Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program through Volunteer in Palestine offers a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of Palestinian children and youth. The program, based in Hebron, West Bank, welcomes both native and non-native English speakers, as well as students, graduates, professionals, and retirees who are eager to enhance the English and life skills of local students.

As a volunteer with Volunteer in Palestine, you will have the chance to visit local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and villages around Hebron, where you can make significant contributions to the Palestinian community. By participating in this program, you’ll help students gain valuable skills and knowledge while immersing yourself in their culture and way of life. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone passionate about education, community development, and making a difference in the West Bank, Palestine.

Immerse Yourself in Palestinian Culture 

Our Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program is designed to fully immerse you in Palestinian culture and forge strong relationships whilst challenging you as a person. You will be working alongside the Palestinian men, women, and children of the local area – allowing you to meet plenty of new people, study a new language, and learn more about the local Palestinians and refugees living in and around Hebron.

Once you arrive at Volunteer in Palestine and complete your personalized orientation, you will have the opportunity to design and create your workshops aimed at benefiting Palestinian children and youth. These workshops will make up the majority of your workload during your time in the West Bank, Palestine.

Previous workshops created by volunteers have included:

• Fun days for Palestinian children in the refugee camps
• Conversational English language courses
• Arts and music courses for disabled children
• Media training for students
• Environmental camps for students
• Mathematics lessons
• Drama lessons
• Journalism workshops for high school students
• Medical workshops, such as first-aid courses

As long as you have the willingness to participate, this volunteer program in the West Bank is open to everyone aged 18 – 70 years old from all countries, all majors, and all walks of life.

Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program in the Summer

Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program Summer Program is ideal for you if you are seeking to engage with and volunteer with Palestinian children and youth in the summer. This volunteer program is especially suitable for university students who are looking for internships to gain practical, in-person experiences in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East.

While we operate our Volunteer in Local Schools in Palestine Program year-round, we also have dedicated summer volunteer programs specifically designed for students looking for opportunities to volunteer abroad in teaching and volunteering with children and youth while gaining credit toward their studies. Thanks to collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, Volunteer in Palestine can grant academic credit to our already enrolled university students. 

Please note that as students in Palestine have school holidays in the summer, our summer program will be a little different from when it runs throughout the rest of the year. However, there will still be many exciting and different opportunities to participate in, no matter whether you join us in the summer or any other time.

We invite you to join this program to make the most of this excellent chance to travel throughout the summer, obtain practical experience in a related profession, and work towards your degree all at the same time.

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 are interested in learning more, please click here.

Internship opportunities in Gaza are primarily centered 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’re interested in 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.

Experience the Palestinian School System

In this volunteering program in the West Bank, Palestine, we would like to bridge the gap between the students in Hebron and the international volunteers who come to the Center. This is for two reasons: 

1) To allow the students to become familiar with foreign nationals

2) To enable you to directly experience and understand the Palestinian school system yourself

Many Palestinians in Hebron have never met or talked to a foreign national due to the Israeli Occupation limiting the prospects for Palestinians to travel abroad as well as greatly limiting the tourism industry in Hebron. Palestinian students may experience a range of emotions when meeting with internationals, some might be a bit scared and shy and some will be very excited and eager to communicate with you and learn more about you. 

While Palestinians learn English in school, they have limited opportunities to practice speaking English with fluent English speakers (whether native or non-native). This program helps to bridge that gap, by connecting international English speakers with Palestinian children and youth. This will not only help them improve their English through practice but also help them improve their confidence, which will benefit not only their English but their overall self-esteem. 

This program also gives you, as a participant, a unique insight into the Palestinian school system by experiencing it for yourself. This allows you to both learn and teach at the same time. You will have the opportunity to learn from other teachers and students, while also getting practical experience through participating and teaching.

General Information About the Program:

A Flexible Volunteering Program

As a participant in the Volunteer in Local Schools in Palestine Program, you are welcome to choose what kind of activities you would like to organize during your program and if you would like to work with certain target groups (for example, children of a certain age).

We understand that our international participants have different skills, interests, and circumstances, so we are very flexible with the kinds of activities and experiences you wish to have. We also make the program length very flexible, anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, so you can choose the option that best suits you. 

A Wide Range of Impact 

Our Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program in Hebron, West Bank is well-researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian life, education, teaching English, 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”. Our programs foster shared and mutual learning, for both our community and our volunteers and interns. When you take on the role of a volunteer teacher, you not only help others learn, but you will learn so much from your students, which will have an impact on your life even after you leave Palestine. 

 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.

When You Arrive in Hebron, Palestine

Before deciding on a schedule, volunteers will be welcomed to the Center and given an orientation about Hebron and Palestinian culture, including both Arabic classes and an introduction to Palestinian culture.

For you to be as involved as possible in the Palestinian community and culture, the Center will provide you with accommodation with a Palestinian host family who will help you in your acclimatization and with any issues that might arise. Male volunteers may instead stay at the Volunteer in Palestine male dorm.

After the introductory week, as mentioned before, you will then get to decide what kind of activities to develop and present to your students, based on your knowledge, interests, and level of experience. You will be given a lot of control over this process.

Which Kind of Activities Can You Organize?

At Volunteer in Palestine, we strive to provide our volunteers with a flexible and customized experience that aligns with their interests and goals. We are happy to work with you to create a volunteering plan that suits your preferences and skills.

