Suppose you’ve made up your mind to volunteer in the Middle East and have specifically chosen Palestine as your destination to offer aid. In that case, the path forward can still seem daunting, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the region. Volunteering in Palestine involves navigating several complexities, including visa requirements, potential language barriers, and finding a suitable program that aligns with your skills and interests. Understanding these elements is crucial for a smooth and successful volunteer experience. The visa application process can vary depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay, so it’s important to research and prepare the necessary documentation in advance to avoid any delays.
Moreover, the language barrier can be a significant consideration, as Arabic is the predominant language in Palestine. While many organizations and local communities may use English, especially in professional and educational settings, having some proficiency in Arabic can enhance your experience and interactions. To ease this challenge, consider programs that offer language support or courses as part of their volunteer package. Additionally, selecting the right volunteer program involves researching various organizations to find one that aligns with your goals and values. Ensuring that your program provides comprehensive support, including pre-departure preparation and on-the-ground assistance, will help you overcome these hurdles and make a meaningful impact during your time in Palestine.
Finding a Volunteer Program in Palestine
As ever, the internet is your friend when you are looking for volunteer programs in Palestine. There is a bit of a trade-off here as you might miss some of the smaller programs with organizations that are too small to have an internet presence, but by sticking with the larger, more official organizations, you will avoid unscrupulous organizations who are merely seeking to use volunteers to their ends. Be sure to do your research thoroughly, paying particular attention to former volunteer testimonials and feedback. These are key to seeing whether a particular organization and program will be a good fit for you culturally and help achieve the goals you want.
Volunteer or Intern in the Summer
Join us this summer for a unique and vibrant experience! Summer is when our organization is at its busiest, offering a variety of opportunities that go beyond traditionally similar programs. Whether you’re interested in volunteering or gaining professional experience through an internship, our summer programs are designed to make the most of your time abroad.
We offer volunteer placements and internships that allow you to engage directly with local communities and gain hands-on experience in your field of interest. Thanks to our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, these opportunities can also provide academic credit towards your studies, making them ideal for university or college students looking to enrich their summer break. However, if you’re not currently a student or aren’t seeking academic credit, you’re still welcome to participate.
If you’re interested in making a meaningful impact this summer, explore more about our volunteer and internship programs on our website.
Winter Volunteer Programs
Our Winter Volunteer and Internship Programs run from October to late March, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and community of Palestine during the cooler months. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, gaining practical experience through an internship, or exploring a new language and culture, our winter programs are tailored to provide a fulfilling and impactful experience.
Participants can choose to stay for anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, allowing for flexibility in how they engage with local communities and contribute to meaningful projects. Winter in Palestine offers a different pace and atmosphere, making it an ideal time to connect with the people, explore the region, and make a lasting impact.
Our Volunteer and Internship Programs
Volunteer in Palestine offers short-term volunteer and internship programs for people interested in going to Palestine, focusing on human rights, Palestinian children, women’s rights, journalism, teaching English, sports, medicine, Palestinian refugees, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal system, and the political history and current situation of Palestine and Israel.
Our volunteer programs in Palestine are especially ideal for students and people looking for volunteer and internship programs in the summertime located in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East.
Our volunteer programs were developed for graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, or political sciences, as well as 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 Palestinian culture and daily life.
Here you may find the list of our volunteers and internships program in Palestine:
Who Can Join Us?
Volunteering and internship opportunities in Palestine have been gaining increasing attention each year, particularly in the areas of education, community development, human rights, and support for refugees and Palestinian children. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer, a first-time contributor, part of a group, or a family, there are meaningful ways for individuals from various backgrounds to engage in the West Bank and immerse themselves in Palestinian culture.
Regardless of your background, skills, age, or abilities, we offer opportunities that align with your passion and commitment. Join us in making a positive impact in Palestine.
When Can You Join Us And For How Long?
Volunteers, interns, and Arabic students who would like to go to Palestine and the West Bank can join our programs for 1-13 weeks at any time of the year (summer, winter, fall, and spring). We are flexible with starting and ending dates.
Volunteering Through an International NGO in Palestine
Given the ongoing problems of Occupation that the Palestinians must endure, many international NGOs target their efforts towards Palestine. The Red Crescent in particular (an affiliate of the International Red Cross Committee) does great work here, in the fields of personal development, health, and general well-being.
These organizations tend to be fairly well-funded and professionally run which will lead to a better quality of volunteer experience. The drawback can sometimes be that because they are so well known, it can be very competitive to find roles with them and even unpaid volunteer roles can be difficult to obtain without the necessary background and experience.
Volunteering With a Local NGO in Palestine
Many smaller NGOs operate in the bigger cities of the West Bank. Particularly prevalent are culture centers and small-scale organizations helping refugees or religious organizations. These NGOs can be harder to find on your first visit to Palestine, and it can sometimes be a better idea to try your hand with one of these once you know the area and the language a bit better. There can be a culture clash when foreigners visit Palestine for the first time, so it can be the case that immediately embedding yourself into a strongly Palestinian organization on the first attempt can be difficult!
Volunteering in a Local Palestinian Language School
This option can be an interesting alternative to the other two previously described. A language school is generally likely to be more professionally run than a local NGO (and sometimes even some of the international NGO). Working alongside Palestinians you will develop your skills (particularly if the volunteering involves teaching), whilst learning Arabic and integrating into the local culture, which is always a very nice feeling. Additionally, the teachers are likely to speak a good level of English which helps you integrate smoothly and avoid too much of a culture shock when you first come to Palestine to volunteer.
