At the Excellence Center in Palestine, we provide diverse volunteer and internship programs in the city of Hebron, West Bank, suitable for short-term and long-term commitments. Volunteers in Palestine can join us for 1-13 weeks (spring, summer, fall, and winter) and engage with various members of the local community, including Palestinian children, youth, women, refugees, young adults, university students, and families.
Our volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine involve practicing conversational English, organizing workshops on various subjects, and teaching English in Hebron’s lively social setting. Our immersive and authentic approach provides a comprehensive experience for volunteers looking to work in a unique and vibrant environment in Palestine.
The Excellence Center in Palestine provides affordable and accessible volunteer and internship programs in Hebron, West Bank. Our programs are open to native and non-native English speakers who want to help the Palestinian community while learning Arabic. We offer a range of programs, including teaching English as a foreign language and workshops on human rights, as well as the legal and political situations in the West Bank.
Our Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine program is open to all English speakers, whether they are undergraduates, graduates, professionals, or retired individuals. This program is a great opportunity for anyone looking to volunteer in Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the Middle East, or the wider Arabic world.
Volunteer in Hebron, West Bank
Our diverse range of volunteer projects in Hebron, West Bank are available year-round to our international volunteers on a flexible basis, offering brilliant, informative opportunities for people who are:
- Looking to travel in the Israel/ Palestine area.
- Interested in summer volunteering programs, particularly in the Middle East.
- College, university or gap year students looking for volunteering opportunities in Israel and Palestine.
- Interested to help Palestinian refugees and children
- Concerned about the political and humanitarian situation in the local region and the people and communities affected.
- Interested in Palestinian and Arabic culture, particularly those who want to learn and improve their Arabic.
Take the chance to travel on your own and see distinctive tourist sights from a local’s point of view, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
Moreover, Weekends in Israel exploring the famous historical cities such as Jericho, Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Masada are awaiting you! Travel to Jordan’s most ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid and Aqaba and broaden your experiences in the Middle East!
Travelling between Palestine and Israel is easy and inexpensive for international visitors and our volunteer programs provide our participants with plenty of free time to discover the area, even ensuring you make some new Palestinian friends along the way!
Summer Volunteer Programs In Palestine
Looking for volunteer or internship opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine or Israel during the summer months? The Excellence Center offers excellent options for individuals seeking to make a difference from May to September. These programs are ideal for students, native English speakers, and anyone with a summer break or an extended visit to Palestine.
Our summer volunteer programs in Palestine are designed to provide a comprehensive Arabic language learning experience combined with immersion in Palestinian culture, politics and history. Participants will have the opportunity to visit Bedouin areas such as Susiya, Palestinian refugee camps, local villages and community centers, enabling them to fully engage with the local community.
Volunteer & Internship Programs In Gaza
Gaza Strip offers a variety of volunteer programs. They cover important topics like human rights, teaching English, women’s rights in Palestine, supporting Palestinian refugees and children, journalism, Palestinian culture and politics.
The volunteer and internship opportunities in Gaza, Palestine are for a wide range of people, including students who study the Middle East and Arabic, people interested in politics, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, researchers studying Palestine and Israel, humanitarian workers, social workers, teachers, native English speakers, non-native English speakers, and anyone who wants to learn about Palestinian culture and daily life. Please click here for more information.
A Unique Cultural Exchange Opportunity
The volunteering programs in Palestine are designed to fully immerse you in Palestinian culture and forge strong relationships whilst challenging you as a person. As a volunteer, you will be making important contributions to the Palestinian community in Hebron by working with the men, women and children of the West Bank in a variety of ways. Furthermore, while embracing a new lifestyle, you will also be meeting plenty of new people, learning a new language and working alongside the local Palestinians and refugees in and around the West Bank.
