Palestine and Israel Internship: Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, retiree, or just someone interested in the political history, human rights, Palestinian refugees, or current situation, the Palestine and Israel in Context Internship program is for you! With the ability to hear the opinions of everyday people and understand, grasp, and witness the effects of the conflict firsthand, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain insider knowledge beyond the headlines.
In particular, if you’re a current student of humanities, political sciences or Middle Eastern studies and looking to frame your knowledge within a cultural context, this internship program in Palestine is particularly pertinent to you as you will explore the occupation in the West Bank as well as meet Palestinian civillians, local human rights activists and families who are subject to Israeli military law.
In addition to these great opportunities, you will also be provided with an Arabic language course tailored to your level. With tuition three hours a week, you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in your surroundings by chatting with local Palestinians, ordering food in restaurants, and more. Therefore, for those looking to enhance their knowledge of Arabic, experience cultural immersion, and conduct political research, consider our program to gain an in-depth, personalised internship.
Palestine and Israel Internship for 2026-2027
Volunteer in Palestine is now accepting applications for its Palestine and Israel Internship Program for 2026-2027. This program offers a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about social justice, human rights, and international relations. Interns will have the chance to work on projects in Palestine, meet Palestinian people directly affected by the occupation, and gain insight into the complex political and social dynamics of the region.
Through collaboration with local NGOs, Palestinian community organizations, and advocacy groups, interns will contribute to peace-building efforts and engage with Palestinian communities. This is a meaningful opportunity for those seeking to make a tangible impact in one of the most historically significant regions in the world.
Table of Contents
Looking for Summer Internships?
Volunteer In Palestine works with and is supported by the Palestinian Educational Authority, meaning that university credits are available for many of its summer internship programs, making this particular program a desirable internship opportunity. If enrolled in this program as an intern, students will gain a broader perspective on the Israeli/Palestinian situation.
Interns will have the opportunity to create dialogues on the contemporary situation in Palestine with university staff and students, lawyers, human rights actors, local politicians, as well as everyday people. This summer internship is ideal for students who are seeking a unique, hands-on experience.
Support Materials to Help You Get Started
To help participants transition smoothly into their new environment, a range of support materials is provided upon arrival. These resources are carefully designed to answer common questions and offer guidance on both practical and cultural aspects of life in Palestine. They play a key role in helping participants feel comfortable and well-prepared from the very beginning.
Among these resources is the Orientation Guide for participants in Volunteer in Palestine, which introduces the program structure, expectations, and key information about daily life. In addition, the Travel Guide to Palestine offers essential advice on transportation, local customs, and important locations, helping participants navigate their surroundings with ease.
Participants also receive a Daily Schedule Guide, which outlines their weekly activities, classes, and responsibilities. Together, these documents ensure that participants can quickly find their rhythm, understand their commitments, and fully engage in their experience from day one.
Community-Based Outreach Activities
Designed to increase your knowledge of the conflict, you will act as a cultural ambassador for your country by spearheading community outreach programs for cross-cultural communication. For example, you will visit Palestinian refugee camps and discuss the geopolitical circumstances of Palestine with local politicians and activists.
Examples of outreach activities in Hebron, Palestine, include organizing educational workshops (such as conversational English lessons for Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees), CV and employment workshops, and computer programming workshops. Furthermore, we are flexible and are happy to help you design and deliver a workshop for any skill you’d like to teach.
Moreover, in Hebron, you can organize community sporting events, informational and cultural presentations, and others of your choice. But don’t worry, you won’t have to go through it alone, as you will work with local Palestinians to enact these programs and gain inspiration from them. The sky’s the limit at Volunteer In Palestine!
The Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Palestine
Mornings
Volunteering in Palestine requires commitment and flexibility. Volunteers usually work around 30 hours per week (10:00–17:00) and have two days off (Friday, when the center is closed, and one additional day of your choice).
Each morning, breakfast is shared at the center and includes traditional Palestinian foods such as bread, olive oil, za’atar, hummus, labneh, falafel, and fresh vegetables. Staff, volunteers, and interns sit together, creating a warm, communal atmosphere and a chance to connect.
Afternoon
Volunteer in Palestine also facilitates regular afternoon excursions to Hebron and neighboring cities throughout the week. Participants learn Arabic, visit refugee camps, take part in community activities, and also lead workshops and classes.
