Human Rights Internship Programs in Palestine: Human rights are fundamental rights that people have purely on the basis that they are human. No matter someone’s class status, identity, or circumstances, everyone is deserving of these rights and no one deserves to be oppressed, exploited, abused, or have their dignity and human rights violated or taken away.
Unfortunately, the reality of the world we live in is very different, and countless human rights abuses occur around the world daily. This means that there is much-needed work to be done in the field of human rights to improve the quality of life of millions of people around the world.
The Importance Of Human Rights Internship Programs in Palestine
Human rights programs are so important in boosting the important work of learning about and upholding human rights around the world. To solve or improve any sort of problem, it is necessary to first understand the problem. Human rights programs are one way to enhance your knowledge and understanding so you can contribute to creating and implementing solutions.
Whether it’s identifying potential human rights abuses, or holding to account those who have already committed them, these programs are critical to ensuring we live in a just world and not one where a small number can hoard all the power and wealth to exploit and oppress others.
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With Which Organizations And Where Can I Take A Human Rights Internship?
Human rights internships are available all over the world, whether they are with big multilateral international organizations like the UN or through non-governmental organizations like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International. However, they can be highly competitive as there are many applicants and they are highly sought after. This means that networking and making connections as well as having a resume that stands out are very important.
When looking at internship opportunities, it is usually advisable to build a specialty in a certain regional area and or in a particular thematic focus like human rights law or mine clearing for example because the field of human rights is so wide and spread across the world.
Choose A Regional Focus
Choosing a regional focus is entirely down to your interests and ambitions. If you already have experience or speak a language that makes you particularly suitable for one area, pursue this further and concentrate your efforts on finding something in this region. If you are coming at this with no relevant experience, consider what type of work you most enjoy and where it might be applicable in the future. In addition, you will have to consider whether your current language skills are sufficient or if you will need to study another language to take up an opportunity.
Consider The Middle East
One region that has lots of opportunities to take human rights internships is the Middle East, due to the plethora of international organizations which operate there. While speaking Arabic is advantageous, it’s not always necessary as there are opportunities for English speakers.
How To Find Human Rights Internships
There are a variety of different ways to find human rights internships. If you are a current university student, you likely will be able to find opportunities through your university and an internship may even be compulsory to your studies. You may also be able to find your internship outside of your university and still obtain academic credit for it. You may also be able to find internship opportunities through your network. By talking with the people you know, especially if they work or study in this field or have connections that do, you might be able to find an internship or at least get your foot in the door.
Otherwise, the internet is also full of internship opportunities. You may wish to look on LinkedIn, do a Google search, or look at websites such as Go Overseas that offer a range of different overseas programs from studying abroad, to language learning abroad, to volunteering to internships. Of course, if you have a specific country or region in mind, it will be easier to search and sort through options online.
Advice For Applying For Human Rights Internships
When applying for human rights internships or any other internships, it’s extremely important to carefully read the eligibility requirements and application instructions to create your application accordingly. This sounds very simple and basic, but it’s something that a significant number of applicants overlook.
Firstly, this will ensure that you are applying for an internship you are eligible for. Secondly, it will ensure you provide all the necessary documents and materials for the organization to assess. It also shows the organization that you can follow instructions and pay attention to details.
In addition to this, make sure your resume and cover letter are well-written, free of any errors or typos, and showcase your skills, experience, and education that the organization or internship is specifically looking for. To know what they are looking for, you may find it in the internship outline or application information, however, you can also find out more by researching the organization, the work that they do, who they hire, as well as looking for any reviews, testimonials or feedback that you can find online.
Preparing Yourself For An Overseas Post
If you are lucky enough to be selected for an internship (bearing in mind how fiercely competitive this field is), your journey has only just begun and you will need to start adequately preparing yourself. Keep reading to learn more.
Health Precautions
Before any travel abroad, it’s always a good idea to make sure you have taken all the necessary vaccinations and other health precautions, particularly if you are going somewhere prone to exotic diseases like in Africa or Southeast Asia. Some internship programs may even require a letter from your doctor stating that you are in good health.
Security Precautions
Additionally, if there are security difficulties in the place you wish to undertake your internship, read all the applicable safety information and travel advice before visiting. It can also be a good idea to find blogs, vlogs, or articles created by people who have recently visited or lived in your chosen destination to give you a better idea about the safety situation, and life in general as well as any tips.
Pack Appropriately
Another important consideration is to make sure to pack appropriately for your destination and not pack too much or too little. Research the location to learn about the weather and local culture and customs as these are things that will heavily impact which clothing is most suitable for you to pack. You may also want to pack things for your well-being, such as insect spray, sunscreen, skin care products, feminine hygiene products, and medicine that you are currently taking and for anticipated illnesses.
Start Learning The Local Language
On top of that, you may want to consider learning a bit of the local language so that you can feel comfortable traveling alone in a new and unfamiliar environment (and avoid getting ripped off on transport costs!).
Prepare Your Phone
It’s also a good idea to save an offline map of your destination on the Google Maps app on your phone, which can help you navigate your new surroundings even without the internet. You might also want to look up information about getting a sim card before you arrive, as using your current phone plan abroad is likely to be very expensive.
There are new e-sims available online, which are 100% digital sims for foreign countries, which can be a great way to ensure you have internet as soon as you arrive without needing to buy a physical sim card. However, to buy a digital sim or a new sim abroad, you will need to make sure your phone is unlocked (and not locked to a specific carrier).
Prepare Your Flights And Travel Insurance
Finally, it’s necessary to book travel insurance and flights to your destination. It’s always a good idea to shop around before making any purchases to make sure you get the best deal for you. Another important consideration is finding flights that include a sufficient luggage allowance and that depart and arrive at a suitable time of the day, because some flights may be cheap but if they arrive at midnight, you may have difficulty getting from the airport to wherever you need to go.
