Best places for an internship in Palestine: Many people worldwide see the plight of the Palestinians who suffer at the hands of the Occupation and naturally want to do their bit to help. For some people this will involve donating money to charities and for others who are more hands-on, they will want to help Palestinian refugees both in their home countries and in the countries of the Middle East, like Lebanon and Jordan where Palestinian refugees have fled to. In this article we will guide you through some of the key places you can do an internship in Palestine, to help the locals, running through some of the pros and cons of each option.
Is it safe?
When talking about safety and security, it’s important to draw a distinction between the West Bank, and Gaza. The latter is in an ongoing state of siege at the time of writing and it is not advised to travel there under any circumstances. The West Bank, however, is a lot more safe and stable, although the Occupation is still evident in places. There are occasionally clashes between Palestinian protestors and the Israeli Defence Force, but as a foreigner visiting, it is highly unlikely you will ever be caught up in these minor outbreaks of violence. They tend to happen in the same areas consistently, so they are easy to avoid as long as you are sensible in your movements.
Interning in East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem is the spiritual capital of Palestine and as such, many Palestinians long to inhabit this area. There are consequently many local organisations running services for Palestinians which require outside help as they underfunded and understaffed. Jerusalem is a fascinating city, home to many wonderful historical monuments and lies at the heart of the Israeli-Palestine conflict, which makes it an intriguing destination for outsiders. If you chose to do an internship in Jerusalem, you will be able to visit both sides of the city, as a foreigner, and experience the nightlife and the culture of one of the best cities for tourists in the world.
Interning in Ramallah
An alternative option is to find an internship in Ramallah, the recognised capital of the West Bank. Many embassies and large international NGOs have offices here, so if you are interested in taking on a role alongside fellow internationals, Ramallah can be a great place to do it! You will also be embedded in the large Arab population here, but interestingly the locals are more liberal here than Nablus or Hebron and there is a large underground bar scene. The city is a bustling hub so you always feel like you are in the middle of the action, so it can be a great place to undertake an internship.
Interning in Bethlehem
Bethlehem, located a short bus ride South of Jerusalem, is a much smaller city than either of the two mentioned, but is a beautiful placed, carved into the side of two mountains. There are also many Christian monuments here and a lively lifestyle as well. The town is also accessible to refugee camps, so it too can serve as an interesting place to do an internship in Palestine.
Interning in Hebron with Engage in Palestine
However, we would argue that the best place to take an internship is in Hebron, West Bank with us here at the Engage in Palestine. Hebron is located in the South of the West Bank, on the frontline of Occupation as the Israelis have claimed 20% of the Palestinian city. In the Old City particularly, near the checkpoints, there are great areas of deprivation and poor access to important resources like water and electricity. Quality provision of services like education is rife in this unfortunate area and the Engage in Palestine does its best to help address these problems with its international volunteers.
Our Impact
For a real taste of Palestine, nothing comes close to this and if you want to see the impact your work is making first hand, there is nowhere better than Hebron. In addition to doing valuable work in the city itself, interns also have the chance to help out in the nearby Fawwar Refugee Camp. There are no specific skills we look for interns beyond a can-do attitude, an ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations and an enthusiastic, positive outlook on life.
In addition to accommodation, interns will be provided with food and Arabic tutoring – the latter to help allow the intern to communicate with and help the locals in their own language. Interns are provided with a personal liaison manager to channel their work to where it is needed most, as well as a personal language Arabic tutor to oversee their language development with personalised lessons.
Interns often rate the Intern for Palestine programme here with us at the Engage in Palestine very highly. Former interns highly the positive working environment created by the international volunteers and interns working alongside with the permanent Palestinian staff, which gives a great feeling of cultural exchange. Like all overseas programmes, you should do your research before selecting any programme.
Our Internship Programs
Our programs were developed for graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, political sciences, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, scholars conducting case studies on Palestine and Israel, human aid workers, social workers, teachers, English native speakers, non-native speakers and anyone interested in engaging in the Palestinian culture and daily life. Here you may find the list of our volunteers and internships program in Hebron, West Bank:
It is important to find a volunteer program that meets your needs and makes use of your existing talents is also crucial. An overview of all of our volunteer opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine is provided below.
1. Volunteer And Study Arabic (1-13 Weeks)
Engage in Palestine offers a volunteer and internship program for English speakers, both native and non-native, who want to support the Palestinian population while studying Arabic. The volunteer program involves teaching English as a foreign language to Palestinian children, refugees, youth, women and community members as well as learning and exchanging knowledge on human rights, legal and politcal circumstances in the West Bank through workshops. The volunteer program, which is located in Hebron, is intended to be immersive, authentic, and all-encompassing.
