The Media and Journalism volunteer program in the West Bank, Palestine is an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in giving a voice to Palestinians on the global stage. Volunteers on this program will be helping to raise awareness of circumstances within the West Bank, while also learning about ethical journalistic practices. Although this Media & Journalism program would suit a wide range of potential volunteers, seasoned and aspiring journalists are especially encouraged to apply. 

This volunteer program in the West Bank, Palestine would also be of  interest to students of journalism, mass communication, media studies, communications, political science, English, social work and other related fields. Recent graduates will welcome the opportunity of gaining real-world experience from this program, as cross-cultural communication, travel within the Middle East and Arabic language acquisition are all highly valued by prospective employers. 

During the Media and Journalism program, volunteers will be responsible for conducting video interviews with local Palestinians and writing articles which encapsulate the Palestinian refugee experience. They will also participate in Center-led activities and will become familiar with the daily life of Palestinians and human rights situation.

Document Palestinian Daily Life

Both experienced and amateur photographers with an interest or experience in photojournalism are also encouraged to apply. Volunteers with this specialisation will have the opportunity to participate in photography missions in Hebron and the surrounding areas which will document Palestinian daily life. Volunteers will at times be researching contemporary issues within Palestine, fact-checking articles and verifying sources while utilising various forms of media in order to improve the representation of Palestinians within the media.

This volunteer opportunity is span from one week to three months (13 Weeks) year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring). Our volunteer programs in Hebron, West Bank provide you the chance to work in a fascinating and energetic environment since they are created to be immersive, genuine, and complete.

Program Overview

The Media and Journalism volunteer program can help participants to make connections and build relationships with people from all over the world while working to aid refugees and the local community of Hebron. During their time on the program, volunteers will design and facilitate workshops which will educate Palestinians on the power of media, ethical reporting standards and the process of media production. 

The workshops may also function as seminars and classes, with past examples including an overview of ethical sourcing and intellectual property and an insight into journalistic practices. Volunteers will also teach young Palestinians to be more aware when using the internet and social media so that they may use them more deliberately and responsibly. 

Program participants have the chance (on their Own) also travel to the neighbouring cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Tel Aviv and Haifa in order to visit important historical and cultural sites, international organisations and NGOs,  media outlets and radio centers. 

As with all our programs, volunteers will be entitled to 3 hours of complimentary Arabic lessons per week. These classes are designed so that participants may be better able to communicate with the people with whom they are working by connecting with them on a more fundamental level. Making the effort to learn the local language is seen as a mark of respect for the culture, and is one that will be noted and appreciated by all those you meet.

Regular Tasks For Volunteers:

• Become acquainted with Palestinian culture and the Arabic language
• Learn about the importance of media in Palestine
• Document the lives of local Palestinians and refugees in the West Bank 
• Record daily activities of volunteers at the Center
• Design and conduct workshops to educate Palestinians on journalism and media
• Participate in Center-led excursions to Hebron and neighboring cities
• Enroll in 3 hours of Arabic language classes per week

Who Can Join Our Volunteer Program In Palestine?

This incredible volunteer opportunity is open to anyone with an interest in or a competency in journalism or media. This can include undergraduate students or postgraduate students with a degree in Journalism, English or a related topic, as well as anyone looking for experience in the fields of journalism and media.

This program gives volunteers an opportunity to establish a solid foundation in their chosen field, and as such it is open to as broad a range of applicants as possible. The requirements for the Journalism and Media Volunteer Program in Palestine are as follows:

•  Aged 18 years and over
•  Able to communicate in English
•  Patient and enthusiastic
•  Willing to work with a team of colleagues from all over the world
•  Eagerness to learn

What You Don’t Need?

•  Ability to speak Arabic
•  Travel or work experience
•  To be a native English speaker
•  A degree in journalism

Summer Volunteer Programs In Palestine 

For people looking for Media and Journalism volunteer opportunities in Israel, West Bank, Palestine or the Middle East over the summer months, Engage in Palestine offers a summer program that runs from June until August. These programs are ideal for students on a summer break or for anyone looking to volunteer during an extended visit to the region.

These summer Media and Journalism volunteer programs combine an Arabic language focus with a full  immersion and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics and history. It includes visits to Bedouin areas (Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages and community centers.

Importance Of Media In Palestine

By volunteering in Media and Journalism in the West Bank, program participants will help elevate Palestinian voices on the global stage where they have historically been denied representation. This has in turn led to the misrepresentation of Palestinians, making it all the more important for journalists to use the correct language when reporting on Palestinian issues. 

Engage in Palestine aims to connect Palestine to the world through the work of international visitors, where participants can experience for themselves the diversity of perspectives and identities among Palestinians. In addition to participants learning about Palestine, Palestinians in turn will be able to gain a greater understanding of the world through their interactions with the participants. In this way, exchanges between Palestinians and their visitors can become a mutually beneficial and symbiotic process. 