Evening and Weekends
Evenings are generally free time, giving volunteers the opportunity to relax after the working day or explore Hebron at their own pace. Many choose to spend this time with fellow volunteers or colleagues, meeting each other at the center, cooking together, or enjoying shisha in a social setting, as well as discovering local cafés, restaurants, and cultural or historical sites around the city.
Trips to nearby areas such as Halhul and Masafer Yatta are also common. Weekends provide a welcome break from the routine and are an opportunity for rest, travel, and independent exploration, including overnight stays away from Hebron.
What You Will Contribute
As an intern in the Palestine and Israel in Context Internship Program, you will not only be studying the issues at hand but also working with us to create constructive programs geared towards benefiting members of the Palestinian community, e.g., designing workshops that address fundamental cultural differences.
At Volunteer in Palestine, we want to invite people from around the world to come to Palestine and utilize their expertise to help the people of Hebron.
Benefits of interning in Hebron, Palestine
- 12 hours of Arabic lessons for each month you intern
- Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or a shared flat
- Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
- Pre-departure and support during your time in Palestine
- Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron (including refugee camps, the old city, different factories, etc.)
- Understanding of Palestinian politics and the experience of occupation in the West Bank
- Getting to know the human rights situation and helping the Palestinian refugees.
- Engagement in educational, social, and community activities
- Palestinian hospitality and a pleasant climate
- Living and gaining impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East
- The opportunity to visit unique tourist attractions with a native perspective – including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- Visiting nearby cities both nationally and internationally, such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth
- Help from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds
- A certificate upon completion
Schedule For Volunteers
You will be expected to work approximately 30 hours a week, from around 9 am until 5 pm, and from Saturday to Thursday, with two days off. One of your days off will be Friday, and another day of your choice.
Every morning, international volunteers start the day with breakfast at Volunteer In Palestine. Breakfast is shared with Palestinian teachers, volunteers from other programs, and the directors of the center, offering you exposure to traditional Palestinian foods such as labneh and the opportunity to practice your Arabic further. From here, you will have the chance to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron that the Volunteer in Palestine coordinates alongside your program’s commitments. Evenings are typically free, although we will organize occasional optional activities as part of our commitment to showcasing Palestine’s culture.
In addition to your work on your program, you will also have your own Arabic class schedule and time to prepare for any workshops that you oversee. This is alongside your free time, where you are welcome to undertake excursions to other cities.
Indeed, you may be surprised by how fast your schedule will fill up and how quickly your time will fly!
Who Can Participate?
Volunteer In Palestine does not discriminate on any basis, and this includes nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernible means. Furthermore, we have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe including: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, China and New Zealand.
Are there any requirements for participants?
- Colloquial in either Arabic or English
- Between the ages of 18 and 75 (unless granted special permission by the Center’s director)
- A positive attitude, eagerness, and openness to learn
Program Accommodation
During your time in Hebron, Palestine, you will have the opportunity to reside with a Palestinian host family, giving you the valuable chance to immerse yourself completely in the Arabic language as well as to have a rare look into Palestinian culture and life. This means taking part in family meals, witnessing and attending Palestinian cultural events, and seeing the ins and outs of daily life.
However, if a host family should be unavailable (which will only apply to male participants), there is the option to reside in a nice shared apartment in the city center, just a five-minute walk from the center. In either case, you will have plenty of opportunities outside of your time with the center to immerse yourself completely in Palestinian culture.
Program Costs & Information
Our fees are priced competitively with other abroad programs, with the stated costs below covering the following expenses:
- Housing
- Language courses
- Center’s operating costs
- Breakfast (Mon – Fri)
- Group excursions
Palestine and Israel Internship Program: Overview
| Place of Internship Program | Hebron, West Bank, Palestine |
| Program Fees (Per Week) | Price List |
| Age | 18-75 |
| Duration | 1 – 13 weeks |
| Internship Program Focus | The Politics of Palestine and Israel Israel and Palestine Case Politics and History of Palestine Human Rights in the West Bank |
| Perfect for Anyone Interested in | Middle Eastern studies Conflict and refugee studies Politics in the West Bank Human rights in the West Bank |
| Number of Participants | Variable (3-6) |
| Expected Working Hours | 30 hours per week |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| University Credit | Available |
| Program Language | English |
A Flexible Program
Volunteer In Palestine in Hebron will work with you to shape this volunteer position to suit your experience and skills. As we are very flexible, you will be able to choose the activities and workshops you’re interested in implementing during your time with us.
