

Moreover, the Excellence Centre is situated in an area of Hebron which is under the Palestinian authority and in the heart of the city. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are located near the Excellence Center as well.

How To Get Further Information And The Application Form

Please send us an email of interest to Rafat@excellencenter.org, with “Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine” as the subject line. We will then send you the application form. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Rafat@excellencenter.org

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