The Women’s Rights in Palestine program is a volunteer initiative which provides international visitors with the opportunity to visit Palestine and gain exclusive insight into women’s rights in the West Bank. Located in the vibrant city of Hebron, participants in the project will be provided with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organisations and engage in educational and cultural activities during their time with us.

Aimed at educating international participants about the current power dynamics of women in Palestinian society, interns will volunteer with Palestinian women by promoting their rights and empowering them in all spheres of life including the family, the workplace and in politics, all whilst ensuring they are safe from violence, exploitation and discrimination.

Altogether, this volunteer program will enable you to gain awareness about gender equality in Hebron (one of the most conservative cities in Palestine), whilst also allowing you to study and practice Arabic, meet other internationals and experience Palestinian daily life. 

Interning with the Women’s Rights in Palestine Program

Whilst this internship program runs year round, we believe it’s also a great opportunity as a summer internship for university students (see more information in the next section). This is a unique experience for students and non-students interested in the civil, human and legal rights of women in the West Bank, as well as for anyone wanting to promote Palestinian women’s independence. If you wish to travel the region and want to gain an in-depth understanding of the locals and their culture, the issues faced and the effects of the ongoing Israeli occupation on Palestinian women, this project is for you! 

As a thanks for your part in this unique cultural exchange, you will also have the chance to learn or improve your Arabic by receiving 3 hours of Arabic classes per week from our educational hub at the Excellence Center. All levels of Arabic are welcome and whether you are a total beginner or have been studying Arabic for years, you will find that Hebron is a great city to immerse yourself in Arabic. To cement your learning, you will have ample opportunities to practice Arabic with our team as well as with the locals in the wider community during both your program and free time.

If you are looking for internships and volunteer opportunities in women’s organisations in Palestine or Israel, this program is for you; Hebron is very close to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jaffa and other Palestinians and Israeli cities, to which you may travel and explore during your time here. During their days off, our volunteers often arrange to explore these destinations and more together.

Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine
Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine

Interning with the Women’s Rights in Palestine in Summer Program

Interning with the Women’s Rights in Palestine Program over the summer months can be a fantastic opportunity for university students interested in gaining practical experience in Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. Our Women’s Rights in Palestine in Summer Program is great for those looking to interact and volunteer with women’s rights specifically in the summer. The volunteer program is appropriate for university students seeking for internships to obtain real-world experience.

While we operate our Women’s Rights in Palestine Program year-round, we also have dedicated summer volunteer programs specifically designed for students looking for opportunities to volunteer abroad in the field of women’s rights while also gaining university credit. The Excellence Center is able to grant academic credit to our already enrolled university students thanks to collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.

Join the program to make the most of this excellent chance travel throughout the summer, obtain practical experience in a related profession, and work towards your degree all at the same time.

Reviews and Community Awards

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. Check out our many great reviews here:

Current Women’s Rights Situation in Palestine

In general, there is a great need for women’s advocacy organisations and female empowerment programs in the West Bank and Palestine, as women in Palestinian society often face oppression on two fronts: from the patriarchal hierarchies in their own society, and by Israeli forces where the mistreatment of female detainees is often gender-based. The oppression from Israeli forces is particularly frequent in Hebron because part of the city is under full Israeli military control and Palestinians in these areas must pass through checkpoints where they are regularly subjected to violence and harassment. Furthermore, as a result of the ongoing occupation, Palestinian women often lack access to adequate health services that they require in many areas of Palestine. On top of that, the Covid-19 Pandemic has exacerbated issues that Palestinian women face.

There are a number of areas where the rights of Palestinian women need to be advocated for, with a key focal point being equality and protection in the home as, according to a 2011 survey by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, “35 percent of married women in Gaza had been exposed to physical violence by their husband within the past year.” More recently, data from 2019 finds that 58.2% of women (15-64 years) in Palestine who are currently married or were ever married were exposed to violence by their husbands “at least once” and that the most common type of violence is psychological violence. Additionally, women and girls with disabilities are at a greater risk of violence and face extra challenges.