As the Excellence Center aims at achieving a diverse cultural exchange and social dialogue with the Volunteer in Palestine Program, we have hosted hundreds of volunteers across the world, subsequently allowing us to have diverse perspectives and enriching activities and programs. In return for your services and experience, we promise that you’ll be immersed in Palestinian life and introduced to distinct Palestinian points of view. This cultural exchange can help you to understand the views, concerns, hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people and see beyond any stereotypes and misconceptions. Indeed, you will experience Palestine for yourself.
Furthermore, our various volunteer programs are designed to cater to all types of people: some who want to volunteer to teach English, some who want to volunteer with Palestinian Refugees and others who want to just immerse themselves in Palestinian culture with a cup of tea. As our programs make a difference and can be suited to match your desires, many volunteers choose to return to us year after year, either to continue volunteering in the same program or to experience a different volunteering opportunity entirely.
Who Comes To Volunteer In Palestine?
At the Excellence Center in Palestine, we gladly welcome volunteers and interns from a wide range of ages, specializations, backgrounds and places such as the USA, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan and many more.
Generally, we host international volunteers aged 18 and above but if you are younger than this, please feel free to contact us to discuss volunteering possibilities. As we have welcomed volunteers up to the age of 75, we have programs suitable for everyone.
With over 13 years of experience in welcoming international volunteers to the center, since opening in 2011, we have welcomed a broad range of applicants to participate in our volunteering programs including:
- University students who wish to experience and have intimate knowledge of the Palestine and Israel area
- Gap year students
- Older or retired people seeking adventure
- People who are interested in studying and practising their Arabic
- Participants who would like to know more about Israel/Palestine and the political and humanitarian situation firsthand
- College students who wish to write articles or conduct research in Palestine
- People who are interested in spending a short time in a community and family setting
- Everyone who is willing to help Palestinians and make a difference in the area
However, although we accept a wide range of people, one thing all of our volunteers share is an open mind and a willingness to learn and engage with Palestinian culture and customs. Arriving with a smile on the face and excitement coursing through the body, we do our best to ensure that you are still smiling when you leave, but also returning home with fond memories in addition.
Short Term Volunteer In Palestine Programs
Here at the Excellence Center in Hebron, West Bank we run a wide range of volunteer projects covering a large variety of subjects. Whether you have interests or expertise in arts, sport, law, justice, education, environmental and humanitarian issues or in promoting professional development, we believe you can find a volunteer program to flourish in and contribute to extensively.
Our short-term volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine include:
Arabic Lessons For All Our Volunteers
All of our international volunteers in Hebron, Palestine receive 3 hours of intensive Arabic classes a week (or 12 hours a month), with one of our experienced Palestinian teachers at the center. On top of this, you will also have plenty of opportunities to meet many people in Palestine to learn and practice your Arabic skills with. As we are flexible, you can freely choose what type of dialect you would like to learn.
Arabic Dialects To study
All volunteers at our base in Hebron, West Bank will receive a choice of Arabic dialects to learn during their time with us and as part of their volunteer placement. Currently, we offer a choice of:
- Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect) اللهجة العامية او الشامية
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- A mixed Program: (Modern Standard Arabic and Shami Arabic)
We can also help you choose which Arabic dialect to study if you are unsure.
Participate In many Extracurricular Activities
Organised by the Excellence Center, all of our international volunteers participate in educational, cultural and community activities during their time in the program, such as trips to the old city, Palestinian family home visits and tours of local industries to name a few. By doing this, you are able to see many different aspects of life in Palestine and expand your knowledge of the local and wider area.
Contribute To The Palestinian Local Community
Volunteers in Palestine can also play an important role in contributing to the Palestinian local community’s well-being as well as in building pathways to understanding. As we encourage volunteers to interact with locals and with Palestinian members of the refugee camps, many opportunities are offered on volunteer projects to support education and community development.
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine are well researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian legal affairs and human rights. We aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, women, refugees, youth and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.
