The First Week Of Staying In Hebron: As with any new overseas adventure, our participants may find that their first few days or first week can be challenging, very exciting and a lot to take in. You will be meeting so many new people in a totally unfamiliar environment, so it’s natural and normal to feel overwhelmed initially or like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. But after that initial adjustment, you will feel much more comfortable and start to have a lot of fun! Hebron is probably very different to what you are used to, but our staff at our center and your fellow volunteers, interns and students will welcome you and help you feel at home.

The Day You Arrive

The arrival day for each of our participants is likely to be a bit different, depending on the time of day you arrive and the program you are doing. For example, we have our community breakfast at 10am, so if you arrive before then, you will join us for breakfast and get to meet our staff and your fellow participants right away.

You may also get to do other activities such as joining a Palestinian teacher in their English lesson, or going on an excursion in Hebron. If you arrive later in the day, such as in the afternoon, you will likely be able to just relax for awhile. 

Going To Your Accommodation

At some time during the day, usually in the afternoon or evening, a member of our staff will take you to your accommodation, whether you are with a host family, in private accommodation or our male dorm. If you are staying with a host family, they may pick you up from our center, otherwise we will drive you there and introduce you to your new host family. You will then usually spend your first night getting to know your host family, or for men in the male dorm, you will get to know your new roommates. 

Adapting To Your New Surroundings And Getting Settled

If you have just arrived in Palestine or Hebron for the first time, you probably have lots of questions to help get yourself settled. You probably want to know where and how to get a Palestinian sim card, where you can find a good ATM, where the supermarket is, which cafes are the best and so on. While we have a lot of information about Palestine and Hebron on our website, your fellow international participants are also a great source of information, as they have also wondered the same things themselves. 

Sometimes there is no one right answer for certain queries such as which cafe is the best, because there are so many in Hebron and it can really depend on what you like to drink. But your fellow participants can certainly tell you which ones are their favourite. Our Palestinian staff are also available to help you and answer your questions. 

Lots Of New Names And Faces

One of the best things about Engage in Palestine is the wonderful mix of international participants we host from all around the world in addition to our Palestinian staff. It can be a little overwhelming when you have lots of new faces and names to remember, but don’t worry, with time you will get to know everyone! It can feel a little intimidating if you aren’t used to meeting so many new and different people, but just go easy on yourself and take this chance to build your social skills whenever you’re ready. 

Getting To Know Your Fellow Volunteers, Interns And Students

Our community breakfast each morning is a great chance to meet and chat with your fellow participants over delicious Palestinian food. You will also have chances to get to know each other on the tour and excursions we organize and during your specific program’s activities. You will also have some free time in your schedule during your day at the center to chat and hang out and our participants often arrange to eat dinner together or go to a cafe together in the afternoons or evenings. 

Starting Your Arabic Lessons

Generally, if you are joining us at Engage in Palestine to study intensive Arabic with us, you will start your Arabic lessons the day after you arrive. Your arrival day is to get settled and also check your Arabic level if you have previously studied it before. If you are volunteering or interning with us, you will start your 3 hours of Arabic lessons sometime in your first week. 

Preparing Before Your First Lesson

If you have previously studied Arabic before, you may want to refresh your memory a little before your first lesson with us. Otherwise, you can prepare yourself by making sure you have a notebook (or paper to write on) and some pens or pencils. Any other learning materials, we provide. Although some of our Arabic students like to visit Danis bookstore on Ein Sara Street and purchase a Palestinian Arabic – English dictionary or other such materials. 

If you have arrived without a notebook or any writing instruments, you can find them at a stationary store on Ein Sara Street, but you are unlikely to find them in a regular supermarket. 

Your First Weekend

The weekend in Palestine is Friday and Saturday, which is when most of our participants have their two days off. (Although for some programs, the days off might be Friday and another day.) The majority of our volunteers, interns and intensive Arabic students arrange to travel together in small groups to nearby cities during the weekend. Depending when you have arrived and how you are feeling, you might like to join your fellow participants on a weekend trip, or you may wish to stay at home, rest and take your time easing into your new surroundings and routine.  

The Weekend In The West Bank

If you choose to spend your first weekend in the West Bank, note that on Fridays during the day most things will be closed. Supermarkets, some food places and other necessities will usually be open on Fridays but will close either for a short pause or for a few hours in the middle of the day due to the Jum’ah prayer. The Jum’ah prayer is the Friday congregation prayer that is very important in Islam, so during this time you will notice that the streets are extremely quiet.

It’s also worth noting that smaller taxis inside Hebron that can usually be shared along a main route cannot be shared on Fridays and so you will need to pay the private fare. If you wish to take a shared taxi to go away on your first weekend or on any Friday, make sure you catch one before 10am because after this time they will generally stop running after sometime after Jum’ah prayer. 

The Weekend In Israel

If you go to an Israeli city on the weekend, it will be greatly affected by Shabbat (the Sabbath), which starts from Friday afternoon and lasts until Saturday night. This means there will be no public transportation in the city and most things except for some non-kosher businesses will be closed. While it is still possible to find taxis, you will generally more for a taxi during Shabbat. 

Don’t Hesitate To Ask For Help!

Don’t be shy in asking for help! It’s normal to need help and humans aren’t supposed to know everything and do everything all by themselves. It can feel a bit intimidating especially if you’re not used to having to ask people you don’t know or don’t know very well for help, but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes. 

Even when you are outside of our center, Palestinians are mostly very helpful and friendly people, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you get lost. Our Palestinian staff are also here to help you and your fellow volunteers, interns and students can also be a great support network.

Final Thoughts

Your first few days or week with us at Engage in Palestine can be a lot to take in, so it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but be patient with yourself and allow some time for you to adapt. You will soon find you feel very at home and are having a wonderful time. Our Palestinian staff are always here to welcome you and help you and your fellow volunteers, interns and participants are also a great source of support and friendship.