Diverse Volunteering Opportunities
An option that achieves the best of all worlds is the volunteering program with us here at Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron, the West Bank, Palestine. Here you can volunteer in any role you like— as a nurse, an engineer, a sports coach, or even a circus performer as we had earlier this year. A dedicated liaison manager will work with the community to channel your help to where it is needed the most.
English Teaching and Community Impact
The most common form of volunteering is as an English Teacher. In this role, you will work alongside an experienced Palestinian teacher (who speaks English) to deliver quality education to children who need it. This can be in Volunteer in Palestine, as well as in the surrounding villages of Hebron and the nearby Fawwar Refugee Camp. Volunteer in Palestine oversees volunteers’ development to ensure they are constantly improving their teaching skills and providing value for the community.
Support, Logistics, and Volunteer Experience
In addition to your accommodation, the volunteer program also includes some of your meals and dedicated Arabic tutoring to help develop your language skills and help you speak to those in the community who you are helping. A Palestinian tutor will personally oversee your development and ensure that, with the immersive experience of constantly being alongside Arabic speakers, your language skills improve rapidly.
Volunteer in Palestine will give you all the necessary support to ensure that you can arrive safely in Hebron with the minimum possible stress. Volunteer in Palestine will guide you through the process of obtaining a visa on arrival at Ben Gurion airport (it is not advised to enter the West Bank from Jordan), and help you with transport from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and then down to Hebron.
All volunteers who come to Volunteer in Palestine tend to have a good time with glowing testimonials and feedback as a result. Volunteers are surprised how much there is to do both in Hebron and elsewhere in the West Bank, and how safe the place is given the negative picture portrayed in the media.
Impact of Volunteering or Interning in Palestine
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.
Volunteer and Internship Programs in Gaza
Gaza Strip offers a variety of volunteer and internship programs. They cover important topics like human rights, teaching English, women’s rights in Palestine, supporting Palestinian refugees and children, journalism, Palestinian culture, and politics.
The volunteer and internship opportunities in Gaza, Palestine are for a wide range of people, including students who study the Middle East and Arabic, people interested in politics, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, researchers studying Palestine and Israel, humanitarian workers, social workers, teachers, native English speakers, non-native English speakers, and anyone who wants to learn about Palestinian culture and daily life. If you want to learn more, please click here.
Internship opportunities in Gaza primarily center in cities like Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah, Deir al-Balah, and Jabalia. Gaza City, the region’s economic and cultural hub, offers internships with NGOs, media outlets, and universities in fields such as humanitarian aid, human rights, and education. Khan Younis and Rafah, known for their refugee populations, provide internships focused on community development, refugee support, and agricultural projects. Deir al-Balah and Jabalia offer opportunities in areas like environmental conservation, health clinics, and social services, particularly within refugee camps. These internships allow you to engage directly with communities while gaining valuable experience in a complex environment.
Volunteer in the West Bank
Volunteering in the West Bank offers a unique opportunity to engage with Palestinian communities in cities like Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, each with its distinct cultural and historical significance. In Ramallah, the administrative hub, you can work with NGOs focused on human rights, youth development, and education. Bethlehem, known for its religious heritage, offers opportunities in community centers, schools, and refugee support, while Hebron, with its rich history and complex political landscape, is ideal for those interested in peace-building and human rights monitoring. Other cities like Nablus and Jenin provide volunteer experiences in cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and support for local artisans and refugees.
Cities like Jericho, Tulkarem, and Qalqilya present opportunities to volunteer in environmental conservation, rural development, and educational programs, often within communities facing unique challenges due to the political situation. Whether you are eager for teaching, cultural initiatives, or social services, the West Bank offers a diverse range of volunteer experiences that allow you to contribute meaningfully while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and daily life.
Reviews and Awards
Volunteer in Palestine has been offering its services since 2011. Throughout the years, we have been developing many programs and online courses. We use the most advanced methods which we develop and enhance year after year. Education and learning is an active process that is always advancing, and you will be part of the development.
Despite continuous program improvements for the best learning experience, our core goal remains: connecting, teaching, and developing individuals for the benefit of them and the community. Additionally, we aim to promote and encourage exchange in the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards excellence:
In 2022, we ranked as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities”. We also ranked as “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. Among others, Volunteer in Palestine earned recognition as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits”. Besides that, we were also one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.
In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards”. This award was a recognition of Volunteer in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community. You can check our ratings below.
- +800 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +160 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Conclusion
Volunteering in Palestine presents a rewarding yet complex opportunity for those eager to make a difference. While navigating visa requirements, potential language barriers, and finding the right program can be challenging, thorough research and preparation can lead to a fulfilling experience. By selecting a well-supported program that aligns with your skills and interests, you can effectively contribute to addressing the region’s needs and immerse yourself in the local culture. Programs offered by reputable organizations, whether during summer or winter, provide a range of opportunities, from teaching and medical assistance to community development and human rights.
The diverse volunteer programs available in Palestine, including those in major cities and rural areas, offer a chance to engage deeply with local communities. With comprehensive support from organizations like Volunteer in Palestine, volunteers can overcome logistical challenges and focus on making a meaningful impact. Whether through short-term or long-term commitments, your involvement will not only aid Palestinian communities but also enrich your understanding of this complex and vibrant region.
Find Out More
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
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