Your guide to volunteering in Palestine: Palestine and the West Bank in particular is a fascinating country due to its history, its culture and its current political situation. However, it can be overwhelming when considering where to volunteering in this special place due to concerns in the media over security and just the size of the place. 5 million people live in the West Bank spread across several important cities, so finding the right location is critical.

Beyond that, it is important to find a volunteer programme with a trustworthy organisation as not all organisations are automatically scrupulous. Additionally, it is worth taking time to identify the correct volunteer programme for you, as your priorities might not always be the same as the organisation in question’s.

Selecting the right location

It is not recommended for potential volunteers to operate in Gaza as most countries will advise against travelling there due to the ongoing security issues. It is a place fully under siege, so the West Bank offers the only real opportunities for volunteering in Palestine. In the West Bank, there are several influential cities: some have a fascinating history like East Jerusalem, Jericho, Nablus, Jenin and Bethlehem, while others like Ramallah and Hebron are big bustling modern cities.

Where you go depends on what is most important for you. If you want to go somewhere which has interesting culture and history, you will need to do research to find the right place for you. Others might be more interested in going somewhere lively where there are more young people and fun things to do while they are there.

Selecting the right organisation

Most organisations offering volunteering programmes will have the best of intentions, but it is always a good idea to be diligent when selecting the right organisation. Be sure to read testimonials from former volunteers and compare review ratings if available.

An organisation might have a mission or volunteer programme you feel strongly about, but if it is not organised in an effective way, it may not be very fun for the volunteers while they do the programme. It’s important therefore to find an organisation which is well-run and balances the needs of the volunteers with the needs of the organisation.

Selecting the right volunteer programme

The same rules apply here as when selecting the right organisation. The volunteer programme is massively important and of course volunteers will want to make sure they are making as much impact with their time as possible. However some organisations may not be well run and while their programmes look interesting, they might not actually be beneficial to volunteers.

Another consideration is your CV as the right programme volunteering in Palestine can be really useful when applying for jobs. Volunteering in Palestine can help a volunteer develop very important skills like adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, dealing with adversity and project management.

Volunteer work in Palestine

The West Bank, Palestine offers volunteering opportunities in which volunteers will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, women, refugees, young adults, university students and families, helping them practice conversational English, organizing workshops and teaching within Hebron’s vibrant community.

In addition, volunteers in Palestine make important contributions to the Palestinian community by working with the men, women, and children of the West Bank whilst also challenging themselves as individuals, learning more about life in Palestine and discovering a new culture

Here are volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine which serve many sectors such as health, environment, human rights and Palestinian refugees, women rights and more.

Our short-term volunteer programs in Palestine include: 

Summer volunteer programs in Palestine 

For people looking for volunteer programs over the summer in the West Bank, Palestine or Israel, the Engage in Palestine offers great volunteer opportunities that span from June to August. These volunteer programs are ideal for students, English native speakers, and anyone with a summer break or any individuals looking to volunteer on an extended visit.

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

1. Volunteer and study Arabic (1-13 weeks)

At the Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine, we offer both short-term and long-term volunteer and internship programs in the city of Hebron, West Bank. Available for 1-13 weeks, volunteers will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, youth, women, refugees, young adults, university students and families by helping them to practice their conversational English, organize workshops in various subjects and teach English in Hebron’s buzzing, social community. Designed to be immersive, authentic and comprehensive, our volunteer programs in Hebron offer a fantastic chance to work in a unique and vibrant setting.

Offering accessible and affordable volunteering and internship programs in Hebron, West Bank for native and non-native English speakers who are interested in helping the Palestinian community whilst learning Arabic, we offer a wide range of volunteer programs which include teaching English as a foreign language and studying and sharing information via workshops about the human rights and legal and political situations in the West Bank.

Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine program is for all English native and non-native speakers. If you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional or retired individual looking for volunteer opportunity in Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, Middle East or wider Arabic world, this program is for you.