2. Journalism And Media Internship
At our main office in Hebron, West Bank. We teach Palestinian students, undergraduates, travelers, as well as anyone else interested in the political situation in Israel and Palestine through this volunteer program. Students work on journalism and media assignments such as reporting news, producing articles, researching and fact-checking sources, and utilizing various forms of media.
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 refugee camps around Hebron, West Bank, Palestine. This is a great volunteer opportunity to engage with the young people of Palestine and learn more about the education system in the West Bank.
4. Information Technology
This is a unique volunteer program in the West Bank for anyone with computer and technical abilities who want to share their expertise with Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron while learning about Palestinian culture and life.
5. Environment And Conservation
In this Environment and Conservation volunteer program in the West Bank, volunteers join us at the Engage in Palestine to teach Palestinian youth about environment & conservation, teaching them the consequence of their practices how can it actually affect the surrounding environment. Volunteers can share their knowledge to help develop more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.
6. Palestinian Community Development
This Palestinian community development volunteer program is ideal for people who want to support Palestinian children, youth, community members, and Palestinian refugees in refugee camps in and around Hebron and the West Bank through Palestinian community development organizations in Palestine and Israel. Volunteers can assist in the establishment and strengthening of community ties.
about:blank
7. Music And Art
The goal of this volunteer program is to help members of the Palestinian community who have a passion for the arts and music with volunteers who are ready to teach them music, singing, and other kinds of art, empowering them to learn about and embrace their passion. Music and art activities allow people to express themselves while also relieving stress.
8. Sports Volunteering Program
Volunteers in Sports Program will create their own initiative and organize activities to raise awareness about sports-related themes such as nutrition, proper training practices, and so on. This program provides a unique opportunity to spend time with Palestinian kids and strengthen your skills through practical, hands-on experience.
9. Healthcare
Through working under their supervision and that of other local experts, our Healthcare volunteer program in the West Bank, Palestine pairs participants with local professionals, doctors, medical students, and nurses to encourage shared learning. This conversation also sheds important light on the Palestinian healthcare system, the way Palestinians labor in neighborhood hospitals, and the subjects covered in medical and healthcare specialities at Palestinian universities and colleges. Additionally, the program is open to healthcare workers at all stages of study, beginning with pre-med and pre-nursing students as well as licensed medical practitioners.
Candidates must be qualified health professionals, such as doctors or nutritionists, or students studying medicine, nursing, public health, or healthcare.
about:blank
10. Human Rights Program In The West Bank
The Human Rights Volunteer Program in the West Bank was developed to educate potential volunteers about human rights while they volunteer for Palestine. Students will attend human rights organizations and interact with advocates, staff members, law professors, students, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Participants are given the chance to put what they have learnt into practice in a natural setting in addition to these excursions. This internship is a great option if you’re wanting to volunteer works in the West Bank and are interested in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
11. Women’s Rights Volunteer Program
For students who are interested in social studies, particularly the topic of women’s empowerment, there is a volunteer program for women’s rights. Students will learn more about women’s rights in Palestine, specifically in the Center’s home city of Hebron, during the course of the program. During their stay in Palestine, volunteers will have numerous opportunities to work with Palestinian women in Palestine, visit women’s rights groups in Hebron, West Bank, and take part in educational and cultural events.
12. Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship
Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship: This program is excellent for those interested in the West Bank-based Palestinian legal system as well as those studying law, the social sciences, and human rights. The Palestinian Laws curriculum seeks to give a thorough overview of the legislation that governs the West Bank and Gaza. Interns will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations legal religious institutions, and legal clinics as part of the internship program. They will observe the creation of legislation, the decision-making process, court rulings, legal negotiations, and mediations in a range of social settings.
13. Palestine And Israel In Context Internship
The Palestine and Israel in Context internship: Open to students (undergraduate and graduate level), professionals, retirees, or anyone else interested in the political history and present-day realities of Palestine and Israel is welcome to apply for the Palestine and Israel in Context internship. This internship program is aimed towards students in the humanities and social sciences who are trying to figure out how to gain first-hand knowledge of the Israeli/Palestinian predicament.
By participating in this internship program in the West Bank, interns will be able to observe the real viewpoints of normal people, independent from the political headlines, and will be better able to comprehend and appreciate the impact of the conflict firsthand. All humanistic fields, including but not limited to political science, international relations, and nonprofit management, are warmly welcomed.
about:blank
14. The Palestinian Culture Internship Program
The Palestinian Culture Internship Program: Participants in this immersion-style internship will get a close-up look at Palestinian culture, art, history, and industry. Participants will get the chance to see the lovely and ancient city of Hebron, go on their own day trips to other towns like Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and visit other cultural and historic places. The program is designed to be immersive, a heavy focus will be on deepening participants’ understanding of Palestinian traditions and culture.
