Short-Term 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.
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.
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 offering Arabic courses for non-native speakers since 2011. We have developed many Arabic immersion programs and online courses over the years. We use the most advanced teaching methods, which we develop and enhance year after year. Education is an active process always advancing, and you will be part of the development.
Despite continuous program improvements to ensure the best learning experience, our core goal remains connecting, teaching, and developing individuals. Additionally, we aim to promote and encourage exchange in the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards excellence:
In 2022, we ranked as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities”. We also ranked as “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. Among others, Engage in Palestine earned recognition as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits”. Besides that, we were also one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.
In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards.” This award recognized Engage in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community.
Overall, Engage in Palestine is a highly-rated travel company.
- +800 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +160 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Summary
Volunteering or interning in Palestine offers 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, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
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