During the program, volunteers and interns will assist local Palestinian news agencies as they articulate the Palestinian perspective throughout the Arabic-speaking world. Compared to major news organisations such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, Palestinian news agencies lack the necessary resources to expand their audience. By volunteering with Engage in Palestine, participants can help these news organisations gain acknowledgment and respect from a larger regional and international audience. 

Why Take Part In This Program? 

Engage in Palestine’s Media and Journalism Program can help aspiring journalists sharpen their media skills while they immerse themselves in the many facets of Palestinian culture. Because the program is located in Hebron, participants will inevitably gain an understanding of daily life in Palestine. 

Volunteering in the Media and Journalism Program in the West Bank is an excellent way to learn the ins and outs of ethical journalism, the process of publishing in the media, and the real-life impact of world news on the communities being featured. As part of the program participants will take part in community festivals, visit areas of historical and political significance and work closely with the local community of Hebron. 

At the conclusion of the program, volunteers on the Media and Journalism Program will be able to share the knowledge that they have acquired with Palestinians here in Hebron. In this way they can ensure that the local community will be able to discern ethical journalism for themselves as they analyze news media and create their own. 

Who Is This Program For? 

This program is for anyone interested in journalism, media and the effects of global news practices on Palestine. It would be ideal for students of Journalism and Communication Studies, as well as anyone interested in a career in journalism.  

Volunteering on this program would also suit those interested in working with non-profits organisations , charities and NGOs in a specific cultural or linguistic context, as experience of local cultures and languages in the Middle East is an increasingly desirable asset to have. 

Benefits Of Volunteering In Palestine

Volunteers on the Media and Journalism program will receive many benefits during their time in the city of Hebron, as they will be able to participate in many educational, cultural, social and community development activities.

Benefits of volunteering in Media and Journalism in Palestine:

• Living in Hebron and visiting sites of cultural and historical importance

• Gaining an understanding of Palestinian politics and experiencing the occupation in the West Bank.

• Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and using it to communicate with locals

• Learning about the human rights situation and aiding Palestinian refugees. 

• Travelling to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem in your free time

• Having access to cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth.

• Spending time with a Palestinian host family, if available

• Visiting Palestinian universities, local institutions and organizations specializing in culture and education

• Eating local Palestinian foods and delicacies

• Attending cultural nights which feature entertainment and activities in Hebron’s social hubs

Our Programs Make Great Impact 

Our Journalism Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine are well researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian life, media, culture and human rights. We aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”.

Volunteering and interning in Hebron, West Bank is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, refugees, women, youth and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.

Flexible Booking

At Engage in Palestine we understand that things change. As such, our programmes are incredibly flexible in case you need to alter travel plans or just simply have a change of heart. As programs begin at the center year-round (with flexible start and end dates), you decide your arrival.

Furthermore, you’re able to change your start date entirely free of charge if requested at least two weeks beforehand.

Schedule For Volunteers

Volunteering with Engage in Palestine requires commitment and flexibility. The Media and Journalism Program can last from 1 to 5 weeks, with each week broken up into stages. On average volunteers are expected to work approximately 30 hours per week from 10 am to 5 pm. Participants will have two days off per week, one on Friday when the Center is closed and another on a day of the participant’s choosing.

Breakfast is provided every morning at the Center and typically consists of bread, olive oil and za’atar, hummus, labneh, baba ghanoush, falafel, and cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper – basically all the essentials you will find in a traditional Palestinian morning meal. Center staff, volunteers and interns all sit together during breakfast, which gives everyone a chance to touch base while creating strong communal bonds. 

The Center also facilitates regular excursions into Hebron throughout the week, connecting volunteers with local activists and Palestinian community organisations. Evenings are usually free, giving volunteers the chance to explore the City of Hebron and its many restaurants, shops and historical sites on their own or in the company of their colleagues.

In addition to their specific programs, volunteers will also be attending Arabic classes for a total of three hours per week, something which will require some study and preparation. All of this means that schedules tend to fill up fast, and volunteers usually find that their time in Palestine passes very quickly. 

The First Week

The first week of the program will be spent adapting to life in Hebron and preparing for service in the volunteer’s field of expertise. During the first week volunteers will also attend classes on Palestinian culture and the Arabic language, thus enabling them to better interact with Palestinians. 

Palestinians are a traditionally hospitable and welcoming people, and will certainly appreciate any effort that volunteers make to speak Arabic, as this shows a genuine interest and respect for Palestinians and their culture. 