The cultural immersion program in the West Bank is ideal for a wide range of participants, including students, young professionals, retirees, native and non-native English speakers, and anybody interested in Palestinian culture or Middle Eastern politics. This program is particularly suited for university students looking for a shorter program than the normal semester or quarter system, and it may give academic credit overseas thanks to its relationship with the Palestinian Education Authority.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Culture Program is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in learning Arabic in a fully immersive linguistic experience. Those who participate in this program will have the opportunity to speak Arabic on a daily basis with shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and members of the Palestinian community right here in Hebron!
15. Volunteer With Palestinian Children
The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program in the West Bank is an excellent opportunity graduate and undergraduate students, professionals, retirees, social workers, and teachers who want to work with children as volunteers.
It is also great for anybody interested in working with Palestinian youngsters, whether native or non-native English speakers. Volunteering with children in Palestine will also assist people interested in early education. Volunteers will be completely immersed in Palestinian culture, everyday life, politics, human rights, and the educational system.
16. Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees in the West Bank
Engage in Palestine is proud to offer volunteer programs with Palestinian refugees. It is well known that schools in Palestinian refugee camps are undeveloped and lack many essential resources to meet the demands of their students in terms of education. In order to close this gap, volunteers will work directly within schools. They will also have the chance to cooperate with international NGOs, community centers, and human rights organizations to advocate for the rights of refugees. In order to teach new skills and promote meaningful cultural interchange, participants will also design educational programs with a specific target audience in mind, such as Palestinian children, youth, or women.
The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program in the West Bank is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages, from students to retirees, who are passionate about human rights and want to engage directly with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. Volunteers in this program will mostly work with Palestinian children, youth, and women to boost their talents and deliver education.
Looking for a Summer Internship?
Our summer Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine would be ideal for those who are looking for a legal, human rights, women rights, internships Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, Middle East or wider Arabic world during the summer months. Interns will have the unique opportunity to enjoy Palestine, its people and culture during the internship program.
What you need in order to intern in Palestine
- To be 18 years of age or over
- To have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn about Palestine
- To have an interest in meeting people in Palestine
- An ability to communicate in English
- Willingness to be a part of a family in Hebron, Palestine
What you don’t need in order to intern in Palestine:
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel experience
- To be a native English speaker
- An educational degree
- Experience in teaching English
- To be studying full-time
Benefits of the Internship Programs in Palestine
Participants of the Internship Programs in Hebron, West Bank will be provided with:
- 12 hours of conversational Palestinian Arabic lessons for each month they intern. Participants can also study MSA, Fusha or colloquial Arabic.
- Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or in a shared flat.
- Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
- Support during their time in Palestine
- Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron (refugee camps in Hebron, the law faculty, human rights organizations, the old city and different factories)
- An understanding of Palestinian law and an experience of the occupation of the West Bank, Palestine
- An overview of the human rights situation and an opportunity to help Palestinian refugees.
- Educational, community and social activities
- Access to the hospitality of Palestinians and to the pleasant climate
- The opportunity to live in and gain impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East.
- The chance to visit unique tourist attractions from a particularly native perspective – locations including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
- Access to nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Tuition by well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you.
- A certificate upon completion.
Reviews, Ratings and Community Awards
Engage 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, our fundamental mission remains the same: to connect, teach, and develop individuals within the local and international community.
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards”, recognizing Engage in Palestine’s meaningful and unforgettable impact on the community of international travellers. Engage in Palestine programs, including the legal and human rights internships in Hebron, have had many great reviews and testimonials as can be seen here:
- +500 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
- +100 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Internship in Palestine participants video testimonials
Summary
Engage in Palestine offers volunteer and internship programs which mainly focus on the topics of English instruction, human rights, women rights, media and journalism, medicine & healthcare, Palestinian refugees, music and Arts, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal system, Palestinian children and youth. Our Internship programs were designed to make an impact on the Palestinian community and aim to make a long-term difference in international and Palestinian participants’ lives.
Our volunteer and internship programs were developed for graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, political sciences, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, scholars conducting case studies on Palestine and Israel, human aid workers, social workers, teachers, English native speakers, non-native speakers and anyone interested in engaging in the Palestinian culture and daily life. Engage in Palestine welcomes participants of all ages (18+), who may stay for as little as 1 week, or up to 13 weeks, which is the duration of visas granted upon arrival at the Tel Aviv airport.
How to Apply
If you are interested in participating in our internship, please, write to us at info@ecpalestine.org.
Find us online
Whatsapp:+972599479880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
The Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Excellence Center’s 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