Yet, there are many areas in which the role of women in Palestinian society is very progressive, especially in comparison to many neighboring Arab states and other Middle Eastern countries. For example, Palestine has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Additionally, the education of women is highly valued across Palestine, with many going on to further their studies at universities and become successful in the fields of law, politics, academia, business, arts, sports and so forth. Whilst you are here, you will meet some of these local women, learn more about their way of life, the obstacles they have had and currently face and the achievements they have made despite any hardships.

Palestinian Women: Breadwinners and Homemakers

As a result of the occupation, an unfortunate yet common reality for Palestinian youth and men is imprisonment. Consequently, this often necessitates that the female members of the family (wives, sisters, daughters, etc.) are required to be responsible for running the household, making decisions and supporting themselves and their families financially.

This is another reason why it is of vital importance to educate and empower women, so that they may have the tools and resources to manage these responsibilities and take their place in society.

Brief Description of the Internship Program

The Women’s Rights Internship Program bases its headquarters at the Excellence Center’s facilities in Hebron, Palestine. In this program, we invite our volunteers to travel into the wider community. Firstly, to organize workshops and training in women’s empowerment, but also to raise awareness about the rights of women globally and in Palestine especially.

During your time here, you will visit many women’s rights organizations in the West Bank in order to know more about their work in the area, seek future cooperation and obtain more information about the situation in Hebron specifically.

Through our volunteer program, you will also have plenty of opportunities to build close relationships with women living in the West Bank and witness the relationships they have with Palestinian men and other women in their society. There will also be chances for you to engage with men by working with them about issues relating to the rights and equality of women in the West Bank and globally.

Activities During the Women’s Rights Program

At the Excellence Center in Palestine, we are very flexible when it comes to what kind of activities can be organized by our volunteers. We know applicants have different interests and areas of expertise.

Therefore, we allow as much freedom as possible for you to decide on the specific activities and workshops you would like to run, as well as to structure your own schedule. (Although, you and our staff will agree on the exact schedule for activities before arrival or during the first days of your program).

Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine
Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine

Examples of Activities

There are many activities suitable for all English language levels that can be carried out during the Women’s Rights Program in Palestine, including:

  • Holding talks for Palestinian girls and women to raise awareness about their rights
  • Holding workshops with Palestinian boys and men about gender equality
  • Organizing activities for Palestinian women e.g. discussions and workshops about the roles and depictions of women in conventional and social media

Read About Tara’s Experience with the Program

“During my time in the West Bank, I met lots of people and they were kind enough to share their experiences with me. The women in particular had many stories about how they had overcome the problem of inadequate women’s rights and the difficulties of life under Israeli Occupation. It was often heartbreaking to hear about the lack of women’s rights over the years but I was amazed by their strength and ingenuity. [Over my time with the Excellence Center]  I met women who were very talented: those who created beautiful embroidered clothing and accessories, others who combined studying at university with working part-time and some who successfully provided for their household both financially and practically.

“Additionally, a lot of the women I had met had received a good education and included doctors, several teachers, a journalist and many other professionals. I also had the opportunity to speak to a lady who had seen several of her sons imprisoned by the Israeli forces, with one of them currently under administrative detention. Although this is very difficult for her, she is resolute and determined to help obtain his release as well as help her son’s wife and their growing family too. As a result of the detainments, she has had many arduous journeys to visit her sons during their imprisonment, often traveling for 24 hours for a 30-minute visit. 

“I also met a young woman who has a delightful singing voice and performs in traditional concerts, as well as several who had traveled to the UK to take part in talks and demonstrations to raise awareness of the situation in Palestine. Furthermore, we volunteers visited numerous Women’s Rights organizations and the staff there were all friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated to improving the lives of women and their families. It was sometimes harrowing to hear about the struggles that women have faced but it was also really encouraging to see opportunities that are opening up and to learn that women’s rights are becoming recognized.”

