Short-term volunteer projects in Palestine by Engage in Palestine: Participating in short-term volunteer projects in Palestine can be a very rewarding and impactful experience. You can make a significant difference in the lives of others while simultaneously honing your abilities and broadening your horizons by devoting your time and effort to a cause you care about.

Some organizations require a volunteering commitment of 6-12 months or even longer, which can be too big a commitment for some prospective volunteers. However, particularly the you wish to volunteer abroad, numerous organizations are offering overseas volunteer opportunities lasting from a few days to a few weeks or a few months.

Advantages Of Short Term Volunteering

A major advantage of finding short-term volunteer work is that it offers flexibility for people with busy schedules or only a limited period in which to volunteer. Even if you are busy with a job, school, or other obligations, you can still make a significant contribution by volunteering for a short while.

By undertaking a brief volunteer assignment, you can see if a cause or organization is the appropriate fit for you. You can learn a lot about a certain field or subject by volunteering for a while, which can help you decide if it’s something you wish to pursue for a longer duration in the future.

Short-Term Volunteering In Palestine 

Palestine is a beautiful and intriguing country in the Middle East with warm and hospitable people, however, it is widely misunderstood and misrepresented. Many people around the world have either never heard of Palestine or have an idea in their heads that is completely false, due to the misinformation they have been told. So coming to Palestine to visit or volunteer, will completely change your perspective and teach you so much.

To enter Palestine, visitors and volunteers can generally obtain an Israeli tourist visa upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv or at an Israeli land border shared with Egypt or Jordan. This gives you 90 days to travel or volunteer in Israel and Palestine, giving you sufficient time to find worthwhile short-term volunteer initiatives to join and make a difference in the world.   

Why Join Short-Term Volunteer Projects In Palestine? 

It can be an extraordinary and life-changing experience to join short-term volunteer projects in Palestine. Volunteering in Palestine can provide you with the chance to learn more about the local way of life, traditions, and political climate in a culturally and historically significant country. 

Participating in short-term volunteer projects in Palestine can also help you meet like-minded people from other cultures and backgrounds, which fosters the development of a diverse and encouraging community. You may even make lifelong friends, a future spouse, or valuable professional connections. Furthermore, volunteering in Palestine can present an opportunity to have a constructive impact on a society that confronts many difficulties and barriers, especially as a result of being under occupation. 

What Kinds Of Short-Term Volunteer Initiatives Are Available?

Volunteers can take part in a range of activities by taking part in short-term volunteer projects in Palestine, including working on environmental efforts, helping community development projects, providing humanitarian aid, volunteering as a medical professional, working with Palestinian refugees, olive harvesting with local Palestinian families, as well as and teaching English. 

There are many other volunteer opportunities available in the West Bank in Palestine, and no matter what your areas of interest or expertise are, with the right organization or connections you can find volunteer work right for you. Participating in these initiatives or starting new ones can provide a worthwhile way to support an important and righteous cause while simultaneously learning new skills and obtaining useful experience.

Short-Term Volunteer Projects With Engage In Palestine

Engage in Palestine is a well-regarded local Palestinian organization offering a range of short-term volunteer programs, internships as well as Arabic courses. These programs aim to foster cultural connections and exchanges, in addition to promoting language learning and developing individuals and communities. 

While there are many internships and volunteer opportunities on offer across Palestine, Engage in Palestine has over 11 years of experience running these programs and is very highly reviewed by former participants. This makes Engage in Palestine a wonderful choice for anyone looking for structured yet flexible volunteer work in the areas of Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, or the Middle East. Volunteers with Engage in Palestine will have a safe and supportive stay, make wonderful memories as well as make a difference in the local Palestinian community.

Where Is Engage In Palestine?

Engage in Palestine is located in Hebron in the West Bank, of Palestine. Hebron is the largest city in the West Bank and is a bustling city where Palestinians come from all over to go shopping. The old city in Hebron is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hebron is also home to the famous Ibrahimi Mosque. On top of this however, Hebron is also a city on the frontline of the Israeli occupation and is 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. 