2. Journalism and media

Our center is proud to offer our Journalism and Media Internship Program in Palestine, based at our headquarters in Hebron, West Bank. In this volunteer program, we educate students, undergraduates, travelers and anyone interested in the political situation in Israel and Palestine to conduct projects involving journalism and media: reporting news, writing articles, finding and fact checking sources, and utilizing various media forms

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. This is a great 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 Palestine for those with computer and technical skills who are also willing to share knowledge with our Palestinian children, refugees, students and community members in Hebron while also learning about Palestinian culture and life.

 5. Environment and conservation

In this volunteer program, 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 volunteer program is great for those who are interested in Palestinian community development organizations in the area of Palestine and Israel, to help the Palestinian children, youth, community members and Palestinian refugees in the refugees’ camps in and around Hebron and the West Bank. Volunteers can help to build and strengthen community links.

7. Music and art

This volunteer program is designed to help members of the Palestinian community who have a passion for arts and music to learn and to embrace their passion by connecting them with volunteers who are willing to teach them music, singing and various forms of art. Engaging in activities involving music and art is a great way for people to express themselves and relieve stress.

8. Sports volunteering program

Volunteers will be developing their own project and organizing activities centered around raising awareness about sports-related topics such as nutrition, proper training techniques, etc. This program provides a unique chance to engage with our Palestinian youth and to enhance your skills by real on-field experience.

 9. Healthcare

Our volunteer program in Palestine pairs volunteers with local professionals, doctors, and nursing students to facilitate shared learning by working under their supervision of other local professionals. This exchange also provides valuable information about the healthcare system in Palestine, how Palestinians work in local hospitals and what  students study in medical and healthcare specializations in Palestinian universities and colleges. Moreover, the program is available for healthcare professionals from different levels of education starting with pre-medical, pre-nursing students along with certified medical professionals.

Applicants must be: healthcare students, Nursing students, Public health workers, Students currently studying medicine, qualified health professionals, doctors or nutritionists.

10. Human rights

The Human Rights Volunteer Program in Palestine is designed to teach applicants knowledge about human rights. Students will undertake visits to human rights organizations and are offered the ability to practice what they have learned in an encouraging and natural way. Alongside these visits there will also be meetings with human rights activists, workers, law teachers, students, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Engage in Palestine offers this flexible program year-round, for periods of between 1 and 13 weeks, with the choice of start and end dates entirely up to the participant. In order to better inform participants of the complexities surrounding human rights in Palestine, Engage in Palestine will organise visits to human rights organizations, community centers, local activists, refugee camps and Palestinian families.

If you’re looking to volunteer in the Middle East and have an interest in Israeli-Palestinian relations, you will find this internship an ideal opportunity to gain the relevant experience while learning or improving your Arabic language skills at the same time. 

In addition to the specific program objectives, volunteers in Palestine will also get to experience cultural immersion in a Palestinian context by staying with a host family, engaging with local Palestinians, learning Arabic and supporting the friendly community of Hebron.

11. Women’s rights

The women’s rights volunteer program is for students who are interested in social studies, especially the subject of women’s empowerment. Throughout the program, students will gain more insights into women’s rights in Palestine, specifically in the city of Hebron where the Center is located. Participants of the volunteer project will be provided with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations in Hebron, West Bank, and engage in educational and cultural activities during their time in Palestine.

12. Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship 

Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship: This program is ideal for students of law, the social sciences and human rights, and for anyone who is interested in the Palestinian legal system as it operates in the West Bank. Interns can enroll for a period of from 1 to 13 weeks, year-round. The Palestinian Laws program aims to provide a full understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.

During the internship program interns will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal religious institutions and legal clinics. They will witness the enactment of laws, the decision-making process, court rulings, legal negotiations and mediations in a variety of social settings.

13. Palestine and Israel in Context Internship

The Palestine and Israel in Context internship is for students (undergraduate and graduate level), professionals, retirees or indeed anybody interested in the political history and present-day reality of Palestine and Israel. This internship program targets students of the humanities and social sciences who are looking for ways to understand the Israeli/Palestinian situation at first hand. 

By taking part in this internship program, students will be better able to understand and grasp the effects of the conflict at first hand, and will witness the genuine opinions of everyday people, quite separate from the political headlines. We welcome students from all disciplines of the humanities, including but not restricted to the political sciences, international relations and non-profit management.

