Best Places For Internships In Palestine: Palestine, located in the Middle East, has thousands of years of rich history and culture and is a unique and dynamic country. Despite decades of being under occupation, Palestinian people are steadfast, dignified, and very welcoming to overseas students, visitors, volunteers, and interns.
Although the Palestinian economy faces many challenges, Palestine has several innovative organizations that offer volunteer and internship opportunities for interested individuals. There is a diverse range of internship opportunities, including those interested in community development, social justice, human rights, the economy, the law, and more. Interring in Palestine is a fantastic way to gain valuable work experience, enhance your skills, and develop yourself personally as well.
There are several cities in the West Bank where exciting internship opportunities can be found and in this article, we will discuss some of these cities which are the best places for internships in Palestine.
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Jerusalem (Al Quds)
Jerusalem (or Al Quds in Arabic) the capital of Palestine, is one of the best places to find internships in Palestine. Furthermore, Jerusalem is one of the most famous and oldest cities in the world, with thousands of years of rich cultural, historical, and religious heritage and significance. Jerusalem is a very important city for Christians, Jews, and Muslims and is full of important religious sites and places of worship. While Jerusalem can be expensive to live and work in, it offers a wide variety of internship opportunities. Millions of tourists visit Jerusalem each year and visit several historic sites including the Old City, the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Western Wall.
There are numerous internship opportunities in Jerusalem including tourism, political and social activism, community development, religious organizations, and with Palestinian refugees in the Shu’fat refugee camp. Jerusalem is a great place to learn about Palestinian culture but also the Israeli occupation of Palestine and its effects on Palestinians’ daily lives in Jerusalem.
Bethlehem (Beit Lahem)
Bethlehem (or Beit Lahem in Arabic), located only a bus ride and checkpoint away from Jerusalem, is a very historic city that is one of the best places to intern in Palestine. It is a great place for interns and visitors to learn about Palestinian history, culture, and the thousands of years of coexistence and community between Palestinian Christians and Muslims. Amongst other things, Bethlehem is famous for being the birthplace of Jesus and is one of the oldest cities in the world. Bethlehem attracts many tourists and pilgrims each year who come to experience its rich cultural and religious heritage and significance.
However, Bethlehem’s presence makes it an exciting city and one of the top places to intern in Palestine. Bethlehem is home to numerous organizations offering internships in various fields including education, social work, and business. Various organizations in Bethlehem dedicate themselves to improving Palestinians’ lives through community development, economic empowerment initiatives, healthcare, and education. Additionally, there are opportunities to work with Palestinian refugees in and around Bethlehem, as there are several Palestinian refugee camps in the area. These include Dheisha, Azzeh, and Aida refugee camps.
Ramallah
Like Bethlehem, Ramallah is located only a checkpoint and bus ride away from Jerusalem. Ramallah is the West Bank’s political capital and administrative center of the Palestinian Authority. While not the largest city in Palestine, it is rapidly growing and there are several exciting internship opportunities. Ramallah is home to numerous government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, local businesses, educational institutions, and private sector companies.
There are many opportunities to engage in political and social activism, human rights, and social justice work in Ramallah. Ramallah too has opportunities to intern, volunteer, or work with Palestinian refugees in nearby Palestinian refugee camps including Am’ari, Jalazone, Deir Ammar, and Qaddura camps. In addition, Ramallah is a center for innovation and entrepreneurship, which offers great opportunities to interns interested in or studying business, marketing, start-ups, and technology. As such, Ramallah is a rich landscape for internship opportunities in a variety of different fields.
Nablus
Nablus, like several other cities in Palestine, is one of the oldest cities in the world and also one of the best places for internships in Palestine. To get to Nablus from Jerusalem, you will generally need to go via Ramallah or Qalandia. Nablus is a very historic and culturally rich city and is famous for having the best knafeh in Palestine (and the world) while also being famous for its Nabulsi olive oil soap, which today still uses production methods that are hundreds of years old.
Nablus, which gets its name from the Roman emperor Neapolis is a great place to learn about Palestinian culture and history, with it being home to numerous historic sites including ancient Roman ruins. For interns interested in social justice, education, and supporting Palestinians to improve their lives, there are several internship opportunities in Nablus.