Safety In Hebron

It’s important to emphasize that the reality for foreign visitors in Hebron is completely different from what you might hear on the news. Many of our former participants, including women, have told us how safe and welcome they feel in Hebron and sometimes even more so than in their own home countries. While there are occasional outbreaks of violence in Hebron, they are highly localized and are very easy to avoid so long as you wish to do so. Our participants often spend their free time in the evenings getting a drink in a cafe, going for a walk or to a restaurant, or going out for some ice cream.

Our Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities

Engage in Palestine offers a range of short-term volunteer programs, lasting from 1 to 13 weeks in a variety of different fields. They are suitable for anyone seeking short-term volunteer projects to spend their time in a meaningful way and contribute to those around them. 

We have many different programs, allowing you to volunteer to teach English in the West Bank, volunteer with Palestinian refugees or with Palestinian children, volunteer in community development, volunteer in medicine and healthcare, volunteer in the legal field and so much more. 

You may learn more about each of the specific programs we provide by clicking the links in the table below.

Short-Term Volunteering In Summer

The summer months from June until September are the most popular time for volunteering as this is when many people have free time, whether they are current students, teachers, professionals, or retirees. During these months, Engage in Palestine hosts many volunteers in our short-term summer volunteer programs, which range from 1 to 13 weeks and can be started throughout the summer.

This means summer is a wonderful time to volunteer because not only will you get to enjoy the warm weather and make the most of your summer break in a meaningful way, but you will also get to meet many new people and friends. You will also get to learn some Arabic, be immersed in Palestinian culture, be taken by us on various trips in and around Hebron, and have free time to explore and travel with your new friends. Additionally, if you are a current university student seeing academic credit for your volunteer work experience, we can provide this for you. 

Who Participates In Short-Term Volunteer Projects In Palestine? 

There is a wide variety of people looking for short-term volunteer projects in Palestine for a wide variety of different reasons. There are prospective volunteers from all sorts of backgrounds, some are current students, recent graduates, professionals, retirees, taking a gap year or sabbatical. Those who are current professionals might be teachers, lawyers, asylum case workers, doctors, dentists, working with Arabic-speaking refugees, or another profession entirely. 

Some volunteers wish to find a meaningful way to dedicate their time to helping others, while other volunteers might be interested in traveling and learning about Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. Others still come to Palestine to visit friends or families, some come to the Holy Land for religious reasons, while others are looking to gain professional experience to enhance their employability and explain their career opportunities. And of course, some volunteers have a combination of all of these things. 

Volunteers in Palestine come from all over the world and are of all different ages, religions, ethnicities, professions, and backgrounds with a diverse range of interests and passions. No matter who you are, there is a short-term volunteering project somewhere in Palestine for you.   

What Do You Need To Be A Volunteer With Us?

• To be aged 18-70 years old (although exceptions can be made if approved by our director)
• The ability to communicate in English
• The ability to work with an international team
•  Patience and enthusiasm
•  Eagerness to learn

What Don’t You 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

Please note that some programs may have additional requirements. For example, if you wish to volunteer with Palestinian children, you will be required to undergo a safeguarding interview. This is so that you fully understand your responsibility as a caretaker of children, as well as the laws and protocols in place to protect children from abuse. Another example is that to volunteer in our Medicine & Healthcare program, it’s a requirement to have prior experience in healthcare work.

Duration of Short-Term Volunteer Projects

All of our short-term volunteer programs are flexible in duration and timing. You can choose whether to volunteer for as little as one week or as long as 13 weeks. We have a 13-week maximum duration due to the 90-day limit of the Israeli tourist visa that allows you to volunteer in Palestine. In addition to this, volunteers are free to choose their own start and end dates all year round. 

