Volunteering and Internships In Palestine by Engage in Palestine: Palestine is a country that has had a particularly troubled history over the last seventy years, and there are thousands of refugees and disadvantaged people in need of help. It is natural to see the difficulties of the Palestinian situation and feel the human urge to help those affected by the conflict and the ongoing occupation of Palestine by Israel.
A volunteering role or an internship can be a great way to help the people of Palestine on the ground while developing your skills and building the experiences you need in the professional world of work in later life.
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A Fascinating History And Rich Culture
The country has a fascinating history with a rich culture and is the location of many of the Holy Land cities like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jericho. Additionally, if you are interested in learning Arabic, Palestine is a great place to do it – the locals are friendly and helpful in assisting you to learn and you can learn in a fully immersive Arabic-speaking environment. Additionally, Palestinians speak the Levantine dialect which is the most recognized throughout the Arab world, so it is often the most useful one for foreigners to learn.
Is It Safe?
There are often negative media reports about the situation in Palestine, but the reality is that the majority of the confrontations and violence are concentrated in Gaza, which is undergoing a state of siege currently. The West Bank is far more stable as a destination and while there are occasional outbreaks of violence, they are usually highly localized, and foreign tourists are not often exposed to the difficulties- unless they actively go looking for them, of course. As long as you are sensible with your movements and you don’t seek out trouble, it is perfectly safe to volunteer in Palestine.
Why Short-Term Volunteering And Internships In Palestine?
Unfortunately, an Israeli tourist visa (issued on arrival at Ben Gurion airport) only covers three months, so the maximum length of stay if you are doing voluntary work or an unpaid internship is three months (90 days). Programs in the West Bank are limited by this factor, so many must limit their time to just 3 months as a maximum.
At this time, however, there is much to accomplish, and programs exist to make the very most out of a relatively short period. However, if you want to find longer-term work in Palestine then you will have to go through an arduous Israeli visa process before you even enter the country. This is only recommended if you have already visited Palestine before and know that you want to work there for the long term.
Preparing For An Internship In Palestine
Palestine, as mentioned, has its unique history and culture, so be sure to research the place and its customs before visiting. If you speak Arabic, practice it and plan your route to whichever area of the West Bank you will be visiting. Pack your bags accordingly, bearing in mind that the winters can be quite cold and wet, and summers are blistering hot. There are also many places, such as the ones of religious and historical significance, that will require a modest dress code.
Short-Term Volunteering And Internships In Palestine With Engage in Palestine
Engage in Palestine’s center in Hebron is a language and training school which runs also runs volunteer programs and internships in Palestine, located in the south of the West Bank on the front lines of the occupation. Here, one can experience the local culture, immerse themselves in Arabic, help the Palestinian people, and develop professional skills and experience. Programs are run with a flexible schedule, anywhere from one or two weeks, all the way up to three months, depending on the needs of the volunteer.
Volunteering And Internships In Palestine This Summer
Join us this summer for a unique and vibrant experience! Summer is when our organization is at its busiest, offering a variety of opportunities that go beyond traditionally similar programs. Whether you want to do some volunteering or gain professional experience through an internship, our summer programs in Palestine are designed to make the most of your time abroad.
We offer volunteer placements and internships that allow you to engage directly with local Palestinian communities and gain hands-on experience in your field of interest. Thanks to our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, these opportunities can also provide academic credit towards your studies, making them ideal for university or college students looking to enrich their summer break. However, if you’re not currently a student or aren’t seeking academic credit, you’re still welcome to participate.
If you want to make a meaningful impact this summer, explore more about our volunteer and internship programs in Palestine on our website.
Winter Volunteer Programs
Our Winter Volunteer and Internship Programs run from October to late March, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and community of Palestine during the cooler months. Whether you have an interest in volunteering or gaining professional experience through an internship, our summer programs aim to make the most of your time abroad.
Participants can choose to stay for anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, allowing for flexibility in how they engage with local communities and contribute to meaningful projects. Winter in Palestine offers a different pace and atmosphere, making it an ideal time to connect with the people, explore the region, and make a lasting impact.
List of Short-Term Volunteering And Internship Programs In Palestine
1. Volunteer And Study Arabic (1-13 Weeks)
Volunteers in the West Bank, Palestine will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, refugees, young adults, university students, and families, helping them practice conversational English, organizing workshops, and teaching within Hebron’s vibrant community.
2. Journalism And Media
We are proud to offer our Journalism and Media Internship Program, based at our headquarters in Hebron, West Bank. In this program, we educate Palestinian students, undergraduates, travelers, and anyone interested in the political situation in Israel and Palestine to conduct projects involving journalism and media: reporting news, writing articles, finding and fact-checking sources, and utilizing various media forms.
3. Palestinian Local Schools
Volunteers in Palestine will get the opportunity to visit and teach English to students in Palestinian local schools in the local villages as well as the Palestinian refugee camps around Hebron. This is a great opportunity to engage with the young people of Palestine and learn more about the education system in the West Bank.
4. Volunteer In A Technology Program In Palestine
This is a unique Information Technology volunteer program for those with computer and technical skills who are also willing to share knowledge with our Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron while also learning about Palestinian culture and life.
5. Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine
In this volunteer program volunteers join us at Engage in Palestine to teach Palestinian youth about Environment & Conservation, teaching them the consequences of their practices and how can affect the surrounding environment. Volunteers can share their knowledge to help develop more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.