Arabic Classes for Program Participants 

All of our international volunteers and interns receive 3 hours of Arabic class per week with an experienced and knowledgable Palestinian teacher. Additionally, there are plenty of chances to meet many people in Palestine, giving you the opportunity to learn and practice your Arabic skills further. 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 and help you choose the one most appropriate for your needs, however they are all beneficial and our teachers are all very knowledgeable.

Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine

Homestay in Hebron

As we aim to achieve social discourse through cultural immersion, the Center provides homestays in Hebron for participants of the Women’s Rights Program:

  • Female participants have the opportunity to live with a designated Palestinian host family in the local Hebron area
  • Male participants are able to stay in male dorms provided at the Excellence Center in Hebron
  • Private rooms can also be arranged (although these naturally come with an additional fee)

A Typical Day at the Excellence Center

Your work commitment will be approximately 25-30 hours each week, from around 10 am until 4 pm and with two days off: Friday and another day of your choosing.

Starting each day with a community breakfast at the Excellence Center, this meal is shared with teachers, directors and volunteers from other programs, giving you the ability to meet and network with others. You may arrange to have your 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.

When not volunteering, you are encouraged and will also have the opportunity to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron that are coordinated by the Excellence Center. Generally, you will have your evenings free and we do also organize occasional optional activities then 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.

Our Women’s Rights Volunteer in Palestine program is a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in your field of interest to strengthen your résumé and, more importantly, to make a major contribution to the Palestinian women in Hebron.

SaturdaySundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Breakfast at the CenterBreakfast at the CenterBreakfast at the CenterBreakfast at the CenterDayoffBreakfast at the CenterDayoff
Arabic courseVisiting a women’s organisation Arabic course   
Workshop for Palestinian women Workshop for Palestinian women  Workshop for Palestinian women 
Visiting the old city of HebronWorkshop for Palestinian womenHelping a Palestinian teacher at the CenterVisiting a community center around Hebron Visiting a Refugee camp 

Program Opportunities

Volunteers in program also receive many benefits such as:

  • An orientation about Palestinian culture and Hebron specifically
  • Arabic language classes (12 hours a month or 3 hours a week)
  • Visits to women’s rights organisations in Hebron
  • Meetings with women rights’ activists, non-governmental organisations, women’s rights workers, professors and Palestinian university students
  • Many opportunities to meet Palestinian women in Hebron
  • Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron (including refugee camps, the old city, different factories, etc.)
  • Presentations on Palestinian society and daily life
  • Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family (for women) or in our male dorm
  • Eating and enjoying local Palestinian foods and desserts
  • Attending cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities, organized by us
  • 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, Tulkarem, 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
  • A certificate upon completion

Key information at a glance on the Women’s Rights Program

Location of ProgramHebron, West Bank
Program Fees250 Euro a week 
Age18+
Minimum DurationOne week 
Maximum Duration13 weeks
Start/End DatesYear-round
Application DeadlineNo deadline/flexible timeframe 
Program LanguageEnglish
Days OffTwo days a week (Fri-Sat)
Areas of Interest Women’s Rights in Palestine
Women’s empowerment
Women’s organizations in Hebron 
Number of Volunteers/Interns 2-5
University CreditAvailable
Nearest AirportsBen Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel
Eilat Ramon Airport in Israel 
Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan
Program’s ReviewsReviews & ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com
Reviews & ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com
Participants’ video testimonials

Application Requirements for Volunteers

Volunteering in our Women’s Rights Program includes a number of benefits and helps participants make a difference in their own lives as well as in the lives of others. As a result, this internship and volunteer program is open to a wide range of applicants; young and old, university students, professionals, advisors, travelers, native and non-native English speakers, retirees, and anyone in between. 