Flexible Booking

At Engage in Palestine, we understand that plans change, whether due to a change of heart, unforeseen circumstances, or emergencies. So with all of our volunteer programs, internships, and Arabic courses, we give you the flexibility to adjust or delay your travel plans.

All of our programs have flexible start and end dates. During the application process, you can choose when to begin and when to end throughout the year and for 1-13 weeks. 

Need To Make Date Changes?

In case you need to make any date changes, you can do this for free at least two weeks before your original start date. However, if you wish to cancel or change your dates within two weeks of your original start date, any payments you have made will be converted to a credit that you can use towards any other program in the future with us, or with our sister location in Germany.

The Highlights Throughout Your Volunteer Program In Palestine

What can you expect throughout your short-term volunteer project with Engage in Palestine? Keep reading to learn about some of the highlights of volunteering with us.

• Growing new friendships with other volunteers or interns as well as students, visitors, local Palestinian residents and Engage in Palestine’s staff
• Living in the fascinating city of Hebron and getting to experience it on a more intimate level than most tourists do
• Immersing yourself in Palestinian culture, Palestinian Arabic, and daily life
• Experiencing the hospitality of Palestine by participating in Engage in Palestine’s activities and during your free time
• Learning Arabic for the first time or continuing your Arabic learning journey with many opportunities to practice and have conversations with local Palestinians
• Engage in Palestine’s center is staffed by highly qualified and attentive Arabic and English teachers with excellent educational backgrounds, who are eager and enthusiastic to assist you
• Gaining firsthand experience of one of the most politically complex and dynamic regions in the Middle East

• Gaining a deep understanding of the refugee situation in Palestine and the West Bank 
• Participating in a range of educational, social, and community activities organized by us to provide a space for locals, Palestinian refugees, volunteers, and interns to meet, socialize, and learn
• Going on group excursions and visits arranged by us to a range of different culturally, politically, or historically important sites such as the old city in Hebron, Al-Shuhada Street, the keffiyeh factory, a glass and ceramics factory, refugee camps, human rights organizations, local artists and much, much more 
• Arranging weekend trips to travel in your free time with your fellow volunteers or interns to exciting nearby destinations such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba and Wadi Rum.
• Program fees cover guided tours and activities, Arabic language tuition, accommodation, breakfast, and 24/7 program assistance from pre-departure to the end of your program
• Upon completion of your internship or volunteer program, Engage in Palestine will provide you with a certificate. 

Quick Facts About Our Short-Term Volunteer Programs 

Below you may find some quick key information about our short-term volunteer projects.

We Aim To Make A Long Term Difference 

Through all of the programs that we run from our center in Hebron, we aim to make a long-term difference for both the local Palestinian community and you through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. We ensure that all of our programs are well-researched and targeted so that they have a real impact and effectively foster shared learning. Volunteering or interning in the West Bank is not only a unique experience, but it’s also a way to have a genuine impact on the lives of Palestinians in the wider community as well as on your own. 

Short Term Volunteering Impacts

Short-term volunteering in the West Bank can have a wide range of positive impacts on your own life both personally and professionally, but also on the lives of others in our local Palestinian community and your local community back home. You will be able to gain valuable skills in a range of areas while having a positive impact on the Palestinians that you engage with. Overall, volunteering abroad can greatly impact who you are as a person and open your mind to new perspectives, new information, new opportunities, and new friends.

Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees

While Engage in Palestine offers a specific volunteer program for anyone with an interest or passion in working with refugees and making a meaningful impact, all of our internships and volunteer programs, offer the chance to work with Palestinian refugees and learn about their situation. 

Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank, Gaza and Diaspora

The ongoing Occupation has created a very significant refugee population both inside Palestine and outside of Palestine. Palestinian refugees are not only the largest group of refugees in the world but are also the longest suffering. About 64% of Gaza’s population and 26% of the West Bank’s population are internally displaced Palestinians who are originally from other areas in historic Palestine such as Yaffa, Haifa, and Al-Naqab. 