Like in other cities in the West Bank, there are opportunities to volunteer, work, or intern with Palestinian refugees in Nablus in nearby refugee camps that include Askar and Balata camps and Camp No. 1. Nablus is also one of the best places in Palestine to learn about the Israeli occupation of Palestine and its effects on Palestinians and their daily lives.
Hebron (Al Khalil)
Hebron (Al Khalil in Arabic) is another one of the best places for internship opportunities in Palestine. It is the largest city in the West Bank and is the capital for economic and commercial activity. Palestinians come from all over the West Bank, Jerusalem, and historic Palestine to buy, shop, and do business in Hebron. Hebron has a rich cultural heritage and great religious significance, being home to the Ibrahimi Mosque, the fourth holiest site in the world for Muslims.
If you wish to learn about and experience the Israeli occupation of Palestine, then Hebron is the best place to intern in Palestine. Hebron is the only city in the West Bank that has Israeli settlers living inside part of the city itself. Hebron is a center for human rights and social justice organizations and initiatives, so it is ideal if you are interested in advocacy, activism human rights, international law, International relations, and more.
Palestinians in Hebron face many challenges due to the ongoing occupation, with some areas of Hebron under much greater threat and suffering much more. Additionally, there are nearby Palestine refugee camps such as Al Fawwar and Al Aroub camps, so there are opportunities to support and work with Palestinian refugees in and around Hebron.
Interning In The West Bank With Engage In Palestine In Hebron, Palestine
Engage in Palestine, located in Hebron, is one of the best places in Palestine to intern, due to its focus on community development, education, and cultural exchange. Engage in Palestine is a leading institution and language school that offers a variety of internship opportunities in Palestine including in fields such as teaching English, education, human rights, laws and the legal field, community development, and much more.
By interring with Engage in Palestine, you will have the chance to gain valuable work experience, develop your skills, and contribute to improving the lives of local Palestinians. Engage in Palestine is committed to our local Palestinian community and promoting English language education, youth, and community development as well as social justice. Interns who join us will get to work alongside Palestinians and their fellow interns to contribute to a better future for Palestinians while being immersed in Palestinian culture and the local community.
Where In The West Bank Is Engage In Palestine?
Engage in Palestine is located in the city of Hebron, along the main street called Ein Sara, which is full of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Hebron is one of the most culturally rich and ancient cities in Palestine, located in the south of the West Bank and approximately 30km south of Jerusalem. Its governorate, which includes the city of Hebron and its surrounding villages, has a population of over 700,000 people, making it the largest city in the West Bank. Hebron is located not too far from cities such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.
Hebron is well-known for its rich cultural past and range of industries including glass-making, ceramics, and leather products. The old city of Hebron is architecturally stunning and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, Hebron, particularly in and around the old city is on the frontline of the Israeli occupation. It’s the only city in the West Bank with Israeli settlers living inside part of the city itself. This makes Hebron a very important city, not only historically and economically, but also to see and understand the effects of the occupation.
Engage in Palestine’s Best Internship Programs In The West Bank
Engage in Palestine offers an excellent range of short-term internship programs, providing interns with the chance to gain valuable experience and develop their skills while also making a contribution to the local Palestinian community in Hebron. Our short-term internships range in length from one week to three months and are made to be adaptable and customized to the needs and interests of the individual.
You may learn more about each of the specific programs we provide by clicking the links in the table below.
Quick Facts About Our Short-Term Internships And Volunteer Programs In The West Bank
Below you may find a quick informative snapshot of our short-term volunteer and internship opportunities.
| Location of Programs | Hebron, West Bank |
| Age of Participants | 18-70 years old |
| Program Focus | Teach English in Palestine Volunteer with Palestinian Children Palestinian Refugees Law and Human Rights Community Development Medicine & Healthcare And More |
| Program Language | English |
| Volunteering Program Duration | 1-13 weeks |
| Starting/ Ending Dates | Participants can freely choose their starting and ending dates and we offer volunteer programs and internships in Palestine year-round |
| Timeframe | Short Term Summer Winter Spring Autumn / Fall Year Round |
| Travel Type | Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women |
| Weekly Costs | Starting at 230€ – Check Our Price List |
| Accommodation in Hebron | Palestinian host family Male dorm Private (additional fees apply) |
| Included Arabic Lessons | 3 hours per week |
| 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) |
Best Summer Internship Programs In The West Bank
Engage in Palestine has some of the best summer internship programs in Palestine, running from June through September. These are great programs for those searching for summer internship opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East more broadly or close to the cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, or Tel Aviv. If you are a student, graduate, professional, taking a gap year or sabbatical, or otherwise have a summer break, our summer internship programs in Hebron, Palestine are a great way to make the most of your summer.