In fact, you do not even need a particular degree to participate as we welcome all fields of study and graduates of any nationality! However, you will need:

Requirements:

  • To be 18+
  • The ability to communicate in English
  • The willingness to meet Palestinians
  • An eagerness to learn

But you do not need:

  • Travel experience
  • Teaching experience or an educational degree
  • To be a native speaker of Arabic
  • An ability to speak Arabic in general

Application Period and Program Dates

The Excellence Center is looking for international volunteers and interns all year-round, there is no fixed application period. Program dates are flexible and you are welcome to stay from anywhere between 1 and 13 weeks. 

Program fees

The Excellence Center charges a fee of €250 a week. The program fees include pre-departure support, accommodation, breakfast, full coordination while volunteering in Palestine, 3 hours per week of Arabic lessons, and outings to different sites in the city of Hebron.

here is also the opportunity for volunteers to combine programs if they wish in order to gain more experience and broaden their understanding across multiple issues. For example, participants can volunteer in the Women’s Rights Program for two weeks and then volunteer with the Community Development Project the following week. 

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 Do I Get a Visa to Visit Palestine?

Most of our international participants get a tourist visa for three months when they fly into Israeli airports 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.

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 Fly to Palestine?

The easiest way to get to the Excellence Center is to fly to:

Alternatively:

  • Flying to Eilat airport in the south of Israel and then traveling by shuttle or by taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. However, the duration of the trip can last between six and seven hours.

Traveling to and from Hebron and the West Bank

All of the Excellence Center’s volunteers travel to and from Hebron using single or shared taxis. These taxis will pass through checkpoints but they generally will not have to stop at checkpoints on their way to Hebron.

You will find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron and the Excellence Center with relevant contact information in these four articles:

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.

Program Summary

This program gives our international participants the chance to learn first-hand about the current women’s rights situation in Palestine and the issues Palestinian women face both within their own community and as a result of the Israeli occupation. Additionally, we provide the opportunity for participants to engage with the local community, especially local Palestinian women. We provide this several ways, for example through visits to important relevant organizations in and around Hebron, offering informative presentations, meeting with local women, living with a Palestinian host family (only for female participants), facilitating activities such as workshops run by the participants for local girls or women and more.

During your program, you will also have three hours of Arabic classes per week and two days off per week. On the days that you come to the Center, you will still have some free time to use as you wish – whether studying Arabic, exploring Hebron, going to restaurants and cafes, socializing, going to the gym, or something else. On your days off 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 them to life in Hebron.

This program is for anyone who is interested in women’s rights and issues in Palestine and anyone who is looking to learn from Palestinian women while also supporting and empowering them. If you are a current university student looking for an internship program to provide you with credit for your studies, then our summer program is a wonderful opportunity for you. If you are not a current university student, you may join our program at any time of the year that suits you.

Other Volunteering Opportunities

Apart from the Women’s Rights Program, we provide many other volunteer programs in the West Bank, demonstrating the wide array of opportunities available at the Excellence Center in Palestine. These include:

Internship in Palestine Program (1-3 months)Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship
The Palestine and Israel in Context internship ProgramHuman Rights Program in West Bank 
Women’s Rights in Palestine internship ProgramMedicine & Healthcare in the West Bank
Teach English in the West Bank internshipVolunteer & Study Arabic in Palestine 
Volunteering with Palestinian Children in  the West BankVolunteer in Local Schools in Palestine
Teach for Palestine Program (2-3 Months)Volunteer in a Journalism Program in Palestine

There is also the opportunity for volunteers to combine programs if they wish in order to gain more experience and broaden their understanding across multiple issues. For example, participants can volunteer in the Women’s Rights Program for two weeks and then volunteer with the Community Development Project the following week. 

How to Apply

Please send us an email stating your interest to Rafat@excellencenter.org, with “Volunteer for the Women’s Rights Program in Palestine” as the subject line and we will send you the application form. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and we look forward to hearing from you!

Find Us Online

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