6. Palestinian Community Development
This program is great for those who are interested in Palestinian community development organizations in the area of Palestine and Israel, to help the Palestinian children, youth, community members, and Palestinian refugees in the refugee camps in and around Hebron and the West Bank. Volunteers can help to build and strengthen community links.
7. Internship In Palestine (1-3 Months)
The Internship in Palestine program will allow internationals to integrate with the Palestinian society, and learn about human rights, refugee situations, and politics in Hebron. Visits are organized for interns to different institutions (including both Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and governmental organizations), factories, and refugee camps in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine. Interns can experience firsthand daily life in Palestine.
8. Healthcare And Medicine
Our volunteer program pairs volunteers with local professionals, Palestinian doctors, and nursing students to facilitate shared learning by working under the supervision of other local professionals. This exchange also provides valuable information about the healthcare system in Palestine, how Palestinians work in local Palestinian hospitals, and what students study in medical and healthcare specializations in Palestinian universities and colleges.
Moreover, the Healthcare And Medicine program in the West Bank, Palestine is available for healthcare professionals from different levels of education starting with pre-medical and pre-nursing students along with certified medical professionals. Applicants must be healthcare students, Nursing students, public health workers, students currently studying medicine, qualified health professionals, doctors, or nutritionists.
9. Human Rights Program In The West Bank
The Human Rights Volunteer Internship Program is designed to teach applicants knowledge about human rights. Students will undertake visits to human rights organizations and are offered the ability to practice what they have learned encouragingly and naturally. Alongside these visits, there will also be meetings with human rights activists, workers, law teachers, students, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
10. Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine
The Palestinian Women’s Rights Volunteer Program is for students who are interested in social studies, especially the subject of women’s empowerment. Throughout the program, students will gain more insights into women’s rights in Palestine, specifically in the city of Hebron where our center is located.
Participants of the volunteer project will be provided with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations in Hebron, West Bank, and engage in educational and cultural activities during their time in Palestine.
11. Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship
This internship program is ideal for students and scholars of law, social sciences, academics, human rights, and anyone interested in the Palestinian legal systems operating in the West Bank, Palestine. Interns can join our family from 1-13 weeks, year-round. The Palestinian Laws Program aims to provide a full understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.
During the internship programs, interns will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal religious institutions as well as legal clinics to witness the enactment of laws, decision-making processes, court rulings, legal negotiations, mediations, and the variety of social spaces they concern.
Engage in Palestine’s internship in Palestinian Law and Legal Practices is designed to create dialogue between participants and Palestinian legal experts, as well as introduce participants to one of the most complex legal systems offering them an opportunity to learn about Palestinian Law, Humanitarian Law, and the issues surrounding Palestine and Israel.
12. The Palestine And Israel In Context Internship Program
The Palestine and Israel in Context Internship Program is for students at the undergraduate and graduate level, professionals, retirees, and anybody interested in the political history and present of Palestine and Israel.
Putting Your Skills To Use
Volunteers are assigned a liaison manager to channel their work to where it is needed the most and oversee their professional development. All kinds of skills are welcome: nursing, engineering, sports coaching – we even had a circus performer volunteer to provide morale-boosting performances in refugee camps! If you feel like you have no special skills to offer, teaching English is a popular and valuable way to help the locals develop skills they will need later in life.
Some Program Inclusions
In addition to accommodation and breakfast, all volunteer programs include tailored Arabic tuition from a dedicated tutor to help volunteers aid Palestinians in their native language. There are also frequent trips, both within the city, to see the historical monuments and the local industry, and to other prominent places in the West Bank. Frequent trips to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and Nablus in the North of the West Bank, along with frequent hikes ensure that volunteers have a fantastic experience beyond the volunteering itself.
A Fantastic Environment
Former volunteer and intern testimonials highlight the importance of having a big body of internationals working alongside the permanent Palestinian staff, which creates an atmosphere of cultural exchange and a fantastic environment for the mutually beneficial sharing of ideas. Many volunteers find that they have a great social experience as well as a professional experience here and that they make friends for life, both from the other volunteers and from the local Palestinians.
Reviews and Awards
Engage in Palestine has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards, 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
Summary
Volunteering and internships in Palestine offer a unique opportunity to make a positive impact while gaining professional experience in a challenging yet rewarding environment. Despite the difficult history and ongoing occupation, the West Bank remains a relatively safe and stable destination for international visitors. Engaging with the Palestinian people not only provides valuable assistance to those affected by the conflict but also allows volunteers to immerse themselves in a rich culture, develop skills, and build connections that will last a lifetime. Whether teaching English, offering specialized skills, or simply lending a helping hand, volunteers contribute meaningfully to the local community while gaining practical experience for future career paths.
Programs with Engage in Palestine in Hebron offer flexibility, with durations ranging from one week to three months, allowing participants to tailor their experience based on their availability. In addition to the professional and personal growth opportunities, volunteers benefit from immersive Arabic language lessons, organized trips to historic sites, and the chance to engage with both local Palestinians and other international volunteers.
The diverse environment of cultural exchange fosters deep connections and a fulfilling experience that extends beyond the volunteer work, leaving a lasting impact on both the volunteers and the community they serve.
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Find Out More
Should you have any questions volunteering and internships in Palestine, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Tags: Internship opportunities with Palestinian NGOs, Summer internships in Palestine, Volunteer abroad opportunities in the West Bank, Volunteer placements in Palestine for 2025