Requirements To Volunteer In Palestine
Volunteering in our programs include several benefits that enable you to make a difference in your life as well as in others, and so they have been designed that you are not expected to be experts in your chosen field upon arrival, but to gain valuable experience as you go. Although some courses require a general university qualification, formal academic qualifications are often not required. As long as you possess these necessary requirements, you will be welcomed here:
- 18+ (although further restrictions may depend on program)
- A good attitude and willingness to learn
- An interest in meeting and engaging with many people in Palestine
- The ability to communicate in English
- Willing to be a part of a family
However, what you don’t need in order to volunteer in Palestine is:
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel experience
- To be a native speaker of English
- A degree in English or any specialization
- Experience in teaching English (for English teaching programs)
Areas of Volunteering In Palestine
The Excellence Center is very flexible when it comes to what you can do during your time here, therefore, we are willing to organize and include you in activities you would like to participate in. Below are some examples of tasks you can help other Palestinian teachers and internationals with or organize yourself:
- Teaching conversational English with Palestinian and international teachers at the center and helping other teachers in preparing their course outlines
- Educational and cultural activities such as organizing weekly workshops for the Palestinian community on different subjects e.g., cultural differences, writing resumes and writing formal emails
- Helping Palestinian teachers in assessing Palestinian students’ English capabilities
- Organizing activities according to your interests and expertise such as painting workshops, writing workshops, handicrafts, filming and photography
- Organizing fun and entertaining activities for our Palestinian students.
- Administrative activities such as helping our staff and interns in writing reports, making schedules, printing class materials, etc.
The table below gives some general information about all of our volunteering opportunities in Palestine
| Location of Volunteer Program | Hebron, West Bank, Palestine |
| Program Language | English |
| Volunteering Duration | 1-13 weeks |
| Starting/ Ending Dates | Volunteers can freely choose their starting and ending dates and we offer volunteer programs in Palestine year-round |
| Timeframe | Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round |
| Travel Type | Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women |
| Monthly Costs | 750€ a month 250€ a week |
| Homestay in Hebron | Palestinian host family Male dorm Private (additional fees apply) |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Reviews and Ratings | Reviews On Gooverseas.com Reviews On Goabroad.com Participants video testimonials |
| Tel Aviv Airport Pickup | Available (Fee applies) |
Brief information about the Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine Costs:
Since the Excellence Center does not receive funds from any governmental or non-governmental organization, we charge a fee of 750€ a month or 250€ a week depending on your length of stay. Included in these costs are:
- Community breakfast at the center each morning
- Accommodation
- Pre-departure and in-country support
- Arabic classes (3 hours a week)
- Certificate of completion
- Visits to different institutions in the city of Hebron, e.g. the old city, glass and ceramic factories, local companies, refugee camps, public parks and local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University
- Registration fee: 30€, payable at the time of registration.
Awards and Recognitions
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. Check out our many great reviews here:
- +730 Reviews (94%) on Gooverseas.com
- +160 Reviews (96%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Benefits Of Volunteering In Palestine
Volunteers in Palestine receive many benefits during their time in the city of Hebron, West Bank. By being totally immersed in the Palestinian culture, you will be able to participate in many educational, cultural, social and community development activities.
Benefits of volunteering in Palestine:
- Living in Hebron and visiting sites in the local and wider area
- Better Understand Palestinian politics and experience the occupation in the West Bank.
- Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals
- Get to know the human rights situation and supporting Palestinian refugees.
- Travelling to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem in your free time
- Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Spending time and living with a Palestinian host family, if desired
- Visiting Palestinian universities, local institutions and organizations specializing in culture and education
- Eating local Palestinian foods and delicacies
- Attending cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities in Hebron’s social hubs
Are You A Qualified Teacher?
If you have a degree in English, we recommend you consider our Teach For Palestine Program, as it is particularly suitable for people who have a formal education in the English language or are currently working as English teachers in their home country.