Summer is our busiest time, so you will have plenty of opportunities to make new friends, gain valuable work experience, positively impact the Palestinian community learn some Arabic, and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture. Our internship programs have starting dates throughout summer and you can choose how long you wish to intern in Palestine (from 1 to 13 weeks), making our internship programs very flexible and suitable for all kinds of schedules.
Work With Palestinian Children In The West Bank
While Engage in Palestine has a dedicated volunteer program to work with Palestinian children, there are other opportunities for interns to work with Palestinian children in any of our programs. Working with Palestinian children in the West Bank can be a very rewarding experience both for international volunteers and Palestinian children.
Children in Palestine experience a range of issues including due to their social class, their family’s economic situation as well as living under Israeli occupation. These issues can include poverty, limited access to quality education in some areas in addition to trauma, and psychological distress due to the ongoing Israeli occupation. Additionally, numerous Palestinian children have been arrested by Israel, imprisoned, and put on trial in military courts.
Additionally, our programs are great at facilitating cultural exchange between local Palestinians, including Palestinian children and international interns from around the world. Palestinian children get to teach overseas interns about Palestinian culture and their daily lives and experiences while learning about people and cultures from all over the world.
Work With Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank
With any of our volunteer and internship opportunities, there are possibilities to work with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and to learn more about their daily lives and circumstances. If you have specific initiatives or activities you wish to implement during your internship program, we are always open to your ideas.
Participants will get to visit Palestinian refugee camps near Hebron such as Al-Fawwar or Al-Aroub camps and have the chance to work on projects to positively impact the Palestinian refugees living in these camps. This might include teaching English to Palestinian refugee children, running workshops to enhance the employability of refugee youth and students, or meeting with the local community to learn about their situation and ways in which you can help.
Duration And Timing Of Our Short-Term Internship Programs In Palestine
Engage in Palestine offers overseas interns a great amount of flexibility and interns can choose which dates to begin and finish their internship program year-round. Each program can last from as little as one week and up to 13 weeks and participants have the freedom and flexibility to choose their program duration.
From June through September, we also offer some of the best summer internship opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine. These are particularly ideal for university or college students looking for intern or volunteer organizations abroad to volunteer or intern with in summer.
Flexible Booking
We understand that whether due to a change of heart, unforeseen circumstances, or last-minute emergencies, plans can change. Therefore, we make all of our volunteer programs, internships, and Arabic courses flexible so that you can change or delay your plans.
All of our programs have flexible start and end dates and during the application process, you can choose when to begin and end anytime throughout the year for 1-13 weeks.
Date Changes
If you need to make any date changes to your short-term internship program in the West Bank, Palestine, you can do this for free two weeks or more before your original start date. However, if you wish to make changes or cancelation within two weeks of your original start date, any payments you have made will be converted to a credit for you to use towards any of our other programs in the future either in Palestine or with our sister location in Germany.
Requirements To Intern In Palestine With Engage In Palestine
Our short-term internship programs in the West Bank are very flexible and open to a wide range of participants. While a few of our programs require specific experience or expertise from volunteers and interns, the following requirements generally apply across all of our internship opportunities.
To Intern With Us, You Need:
- To be aged 18-70 years old (although exceptions can be made if approved by Engage in Palestine’s director)
- The ability to communicate in English
- The ability to work with an international team
- Patience and enthusiasm
- Eagerness to learn
What You DON’T Need:
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel or work experience
- To be a native speaker of English
- Experience in teaching English as a foreign language
Who Is Interning In Palestine For?