The Human Rights Internship At Engage In Palestine
Engage in Palestine runs a Human Rights Internship Program all year round, which focuses on building links with the community to develop direct and indirect action on Human Rights. The program involves visiting courts and refugee camps and speaking with lawyers and activists to develop a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the Human Rights picture in Hebron in the West Bank.
Once you have learned a little more about the local situation, you will run (or assist with) Human Rights workshops for school and university students to help develop Human Rights awareness among young people.
We Include Housing And Arabic Lessons
Engage in Palestine houses successful applicants with a host family (for women) or else in an apartment shared with other interns (for men). All our internship programs offer the opportunity to begin or continue learning Arabic, which is very valuable if you want to build up a focus on the Middle East and continue working in the region.
Once you have completed the internship, you will receive a certificate of completion from our center as well as ongoing support for your plans (such as the provision of a reference).
A Fulfilling Program
The program is so fulfilling as you get to see the impact you are making in the community. If you are selected for this program, you will develop the skills needed to succeed in a career in Human Rights around the world. Applicants who already have experience in law are especially appreciated, but everyone with an interest is welcome to apply. Should you be accepted, program dates are flexible with the internship lasting from a couple of weeks up to three months.
Enhance Your Credentials While Impacting The Community
The internship provided by Engage in Palestine is a really good way to increase your credentials in the field of Human Rights by working with established professionals in the field, but the most important thing about it is the chance to do real good and provide help for a community which you will soon feel embedded within. Seeing the difference you can make and making new friends are the highlights for most of our interns. They find that not only do the locals provide ongoing updates as to the lasting impact of the interns’ work, but they also help the former interns to continue their Arabic learning journey once they have left the Middle East.
A Genuine Impact
We aim to make a long-term difference with all of our volunteer and internship programs, for both the Palestinian local community and you through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. All of our programs are well-researched and targeted to ensure they have a real impact and foster shared learning for both our community and you. Volunteering or interning in the West Bank affords you the unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life and the lives of local Palestinians and the wider community. This is particularly critical work when it comes to the field of human rights.
During your program, you will have the experience of being immersed in Palestinian culture and daily life while learning about the current political and human rights situation first-hand from Palestinians. This will better educate and inform you, ensuring you are better equipped to make a genuine impact on the lives of those in the local community as well as your own life.
Our Summer Human Rights Internship Program
If you’re looking for human rights programs in Palestine of the Middle East in summer, we invite you to join us. Our summer program is particularly ideal for students or those with an extended break during the summer, however, you don’t have to be a student. If you are a current student looking for academic credit towards your studies, we can provide this thanks to our collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.
The summer months are our busiest in terms of hosting international volunteers, interns, and students from around the world, so there are plenty of chances to make friends and have cultural exchanges. While you are in Palestine, you will get to learn not only about the human rights situation, but you will also learn some Arabic with the classes that we provide, as well as in your own time as you will be immersed in Palestinian culture and Palestinian Arabic.
The Benefits You Receive From Participating In Our Human Rights Program
Engage in Palestine offers numerous benefits to all of our participants. Some of these benefits include:
- Immersion in Palestinian daily life and culture, while living in Hebron – the largest city in the West Bank.
- Included accommodation with a Palestinian host family (for women) or an all-male dorm (for men).
- Breakfast each day that you are out of our center, where you can try authentic Palestinian food in a social atmosphere.
- There are plenty of chances to engage with the local community, whether through trips that we organize, through your program commitments (such as teaching classes or facilitating activities or workshops), as well as in your own free time.
- Gain an understanding of the human rights situation in Palestine through presentations, meetings, and visits to human rights organizations, as well as other relevant organizations and areas affected by the Israeli occupation.
- You get to create and deliver presentations or workshops for Palestinian youth based on your expertise in the field of human rights.
- We provide you with three hours of Arabic tuition each week of your program, in either MSA, Levantine, or Colloquial Palestinian dialect, taught by one of our well-qualified Arabic teachers.
- Your Arabic lessons will be taught one-on-one or in small groups, allowing you to receive personalized instruction and attention from your teacher, helping you learn faster.
- Meet new people and make friends with other volunteers, interns, students, our Palestinian staff as well as locals.
- Opportunities to enjoy traditional Palestinian food and drinks and experience Palestinian hospitality.
- We include various activities and trips around Hebron that we organize, such as to the Old City, keffiyeh factory, glass and ceramics factory, Ibrahimi mosque, a local refugee camp, local artists, and local organizations.
- You will have two days off per week to spend as you wish. You may wish to plan trips with your new friends to nearby cities such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, the Dead Sea in Jericho, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- We provide 24/7 program assistance, including pre-departure support.
- If you would like, we can provide current students with academic credit for the duration of their program.
- You will also receive a certificate upon completion of your 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
Summary
Participating in a human rights program in the West Bank will surely have a positive impact on your life and allow you to positively impact the lives of those around you as well as in our local community. The field of human rights is critical in the strive for a just and fair world, and it begins with educating ourselves and those around us. While there are many human rights programs available around the world, we invite you to join us in Palestine, which has been suffering from oppression and human rights abuses due to the Israeli Occupation for over 70 years.
This means that there are many opportunities in Palestine to learn about human rights as well as to contribute to improving the situation. One person cannot fix human rights issues. It is a collective effort and each person can teach another. At Engage in Palestine, we work to ensure a mutually beneficial experience, both for our local community and for our volunteers. Our programs are ideal for students, graduates, professionals, anyone taking a gap year or sabbatical, or anyone else wishing to go beyond being a regular tourist in Palestine.
We look forward to receiving your application for our human rights program soon!
Contact Us
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