However, being a qualified teacher or having teaching experience is not a prerequisite for volunteering to teach English at the Excellence Center, as we welcome volunteers who show a true passion for teaching, a willingness to learn and who will value the experience. For more information, please check out courses such as the Teach English and Study Arabic Internship.
Travelling To Volunteer In Palestine On Your Own?
No worries, you’ve come to the right place!
The Excellence Center hosts volunteers in Palestine year-round and you will have many chances to meet other international participants as well as Palestinian students at the center and in the city of Hebron, West Bank.
Since many volunteers will be studying Arabic in Palestine or interning at the center, you will engage with them in educational and community activities. Moreover, you will work together as a team.
Additionally, everyone at the Excellence Center, including Palestinian students, international visitors and staff, are like one big family. Hebron is a good place for international visitors to stay as it offers a great social atmosphere; indeed, there are always activities to share in and memories to create during your time here.
When Can I Start And End My Program?
The Excellence Center is seeking volunteers in the West Bank, Palestine year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). Choose your preferred start date, and we’ll make it happen.
Flying Into Palestine
Unfortunately, there are no airports in Palestine and so it is currently impossible to fly directly into the West Bank. Although Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad, international volunteers and interns can fly to Israeli airports and then cross over to Palestine. We believe the easiest ways to get to the Excellence Center in Hebron are:
- To fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). From there, it takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center in Hebron via shared taxi.
- To fly to Eilat airport in Israel and then travel by booking a shuttle or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. However, this trip can last between 6-7 hours.
- To fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan and then cross over to Palestine, however this route takes more time and is more expensive.
Travelling To And From Hebron, West Bank
We know that many participants in the Volunteer and Study Arabic Programs, especially those traveling in the Israel/ Palestine region for the first time, naturally have queries on issues such as:
- How to get to Hebron, West Bank
- How to make your way to the Excellence Center once arriving
- Transportation in the area; which taxi you should take
- How to cross the checkpoints in the West Bank.
Hopefully all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron, Palestine and the Excellence Center (and some useful contact information) is provided 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
For any further questions, you are always welcome to get in touch with us.
Safety of Our Volunteers And Interns
The region of Palestine has not been stable for the last few decades, there is always unrest and war and sometimes it becomes more volatile and at other times it’s calmer. 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 welcoming and hospitable people and they recognize that the politics of a country and its people may differ.
Since it was formed in 2011, we have welcomed over 1000 international visitors. These visitors lived and worked in Hebron for a few weeks or months and overall, they did not face any threat nor were they unsafe in Hebron or the West Bank.
As we are 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 too.
How To Get A Volunteer Visa For Palestine
Most of our international participants get a tourist visa for three months when they fly to Israeli airports or cross from Jordan to the West Bank.
Generally, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians and most Europeans in order 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 that is valid for 90 days. This is sufficient for participation in the Excellence Center’s programs and to enable you to travel around Palestine and Israel easily.
How to Apply
Please send us an email at Rafat@excellencenter.org (CC Ms. Marwa Shantir at Info@excellencenter.org) and write “Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine Program,” as the subject line. We will then send you the application form.
In summary
The Excellence Center in Palestine offers a unique volunteer opportunity for people from all over the world to make a difference in the lives of the Palestinian residents and refugees in Hebron, West Bank. You will have the chance to fully immerse yourself in the local Palestinian culture, study Arabic and become involved in the community. Regardless of your age or background, the Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine Program has something to offer for everyone.
With our wide range of volunteer and internship programs in West Bank, Palestine, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests and gain valuable experience while working in an international setting and closely with the people of Palestine. In addition to working, volunteers will also be able to travel around the area and visit many historical sites in their free time there. Altogether, coming to the center will provide you with an invaluable volunteering experience that you will be able to use to enrich your career and your life.
Related Volunteer Programs
How To Get Further Information
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/
Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/
Volunteer in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
Study in Palestine: https://studyinpalestine.org/
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