In the diaspora, there are around 7 million Palestinians, most of whom are exiled and denied their right to return to their homeland by Israel. Many refugees in the diaspora are still living in refugee camps in Syria, Jordan, or Lebanon. In our programs, we focus on Palestinian refugees living in Hebron governorate and the surrounding area. 

Opportunities To Engage With Palestinian Refugees 

In all of our short-term volunteer projects and internships, volunteers, and interns will have the opportunity to engage with Palestinian refugees in the local Hebron area in refugee camps such as Al-Fawwar and Al-Aroub camps. Participants will get to visit a refugee camp and have the chance to work on projects and initiatives to positively impact the Palestinian refugees living there. 

These projects might include teaching English to refugee children or running workshops to enhance the employability of refugee youth and students. It could also include meeting with the local community to learn about their situation and ways in which you can help or a range of other activities. If you have specific initiatives or activities you wish to implement during your program, we are always open to your ideas.   

Children in Palestine

Nearly half (43.9%) of the Palestinian population inside of Palestine is made of children under the age of 18, 41.7% in the West Bank and 47.3% in Gaza. This means that there are many young people in Palestine who not only have all the pressure of growing up, but they are growing up under Israeli occupation. Palestinian children are the future, so it is particularly important to care about them, support their development, and empower them to create better futures for themselves and their country.  

Volunteer With Palestinian Children

While Engage in Palestine has a dedicated volunteer program to volunteer with Palestinian children, there are other opportunities to volunteer with Palestinian children in any of our programs. 

For example, if you volunteer to teach English in the West Bank, the majority of your students will be children of different ages. Or if you wish to volunteer in community development in Palestine, you can choose whether you want to develop projects targeted to Palestinian children, youth, adults, or another segment of the Palestinian community. For anyone who takes our human rights or law internship, you may also wish to have a focus on children’s rights and the laws that affect them. 

Choosing to Engage In Palestine For Your Internship Or Volunteer Program Has Many Benefits

Engage in Palestine offers numerous benefits to our short-term volunteers and interns. Some have already been discussed in this article, while other key benefits are outlined below.

• We arrange and provide accommodation for you in Hebron (in either a homestay or shared apartment).
• We provide a Palestinian breakfast every day (except Fridays) at our center, shared with other participants and our staff.
• All of our volunteers receive three hours of Arabic lessons per week (more can be added for an additional fee) in your choice of Levantine Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic.
• Our Arabic classes are taught one-on-one or in small groups (2-5 students), allowing for personalized instruction and an immersive environment. 
• All of our volunteers get two days off per week. This allows you ample free time to visit nearby local and international cities such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and the Dead Sea, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqiliyah, Jenin, Haifa, Eilat, Tel Aviv, Masada, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Tiberias, Nazareth, Netanya, Safed, Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum. 
• We provide pre-departure and then ongoing in-country support for the duration of your program. 
• We can provide you with academic credit towards your studies, for current university students.
• We provide all of our wonderful participants with a certificate to reflect the completion of their program. 

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

Engage in Palestine, located in Hebron in the West Bank, offers a variety of short-term volunteer programs for people interested in cultural exchange, community service, and learning about Palestine. These volunteer projects can range from 1-13 weeks all year-round and they allow volunteers to work alongside local Palestinians and their fellow volunteers on various initiatives.

Some of Engage in Palestine’s short-term volunteer projects include teaching English to Palestinian students, supporting women’s rights, engaging in community development initiatives, working on medical and healthcare projects, learning about human rights, and much more. Accommodation, daily breakfast, and Arabic lessons are available for all volunteers as well as a range of cultural activities and visits to the local area to allow volunteers to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life. 

Overall, short-term volunteering with Engage in Palestine, no matter which program you choose, will be a unique chance to develop your skills, gain valuable volunteer work experience, learn about Palestinian culture, and learn Arabic all while making a positive impact on the local Palestinian community.  

We hope to receive an application from you for short-term volunteering with us soon!

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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