14. The Palestinian Culture Internship Program

The Palestinian Culture Internship Program: This immersion-style internship is designed to provide its participants a first-hand view of Palestinian culture, art, history, and industry. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful and historic city of Hebron, take day trips of their own to neighboring cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and explore other cultural centers and historical sites. This program is designed to be immersive, meaning it will focus on intensifying participants’ experience with Palestinian customs and culture. 

The cultural immersion program is perfect for a wide range of participants, including students, young professionals, retirees, both native and non-native speakers of English, and anyone interested in Palestinian culture or politics of the Middle East. This program is especially ideal for university students interested in a shorter program than the typical semester or quarter system, and is able to provide academic credit abroad through its partnership with the Palestinian Education Authority. 

Additionally, the Palestinian Culture Program is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning Arabic through a fully immersive linguistic experience. By taking part in this program, those eager to learn Arabic will have the opportunity to speak the language on a daily basis with shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and members of the Palestinian community right here in Hebron! 

15. Volunteer with Palestinian Children

Volunteer with Palestinian Children: This program is an excellent opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students, professionals, retirees, social workers and teachers interested in working with children in a volunteer capacity. It is also ideal for anyone, whether native or non-native English speaker, interested in interning with Palestinian children. In addition, those interested in childhood education will benefit from volunteering with children in Palestine. Volunteers will be provided with a full immersion into Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, the human rights situation and the educational system.

Volunteers in Palestine can join our program for the period of time that best suits them, anything from one to twelve weeks in duration. They can come at any time of the year as we are flexible when it comes to starting and ending dates. People of all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, the only condition being that you have to be at least 18 years old to join.

16. Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees in the West Bank

The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program is a great opportunity for a wide range of people, from students to retirees, who are passionate about human rights and wish to work directly with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. Volunteers in this program will work with Palestinian children, youth, and women primarily in order to enhance their skillsets and provide education. 

Schools within Palestinian refugee camps are widely known to be underdeveloped, lacking many of the basic resources to fulfill their students’ educational needs. Volunteers will therefore work directly inside schools to help fill this disparity, while also having the opportunity to collaborate with human rights organizations, community centers, and international NGOs to advocate for the rights of refugees. Participants will also create educational workshops with a specific audience in mind, such as Palestinian children, youth, or women, to teach new skills while also fostering meaningful cultural exchange. 

Our Impact

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

Benefits of volunteering in Palestine:

• Living in Hebron, West Bank and visiting sites in the local and wider area
• Better Understand Palestinian politics and experience the occupation in the West Bank.
• Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals
• Get to know the human rights situation and supporting Palestinian refugees. 
• Travelling to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem in your free time
• Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
• Spending time and living with a Palestinian host family, if desired
• Visiting Palestinian universities, local institutions and organizations specializing in culture and education
• Eating local Palestinian foods and delicacies
• Attending cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities in Hebron’s social hubs

Flying into Palestine

Unfortunately, there are no airports in Palestine and so it is currently impossible to fly directly into the West Bank. Although Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad, international volunteers and interns can fly to Israeli airports and then cross over to Palestine. We believe the easiest ways to get to the Excellence Center in Hebron are:

• To fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). From there, it takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center in Hebron via shared taxi.

• To fly to Eilat airport in Israel and then travel by booking a shuttle or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. However, this trip can last between 6-7 hours.

• To fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan and then cross over to Palestine, however this route takes more time and is more expensive.

Final remarks

There many other reasons why people should visit and volunteer in the West Bank, Palestine, whether you are planning to go to Palestine for fun, for learning the language or any other subjects or even religious reasons.

Our team at the Engage in Palestine will help you in every step of the way before and during your stay, answering all your questions whether it’s regarding your stay, how to travel to and from Hebron, cost of living, and any other logistics questions, our team will gladly help, guide and advise you throughout the entire process.

Related Volunteer Programs

Find us online

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact at Rafat@excellencenter.org

Whatsapp:+972599479880

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron

Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg

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