Fieldwork and Academic Research in the West Bank: Palestine is a popular place for researchers, students, and professors to conduct fieldwork due partly to the current political situation. Volunteer in Palestine can assist you with your work if you want to research the conflict’s impact on children, unemployment, water scarcity, or women’s rights.
The Center accommodates international researchers who need assistance conducting research for bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs that require fieldwork. Experience on the ground is a valuable asset to research, making you more desirable and better prepared for a competitive job market.
If this is your first empirical research experience, the Center is prepared to assist you in practically applying your specialty.
Table of Contents
Fieldwork and Academic Research in Palestine
Naturally, all research projects have a unique, specialized focus. Volunteer in Palestine encourages students from all disciplines to conduct fieldwork here or elsewhere in Hebron. Researchers will find the Center welcoming and ideal for embarking on their work, coordinating with other researchers, and meeting Palestinians to help explore and develop ideas.
Translation
We at Volunteer in Palestine know that researchers may not have the linguistic ability to communicate with the local community while conducting fieldwork. Our team is more than happy to assist you in this endeavor, whether it be interpreting during interviews with Palestinians or translating documents and transcripts.
Networking
Our staff can also assist researchers in identifying interview participants, connecting with local Palestinian organizations, and gathering data. This program is excellent for those intending to:
- Conduct fieldwork in the West Bank.
- Write about your experience with the situation in Palestine.
- Formulate bachelors, masters, or doctoral thesis topics on the
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Research Contract
Suppose a prospective participant would like assistance with their proposal through the Center. In that case, we ask you to inform us of your research objectives and methodology and sign the necessary agreement.
The contract ensures that researchers abide by all ethical considerations–for example, the AAA ethics guidelines for those studying anthropology–including those issued by the participant’s home university.
Center staff are happy to provide you with a letter to support your application to your university’s ethics committee. Additionally, all participants during fieldwork shall be anonymous, and the participants will supply the Center with their findings after the program.
Work at the Center
As a participant with the Volunteer in Palestine, we expect you to dedicate a small amount of your time to volunteering for other programs. However, this will not impede your main research objectives and may benefit your research. By working with the Center, you will join a network of Palestinians and international researchers who can help support your fieldwork and research.
Time Off
Participants will have two days off weekly and receive four monthly vacation days. During this time, you can visit various historical and cultural sites around Hebron and throughout the region. You can also see numerous universities in the West Bank to access their libraries and databases.
Hebron, Your Fieldwork and Academic Research
During your research project, you will stay in Hebron, where the Center will be your headquarters. Hebron is a microcosm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as all of the key occupation practices are evident here. This makes this city ideal and thought-provoking for those conducting research on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
With its strong ties to the local community in and around Hebron, Engage in Palestine will provide you with a broad network to help you with your fieldwork.
| Program Location | Hebron, Palestine |
| Program Fees Per Week | 400 Euros per week |
| Age | 18-75 years old |
| Duration | 1-12 weeks |
| Program Focus | Fieldwork Research Case studies |
| Related Subjects | Arabic Studies Humanitarian Aid Human Rights Israel-Palestine Conflict Middle Eastern Studies Political Science |
| Number of Participants | Varies |
| Reviews and Ratings | Reviews and ratings on gooverseas.com Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com |
| Start/End Dates | Flexible to fit participant’s schedule |
| Application Deadline | No deadline |
| University Credit | Available |
| Program Language | English |
Program Benefits
This program will allow you to gain insights into one of the most politically divisive regions in the world. Participants in the Fieldwork and Academic Research Program in Palestine will be provided with:
- Accommodations with a Palestinian host family or in a shared dorm or apartment
- Palestinian hospitality
- Complimentary breakfast provided by the Center 6 times per week (Sat-Thur)
- 12 hours of conversational Palestinian Arabic lessons for each month of participation
- Participants may choose between Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Colloquial Arabic—specifically, Levantine and/or Palestinian.
- Qualified Arabic instructors with a specialized educational background
- Center-led visits to various sites in Hebron, such as the Old City, religious sites, refugee camps, multiple factories, and industrial hubs
- Opportunities to visit other cities, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Nazareth
- Engagement in educational and social activities
- Firsthand experience of life under occupation
- A better understanding of human rights issues through day trips to refugee camps and Israeli settlements
- Certification upon completion
Trepidations?
Given the political state, we understand that people may have reservations about traveling to the West Bank, but Volunteer in Palestine is here to support you. Palestinians are very friendly, helpful, and hospitable; they’re often eager to meet foreigners to welcome them and connect.
The Center hosts international visitors to study, volunteer, intern, or visit throughout the year. During your program, you will meet other international researchers, Palestinian students, young professionals, and community members who provide or help you access our services. You will have plenty of opportunities to engage with them in various Center-led educational and community activities, such as sports exercises, after-school English clubs, and visits to local historical and cultural sites.
Volunteer in Palestine is a very cohesive community, and we treat our Palestinian students and international visitors like family. With the bustling social atmosphere of Hebron and the variety of people at the Center, you will indeed never feel lonely.
Getting Started
Palestine is a fruitful place for researchers of all disciplines to conduct their work, and Volunteer in Palestine is pleased to assist you in your endeavors while here.
During your time here, we can help you identify interview participants, introduce you to local organizations, translate Arabic transcripts needed for research, and more. To get started, inform us of your project ideas and research objectives; after contract details have been drafted and agreed upon, you will be ready to begin your adventure!
Program Eligibility
Anyone between 18 and 75 is eligible for the Fieldwork and Academic Research Program. Previously acquired degrees are not necessary for this program, and all fields of study are welcome.
VISA Process
The Palestinian Authority oversees internal Palestinian affairs within the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; however, they have no power to control or regulate travel into the Territories or out through bordering countries and cannot issue tourist VISAs to anyone who wants to enter Palestine. Participants must receive their VISA from the Israeli authorities to be granted entry upon arrival. You can also apply for a VISA beforehand or through an Israeli embassy or consulate.
VISAs upon arrival are rarely denied to those traveling via the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv; however, if you are accessing Israel through land crossings, you may experience longer wait times. After clearing customs, most citizens of the US or European countries are issued tourist VISAs, which are valid for 90 days.
Traveling to Hebron, Palestine
Reaching the Center in Hebron, Palestine will be a long journey. Although there are some obstacles when traveling to Hebron, Volunteer in Palestine has all the resources you need to reach us efficiently, safely, and practically.
Please read our articles below on planning your trip, flying to Palestine, the different routes to Hebron, and 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 inquiries about travel to Palestine, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Our contact information is at the bottom of this page.
Conclusion
Engaging in fieldwork and academic research in Palestine offers unparalleled opportunities to gain firsthand experience in a region rich with historical, cultural, and political significance. Programs like Volunteer in Palestine provide comprehensive support, including assistance with research logistics, translation services, and networking with local organizations, which are invaluable for conducting meaningful and ethical research.
By immersing yourself in the local context, you enhance your academic credentials and contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Such experiences foster cross-cultural understanding and can significantly enrich personal and professional development.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding the Fieldwork and Academic Research Program in the West Bank, Palestine, or would like to receive an application form, please write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org with “Fieldwork and Academic Research Program” in the subject.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