The Following Weeks

Once settled in, volunteers will start learning about media and journalism within the context of Palestine, and may also start facilitating workshops alongside local Palestinians. Workshops will focus on safe internet navigation, ethical sourcing of information and materials, and the effect of news media on world affairs and public opinion. Workshops may subsequently expand beyond these topics into more diverse or specific subjects, and Engage in Palestine will be only to happy to offer guidance on any program of special interest to volunteers. 

During their time in Hebron, volunteers will have the option of taking part in Center-led excursions to Hebron, West Bank. These site visits are a great opportunity to explore Palestine while gaining a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural, social and political factors which affect the lives of all Palestinians. 

Who Can Participate?

Engage in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis; this includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other basis. Engage in Palestine has a long history of welcoming people from around the globe, from all walks of life, and from all backgrounds and identities. All are welcome!

Previous participants on our programs have hailed from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States! 

Traveling To Hebron

Getting to Hebron, Palestine can entail a lot of traveling, but it need not be arduous. Although there may be some obstacles to overcome, Engage in Palestine has compiled a list of resources that will help you to reach us in an efficient, safe and practical manner. Please read our articles below on planning your trip, flying to Palestine, the different routes to Hebron, and on Israeli and Palestinian taxi services: 

• How to fly to Palestine
• How to get to Hebron, Palestine
• Planning your trip to Palestine
• How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron

If you have any further enquiries about travel to Palestine, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our contact information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Accommodation While Living In Palestine

When staying in Hebron, you will have the option of residing with a Palestinian host family or in a dorm. There are advantages to both of these options. If staying in a dorm, you will have more time to become acquainted with other participants and volunteers. Furthermore, the dorms are located in Hebron’s metropolitan center, providing ample opportunities for exploring the city, either on your own or in the company of your colleagues.

The second option available to female participants, is to reside with a Palestinian host family. This option will give participants an intimate view of the daily life, customs and culture of Palestinians, while giving them a chance to familiarize themselves with family structures as well as tasting some delicious Palestinian cuisine. It is also likely that participants residing with a host family will be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience! 

Whichever housing option participants choose, their time in Palestine is sure to be enriching and memorable! 

Interacting With Palestinian Culture

Interns and volunteers will find that the majority of Palestinians are incredibly friendly and open to foreigners. If volunteers utilize their Arabic skills, no matter how well-developed, they will find that most Palestinians are enthusiastic and patient communicators who are delighted that people have taken an interest in their language and culture. 

In addition, Palestine is located at the heart of the Levant (the area associated with the Eastern Mediterranean), providing ample opportunities for visiting cultural sights, historical monuments and many other landmarks. Although Palestine can at times face difficult situations, participants will find that the Palestinian people are friendly and open, and that Palestine in general is a safe place to visit! 

A Unique Experience

Although the Center hosts volunteers from all over the world, many people are unaware of the cultural diversity of Palestine and the Levant, having only a vague understanding of the timeless heritage of these lands. 

By enrolling in this volunteer program, participants will experience something unique that is sure to be remembered throughout their lives. Participants will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Arabic language and culture while living in Hebron. 

In Which Language Is The Program Run? 

All of our volunteer programs are geared toward English speakers. For the sake of immersion, however, the higher the Arabic course level taken the less English will be utilised in the classroom. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to utilise their Arabic skills to the best of their ability while living in Hebron, ensuring that their time spent here will be a fully immersive experience.

General Information Regarding The Program

Program Costs And Information

Engage in Palestine is priced competitively in comparison with other programs, with costs of 750€ a month and 250€ a week. Program costs cover language courses, accommodation, complimentary breakfast each day the participant is at the center, operating costs and group excursions. There are no additional or hidden fees applied to these programs, as the price quoted above is the complete and final cost that participants will pay.

Program Fees Cover:

• Accommodation
• Language courses
• Operating costs
• Complimentary breakfast 
• Group excursions into Hebron 

Program Reviews 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”. 

In 2021, we were also rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “Best Language School”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.” 

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. 

Check out our many great reviews here:

• +730 Reviews (96%) on Gooverseas.com
• +150 Reviews (96%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

Summary

The Volunteer in Media and Journalism Program in the West Bank, Palestine will present you with a unique opportunity  to help elevate Palestinian voices in the media. Ethical journalism is of crucial importance here, owing to the historical and continuous misrepresentation of Palestine and Palestinians in the international media. 

Palestinian voices can be drowned out during periods of rising tensions, while being completely disregarded at other times. Anyone who has a passion for human rights, for equal representation for all on the world stage and for improving the quality of ethical journalism will find that this program will satisfy their needs.

How to Apply

If you are interested in participating in our Media and Journalism Program, please write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We should be able to respond to your initial inquiry within 1-3 business days.

In the subject line of your email write “Volunteer in Media and Journalism.” Upon responding we will attach an application form which you can fill out and return to us to begin the process.

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