Currently, our program offers a variety of opportunities, including:

• Teaching conversational English to Palestinian children, youth, and refugee children in local schools in and around Hebron.
• Planning and organizing interactive activities such as painting, photography, and writing workshops.
• Organizing activities aimed at entertaining refugee children in Hebron.
• Assisting in organizing weekly workshops for Palestinian refugees on educational-related subjects such as writing resumes and formal emails, teaching employment skills, and educational writing skills.
• Helping Volunteer in Palestine’s staff in administration-related activities, such as writing articles and reports and printing materials for the students.

By participating in our program, you can gain valuable experience and make a meaningful contribution to the local community. We look forward to working with you to create a volunteering plan that aligns with your interests and goals.

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 Comes to Volunteer? 

Volunteer in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis, this includes a person’s 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 those from: 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, China and New Zealand. 

Although the majority of our volunteers are aged 18 and above here in Palestine, if you are younger than 18 please feel free to contact us and discuss volunteering possibilities. We have welcomed volunteers up to the age of 75 in the past and we have programs suitable for everyone with any specialization and interest.

When Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program, You Should Be:

• Willing to work with diverse Palestinian children, youth, and school students
• A student or graduate who seeks teaching experience
• Someone interested in the educational system in Palestine
• An interest or major in English or education
• 18+ and willing to make an impact on the local community 
• Someone who desires to help the future leaders of Palestine

What Do You Need to Be a Volunteer in a Local School in Palestine?

• 18+
• The ability to communicate in English
• The ability to work with an international team
• Patience and enthusiasm
• To be eager to learn

What Don’t You Need to Be When Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program?

• The ability to speak Arabic
• Travel or work experience
• To be a native speaker of English
• A degree in English or any specialization
• Experience in teaching English as a foreign language

Do I Need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate?

No, having a TEFL certificate is not a requirement as you will be provided with a teaching manual and all the necessary resources and materials.

A Typical Day at Volunteer in Palestine

You will be expected to work approximately 25-30 hours a week, from around 10 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 hummus and the opportunity to further practice your Arabic. You may arrange to have your lunch whenever you have a break in your schedule, and it is easy to find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, shawarma, and falafel near Volunteer in Palestine.

During the day, you will also have the opportunity to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron that are coordinated by Volunteer in Palestine 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. During the evenings, our volunteers often arrange to go to a cafe to study or socialize, have dinner at a restaurant together, spend time with their host family (only for female volunteers), or go to a local gym.

In addition to your work on the local schools program, you will also have your 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!

Benefits of Volunteering:

Our volunteer in local schools program in the West Bank, Palestine offers many benefits including:

• Living in Hebron, and undertaking trips to the old city, holy sites, and more during your time
• Gain practical teaching experience and experience working with Palestinian children, students, and youth
• Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals
• 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week 
• Well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you
• Exposure to daily life in Hebron, Palestinian culture and society
• Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family or in our male apartment
• The opportunity to eat and enjoy local Palestinian foods and desserts
• Palestinian cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities
• Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with a particular native perspective, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
• The ability to visit nearby cities as well as those in Jordan including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth
• A participant’s certificate upon completion.

When Does the Volunteering in Local Schools in Palestine Program Accept Volunteers?

Volunteer in Palestine welcomes international volunteers for the Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program year-round and allows volunteers to decide when they would like to start their program. We are very flexible with starting and ending dates, and you can choose your volunteer period anywhere between 1 and 13 weeks.

We understand that everyone has different schedules and availability, so we work with each volunteer to create a program that fits their individual needs. Whether you want to volunteer for a few weeks during your summer break or for several months during your gap year, we can help you design a program that aligns with your goals and availability.

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

Do I Need a Visa to Volunteer in the West Bank, Palestine?

Most of Volunteer in Palestine’s participants in the Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program receive a tourist visa for three months (90 days) when they fly into Israeli airports or cross the checkpoint from Jordan to the West Bank. This tourist visa is sufficient to participate in any of our programs. 

In general, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, Britons, Australians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine (and Israel), as these interns usually qualify for the visa exemption agreement. When you arrive at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat or the land border, you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days which allows you to travel in Palestine and Israel.

Summary

Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine is the perfect opportunity for university students, graduates, those taking a sabbatical or gap year, and people who are looking to make a difference in the lives of Palestinian children in Hebron, Palestine. How you as a volunteer can apply your skills are nearly endless. You will not only get to volunteer and have an impact but you will be immersed in Palestinian culture and get to learn a lot about Palestine.

During your program, you will get to engage with the local community, particularly Palestinian children and youth. You will get the opportunity to learn first-hand about the Palestinian school system and participate in it. There are many potential activities you can choose to do in this program, such as running conversational English classes, art, music, drama, dance workshops, or workshops in media, journalism, healthcare, and medicine. This program is very flexible, so you will be able to engage in the activities and areas of interest of your choosing. 

Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program is a unique experience that will shape your perspective for years to come. Whether you are a native or non-native English speaker, you are welcome to participate in our programs. No matter your level of Arabic, you are also welcome and will have the opportunity to learn Arabic for the first time or build upon your existing Arabic level. 

How to Apply?

If you are interested in volunteering with us at Volunteer in Palestine, please send an email to Rafat@excellencenter.org with the subject line “Volunteering in the Palestinian School Program“. We will send you the application form to get started on your journey with us.

Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the application process. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make a positive impact on the lives of Palestinian children and youth.

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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