Looking for volunteers year-round, you decide when you would like to start, and we organize things accordingly. You can volunteer anywhere between 1 and 13 weeks.
What do the Programs in Palestine include?
| Program Content |
|---|
| A homestay with a Palestinian family or a stay in a nice apartment |
| Family breakfast during the work week |
| 3 hours of Arabic per week (can be increased to 6, 9, or 12 hours for an additional fee) |
| Guided tours in Hebron’s Old City |
| Visits to Palestinian refugee camps |
| 24/7 support during your time in Palestine |
| Certificate upon the completion of the program |
| Cultural immersion activities throughout your stay |
Arabic Classes For Program Participants
All of our international volunteers and interns receive 3 hours of Arabic class per week with an experienced and knowledgeable Palestinian teacher. Additionally, there are plenty of chances to meet many people in Palestine, allowing you to learn and practice your Arabic skills further. But that’s not all, because as a thank you for your time with us, you can freely choose what dialect of Arabic you would like to learn from the following list:
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Colloquial Shami/Levantine Arabic (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine)
- A mixed program between MSA and colloquial dialects
If you are unsure which dialect to study, we can guide and help you choose the one most appropriate for your needs; however, they are all beneficial, and our teachers are all very knowledgeable.
What is the Program’s Language?
The Palestine and Israel in Context Internship is geared toward English speakers; however, for the sake of immersion, the higher the course level, the less English will be utilized in the classroom. Furthermore, when navigating through Hebron, you will be required to utilize your Arabic skills to the best of your ability, creating a fully immersive experience.
Safety Of Our Volunteers And Interns
The region of Palestine is perpetually unstable. While there is always unrest and war, the situation sometimes becomes more volatile. Nonetheless, each year, millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank, including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities without any safety issues. Palestinians in general are a welcoming and hospitable people, and they recognize that the politics of a country may differ from its people.
Since its formation in 2011, the Excellence Center/Volunteer In Palestine has welcomed over 1,000 international visitors. These visitors have lived and worked in Hebron for weeks or months at a time, and overall, they never faced any threats or safety issues while in Hebron or the West Bank in general.
Additional Services and Customization Options
Additional Arabic Language Hours: Participants can add extra weekly Arabic lessons for a more intensive learning experience.
Private Accommodation Options: Participants may choose a private room or an apartment located just 3 minutes from the center.
Family-Friendly Housing: Families with children are welcome, with suitable accommodation options available for a comfortable stay.
Combined Study and Practical Experience: Participants can combine Arabic language study with volunteer or internship programs for a more hands-on experience.
Online Arabic Lessons: Available before and after the program to support continued language development.
Awards & Recognitions
Volunteer in Palestine has proudly earned several Community Awards, including recognition as the Best Arabic Language School overseas, one of the best Online Programs for Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Providers, and the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities abroad in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. For further details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- Check out our latest awards here
- +1000 Reviews (96.8%) on Gooverseas.com
- +190 Reviews (9.3/10) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Summary
The Palestine and Israel in Context Internship program in the city of Hebron, West Bank, is for anyone who is looking to put their foot through the door of Palestinian community development, as well as those who are interested in diplomacy, human rights, Palestinian refugees, and political science. If you are looking to make a difference and be open to new experiences and cultural immersion, this internship program in Palestine is for you!
How To Apply
If you are interested in participating in our Israeli–Palestinian conflict program, please write to us at info@ecpalestine.org CC Mr. Rafat Shantir at Rafat@excellencenter.org. We aim to respond to your initial inquiry within 1 – 2 business days. In the subject line of your email, write, “The Palestine and Israel in Context Internship program.” Upon writing back to you, we will attach an application form, which you will fill out and return to us to begin the onboarding process.
Related Volunteer Programs
How To Get Further Information
For more information, please visit our websites:
Excellence Center: https://excellencenter.org/
Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/
Travel to Palestine: https://traveltopalestine.com/
WhatsApp: +972 599 479 880
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