- Current university students looking to spend a semester abroad or their summer doing an internship either for academic credit or not for credit
- Anyone interested in Palestinian culture, Arab culture, or learning about the Palestinian cause and the Israeli occupation of Palestine
- Anyone looking to learn Arabic while working with Palestinians, including Palestinian children and Palestinian refugees in the West Bank
- University or college students or graduates who are studying or have studied Middle Eastern Studies, Arab Studies, Islamic Studies, Human Rights, International Relations, International Law, Diplomacy, Political Science, or other related fields
- People with Palestinian or Arab heritage wishing to learn their family’s language, and culture and reconnect to their roots
- Students, interns, or professionals with a personal or professional interest in Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East in general
- People who are social workers or otherwise work or aspire to work with refugees, particularly Palestinian or Syrian refugees
- Anyone interested in internship opportunities abroad or summer intern work abroad
- Anyone passionate about social justice, human rights, community development, teaching English abroad, or other similar fields
The Impact Of Interning With Engage In Palestine
At Engage in Palestine, we aim to make a long-term difference for both the local Palestinian community and you, through our range of various short-term internships and volunteer programs, through the exchange of ideas, and “walking in each other’s shoes”. All of our internships and volunteer opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine are well-researched and targeted to ensure that they have a positive impact.
Interning with Engage in Palestine is an opportunity to contribute some of your valuable time to have a meaningful impact on the lives of those in our local Palestinian community while enhancing your skills and gaining valuable work experience in return. Your time interning in Palestine will also surely have a big impact on your own life, even long after you leave Palestine. Interns will get to leave Palestine with a sense of accomplishment as well as with a new appreciation and understanding of the Palestinian people, their culture, and resilience in the face of ongoing occupation.
Some Of The Benefits And Highlights Of Interning With Engage In Palestine
- Your accommodation in Hebron is included as part of your internship program and arranged by us, either in a homestay or shared apartment.
- Be immersed in Palestinian culture and daily life in Hebron.
- Each morning (except Fridays), join us at our center for a Palestinian breakfast as part of your short-term internship, shared with other participants and our staff.
- Gain valuable work experience and develop your skills through working with Palestinians and your fellow interns and volunteers.
- The experience of living and interning abroad will also provide you with a valuable opportunity for personal development, including improving your confidence, becoming more independent, and a better problem-solver.
- Meet and make friends with people from all over the world.
- Three hours of Arabic tuition per week, with the choice between learning Levantine (Shami) Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, or Colloquial Palestinian (Ammiya) Arabic.
- Learn Arabic privately or in a small group class (2-5 students) in an immersive environment and with personalized instruction.
- Learn Palestinian-spoken Arabic from native speakers and embrace the opportunity to communicate with locals.
- The chance to gain a better understanding of Palestinian politics and experience the Israeli occupation in the West Bank.
- The possibility of learning about the human rights situation in Palestine and supporting Palestinian refugees, children, and women (if you wish).
- The opportunity to travel to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem in your free time.
- You will have days off so you can visit other nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Visits are arranged by us to Palestinian universities, local institutions, and organizations specializing in culture and education.
- Having lots of chances to eat local Palestinian foods and delicacies.
- We offer you pre-departure support as well as ongoing in-country support during your time with us in Palestine.
- You can obtain academic credit or internship credit towards your degree for currently enrolled university or college students thanks to our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.
- You will receive a certificate upon completion of your internship program.
Reviews and Awards
Engage in Palestine has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards, and it has been recognized as the Best Language School and Top Volunteer and Internship Program Provider for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. For more details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +840 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +170 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Final Thoughts
Palestine has many great internship opportunities in a variety of fields and across the country. Interested interns can find internship programs in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nablus, Hebron, and more. One of the top organizations offering internship opportunities in Palestine is Engage in Palestine. Interning with Engage in Palestine offers interns the chance to work with Palestinian children, Palestinian refugees, and other members of the local Palestinian community.
When interning with us, you will be able to choose between a variety of fields to intern in, such as English teaching, human rights, community development, education, working with Palestinian refugees, medicine and healthcare, laws and the legal field, and more.
Our short-term internship programs are very flexible and you can choose how long to intern for, from 1-13 weeks in summer or all year round. Our internships are great opportunities for students, graduates, professionals, those on a gap year or sabbatical, anyone wishing to pursue a career in Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East or simply looking to have a more authentic experience and go beyond the typical tourist trail.
We hope you will join us shortly for one of the best internships in Palestine!
Contact Us
Should you have any questions about the Best Places For Internships In Palestine, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
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